TOEFL iBT speaking

[Tino]

First everyone complained about TSE, now everyone complains about IBT.... why, because

1) It is hard
2) It is frustrating to complete everything, but this one test
3) Because people do not understand how the ibt speaking is graded and/or cannot bring themselves to believe it

The speaking is scored based on how natually and normally your English is. Giving the perfect answer is STUPID! DUMB! IGNORANT! They do not care about the answer, they care about how you speak. Of course 15 seconds or 45 seconds or 60 seconds is really short. What does that tell you? They do not expect you to give them some genius lecture with deep insight into the question of "Is it better to live in a dormitory or off campus housing?", they just want to hear if you can speak English reasonably well!

Now of course if you totally misunderstand the question or answer 100% about something else, you will get a low score because you obviously did not understand the question, but that is NOT THE FOCUS.

Listen friends to my advice here please:

"Imagine you are talking to a friend. Speak naturally and with out reflection. Don't worry about mistakes. Don't think about what you just said, JUST KEEP TALKING, bullshiting is OK!. Pauses are ok! "Umm, ahhh" is OK! A wrong word is OK! What is important is natural, smooth, fearless talk. Do that, without too much accent, and you will get 26+"

Tino

PS: Sorry to be so strong, but I really want to make this point! They really do not care what you answer, they care HOW you answer. It seems like a simple concept, but I think most test takers do not understand it, and more importantly, refuse to apply it!

[Tseprep]

Originally Posted by Tino

First everyone complained about TSE, now everyone complains about IBT.... why, because

1) It is hard
2) It is frustrating to complete everything, but this one test
3) Because people do not understand how the ibt speaking is graded and/or cannot bring themselves to believe it

The speaking is scored based on how natually and normally your English is. Giving the perfect answer is STUPID! DUMB! IGNORANT! They do not care about the answer, they care about how you speak. Of course 15 seconds or 45 seconds or 60 seconds is really short. What does that tell you? They do not expect you to give them some genius lecture with deep insight into the question of "Is it better to live in a dormitory or off campus housing?", they just want to hear if you can speak English reasonably well!

Now of course if you totally misunderstand the question or answer 100% about something else, you will get a low score because you obviously did not understand the question, but that is NOT THE FOCUS.

Listen friends to my advice here please:

"Imagine you are talking to a friend. Speak naturally and with out reflection. Don't worry about mistakes. Don't think about what you just said, JUST KEEP TALKING, bullshiting is OK!. Pauses are ok! "Umm, ahhh" is OK! A wrong word is OK! What is important is natural, smooth, fearless talk. Do that, without too much accent, and you will get 26+"

Tino

PS: Sorry to be so strong, but I really want to make this point! They really do not care what you answer, they care HOW you answer. It seems like a simple concept, but I think most test takers do not understand it, and more importantly, refuse to apply it!

First what I agree: Just keep talking, bullshiting, natural, smooth, fearless answer. How you answer is the key!

What I disagree: Long pauses (2 seconds or more) more than once per question. More than 5 "Umm, ahhh" I will also add "Andddd, Wellll," etc. This is different from talking to a friend, and how you answer is very, very important.

Talking too fast, answers too short all these things will give you a lower score.

Of course this is my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[brunorafaelli]

Hey guys, how are you doing?

It was such a relief to see that you guys faced the same problem as I have been dealing in this past months. I´ve tried the TOEFL test 3 times just ´cause of the "Speaking" part. The last two tests I scored 24.

I have seen several posts here asking for someone to practice the Speaking part through MSN, but I would like to propose a study group that would get online at the same time and that would practice the Speaking part. I don´t know, maybe just for discussing experiences or even presenting alternatives to improve this part of the test.

Does anyone volunteer to participate in this study group online? I would be available every day at night, or Saturdays and Sundays. My time-zone is Sao Paulo, Brazil.

I have a goal to pass this test on October 18th, and I will do whatever it takes to make it! Thanks for reading this guys.

Hey guys,

I wrote something similar in another topic, but summarizing, I have been dealing with the same situation: I scored 24 on the speaking part 2 times, and I need 26.

What I would like to propose is a study group that would meet online in a certain time. The goal is to improve the Speaking skills and to discuss problems on this part of the test.

What do you guys think about that?

I hope to hear from you.

[frenzgood]

That's a gr8t idea. I also suffered from same problem as I got 23 in speaking that let me down. May I know wat time do u wanna be online. I'm in Utah (USA).
Frenz

[brunorafaelli]

Hey Frenz, thanks for your reply. I appreciate that you support the idea.

We can set up an online meeting for tonight. I will be connected all night long, and if nobody else shows up we can chat anyway. Do you have skype or MSN? What do you think about getting online around 8:00 PM (Ohio time - I am not sure, but I think this is the eastern time)? I will be online. My username for skype is "brunorafaelli" and for MSN is brunorafaelli@yahoo.com.br.

Thanks again.

[Tseprep]

Originally Posted by brunorafaelli

Hey Frenz, thanks for your reply. I appreciate that you support the idea.

We can set up an online meeting for tonight. I will be connected all night long, and if nobody else shows up we can chat anyway. Do you have skype or MSN? What do you think about getting online around 8:00 PM (Ohio time - I am not sure, but I think this is the eastern time)? I will be online. My username for skype is "brunorafaelli" and for MSN is brunorafaelli@yahoo.com.br.

Thanks again.

Once, you start, I am sure others will join in. Good Luck!

[JonhDR]

hi Tseprep,

Thanks for your response . All your posts are quite informative, keepup the good work.

best of luck to you in your prep.

[Tseprep]

Originally Posted by JonhDR

hi Tseprep,

Thanks for your response . All your posts are quite informative, keepup the good work.

best of luck to you in your prep.

Thanks JohnDr,

I hope you will get your score you need soon, good luck!

[purplevalleys]

it sounds great. I'm also very anxious about speaking. I'd like to join with you so. I now stay at home all day round, in Vietnam. May I add you?
Ly.

[vaishu_sathya]

Hi everyone. Nice to hear from all of you. Really this gives me good inspiration after my two attempts. I took this exam twice and same story as others, got 22, 23 in speaking section. we have to find out ways to clear this. I am pretty intrested in joining your group. see you there.