New format for toefl ibt speaking questions after February 2010

[PT4s3]

I took TOEFL test once in December, February and March and I noticed a change in format of question 1 - asking about negative opinion, describe why it is important to students etc. As Jason said I think ETS is experimenting with different questions.

[rainman72]

Rainman 72,

I don't know what you are up to but I assure that Jason Renshaw is an excellent TOEFL teacher. He is not a scam. I can say that he is one of the experts about TOEFL speaking, according to my experience. All of my friends passed the TOEFL speaking because of his help. Many people and I respect him. Please do not be angry at me. I know that you are stressed out from taking this test but please do not take it on him.

Thank you for your understanding. I will not respond with you further about this issue on this thread . I would like to see people in the forum being nice to each other. There are many polite ways to express disagreement. Please...please..be kind....

Good luck on your future endeavors.

Thank you knock for your reply, I was frustrated when I saw this topic, we already having time & we don't need anyone to confuse us, and then Mr. Renshaw came with his nice words about me, so I had to reply.

Thanks anyway

[rainman72]

Thank you for your support Knok.

Actually, rainman72 is still currently a member of my TOEFL speaking mentor program, and has been since October last year! While I do wonder why someone would continue to pay for a service they (evidently) feel is "nothing special" and a "scam", I also wonder why rainman72 has never once personally contacted me to express his concerns or dissatisfaction. It's not exactly pleasant to see things expressed with these words and in this manner on a public forum where people ought to be dedicated to being helpful and collaborative. All I can say is, the pressure and frustration associated with TOEFL and not getting a required passing score over a long period of time can obviously bring out the nastier side of us, but there have to be limits.

Rainman72, I have contacted you privately to discuss these issues you have (which is how things should have been handled from the start), along with a recommendation you cancel your subscription if you really feel it isn't helping you. If, on the other hand, this is just a moment of frustration and you want to continue with my program, I'd like you to know that you are still welcome.

Getting back to the main topic here, according to reports from my students, there are now actually THREE possible question types/variations appearing for Question 1 in the speaking section:

A. Talk about a person/place/event (etc.) ~ the one we're all pretty much used to
B. Talk about something you don't/didn't like (basically working with a negative topic angle)
C. Give advice to a friend about ....

I'm not sure whether ETS is just experimenting with new question variations, or is in fact trying to broaden the range of prompts to make the test more challenging for preparation purposes (goodness, it was tough enough before!). The important thing to remember is that, despite the difference in question frame and direction, your answer can still be aligned along a central strategy:

1. State your topic
2. Describe
3. Give reasons and support them

If you're wondering how the "describe" factor applies to the "advice to a friend" topic variation, basically it would mean "describe what you would say to your friend" or "explain the specific advice you would give". Following that you would provide some reasoning for this suggestion, hopefully with examples to back them up.

The same essential answer style/strategy should help you handle any of these potential variations in question prompt for independent speaking task 1.

Best wishes to all test-takers,

~ Jason

Mr. Jason, thanks for your reply, I would like to tell you that I am still a member until now , because I forgot how to have access to your member page, I forgot my password. I remember I joined your writing & speaking and I cancelled the writing and I thought I cancelled the speaking, but thanks for reminding me. Thank you for your effort I wish you all the success in helping us to pass this nightmare.

[toeflpbt]

Hi Rainman72
I am sorryto hear about the situation.
I believe if the person is passing from tension, he or she should not write any bad words that affects anyone.
Here Jason Renshaw who is an amazing tutor and not a scam 100 percent and if some uses bad words for him then it is the matter of shame.
I firmly believe here moderator should not allow these type of posts at any cost.
Many people are in the same situation but it does not mean you write whatever you want.
toeflpbt

[zealotrichie]

I just took the toefl iBT test today...
it's my 2nd time... I did not notice any change in the speaking section.
No worry guys

[sea35]

i sent you e mail can you look it

[bravesoldier]

Agree with Mr.Jason



There are noticeable changes for the first question of the speaking section....

I think they have added a new type to their question pool....

It was sth like

Which one of these choices would you prefer/not prefer or like/not like or something similar...:

1st choice
2nd choice
3rd choice

So when preparing for the exam just consider that type too...

[dacral]

First question of speaking section was different than what I practiced.

[Englishraven]

Thanks for the info/confirmation.

Just out of curiosity, may I ask if you can recall the framing of the question?

Was it:

A. Which of the following three would you not like... (a, b, or c)?

or

B. What would you not like ... (for example a, b, or c)?

It's an important difference, because A is framed in a way which means you MUST address one of the three options. B, on the other hand, is suggesting three options but they are there as suggestions only and you could choose one of them or choose a different topic.

It really does have me baffled, because if question 1 now asks you to choose between three options, it's basically a CLOSED topic type (like question 2), but ETS have always claimed question 1 is an "open choice" topic.

Arrrggh! Why are ETS changing the rules as they go? Students have a right to know what to expect!

~ Jason

[Gloria8]

Hi Jason,
I agree that there is definitely some change in the speaking pattern. First, I have experienced the change on Jan 30 which you guys are talking about.
It was like:
Which of these A, B, C would you not like.......

Second, I have experience it again this saturday ( on April 10th). This time it was like:

For the first question:

Which one of the following do you choose as a career and why?
Choice A
Choice B
Choice C

For the second question:

Which one of the following do you prefer and why?

Choice A
Choice B
Choice C

Hope this helps!!!!
This is definitely new type of format for the first two questions. I was also surprised to look at the new pattern. Nevertheless, I did well and Hopefully I will get through this time by the grace of God Almighty. The horse is made ready for the day of battle but the victory belongs to God.