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Rammy · 08-31-2006, 01:10 AM

Hi Friends,
Today I registered for TOEFL iBT and practiced free test on ETS website. In the speaking section, I don't understand what they are expecting from test takers. How can one listen some new concept and reproduce it accurately with in 20 sec and read and listen a lecture reproduce it with 30 sec. Its bit hard bcause I need 26 in speaking for my licence. God knows why don't NABP accepts IELTS score or some other scores and sticking with ETS. God help us. Can someone give some suggestions to get good score in speaking.
Thanks in advance.

Rammy

Tino · 09-01-2006, 08:37 PM

Don't worry about the academic side of it! Just speak!

So many students worry about giving the right answer, but really that matters little! They are listening to your English. Your accent, your use of grammar and vocab, your style (smooth and natural, halting, labored, etc....).

Just answer something, anything, but try to speak relaxed and natural, and do not stress about the right answer, or even getting "cut off" by the end of the recording.

Tino

Tseprep · 09-02-2006, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tino

Don't worry about the academic side of it! Just speak!

So many students worry about giving the right answer, but really that matters little! They are listening to your English. Your accent, your use of grammar and vocab, your style (smooth and natural, halting, labored, etc....).

Just answer something, anything, but try to speak relaxed and natural, and do not stress about the right answer, or even getting "cut off" by the end of the recording.

Tino

Be careful, they will listen to the answer, if your answer has nothing to do with the question, you will get lower score or even "0". While I doubt that you will get a zero, it will be a non-passing (meaning less than 26 for most people) score.

Kurogane · 09-04-2006, 07:22 AM

Oh,TOEFL iBT speaking section is that hard?I think I 'd better take IELTS instead...

Tseprep · 09-11-2006, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurogane

Oh,TOEFL iBT speaking section is that hard?I think I 'd better take IELTS instead...

Some people prefer one test over others, it has been my experience that, Ielts speaking and ibt speaking, is about same in difficulty level, some of my students like the face to face interview, while others like the recording. However both is easier compare to TSE.

pimpilalai · 09-11-2006, 08:37 AM

Hi Friend,

After failing TSE for more about 8 times (score 45), I took the TOEFLibt. Look at my scores. Can you tell that the 2 tests suck. Why can't they just do the interview test?

Test

Test Date

Reading

Listening

Speaking

Writing

Total

TELXML

June 16, 2006

27

24

23

25

99

TELXML

July 7, 2006

26

24

21

95

TELXML

August 18, 2006

29

19

27

104

How mucvh money, time and energy do I have to spend on these tests?
I am so depressed now.

Pim

Kurogane · 09-11-2006, 01:13 PM

Has anyone here taken the TOEFL iBT test?I wonder what the speaking section is like,I mean what kind of questions will be asked( besides some questions such as" How are you feeling?..."

Tino · 09-11-2006, 06:04 PM

Pim, Looks like your score is getting better (104!). Don't get depressed! I don't know the order of the report, so which score was your speaking score? Are you trying to get 26?

Kuro,

There are 6 speaking questions:
2 are independent. These are pretty normal, they ask you a question and you have 45 seconds to answer. Sample: "Describe the city that you live in." or "Some people like to watch movies, others prefer books. Which do you like and why?"

The point is to speak English, their is no right or wrong answer.

Then there are the 4 "integrated" speakings. These combine two skills then you have 1 minute to answer. For example, you will see a memo about new rules on campus about parking. Then you will hear a conversation between 2 students. The students are complaining about the new parking rules because one of the students just got a new car, but now she can't aford the new parking rates. Then you will be asked to speak: "What has happened that the two students are talking about, what is the problem, and what possible solutions are presented?"

On these integrated questions they are testing your speaking AND your reading and listening, so your answer does need to correctly reflect what was written and said, but you can take notes during the test on scratch paper, so just jot down the main points, and then just repeat.... it is not complicated, but it can be difficult to get an answer together, and speak it in one minute!

Tino

Tino

wolga · 09-11-2006, 08:52 PM

Pim,
I faced the same problem. I have taken the new TOEFL IBT three times and my scores jump up and down, except speaking part. My speaking score remains the same-23. The most descouraging is the fact that it is doesn't matter how I feel after the exam , bad or good, the score stays the same. So, it depends very much on people who rate our responses. Just do your best and study harder! Always remeber that hard work pays you back. We need a little bit of luck and we will make it.
My best wishes,
Olga

Kurogane · 09-12-2006, 06:51 AM

To Pim, it seems that you get better and better at many fields like grammar, reading,listening...,but not at speaking( not yet

).I haven't taken so many interviews,therefore I don't have much experience. Try your best,pal

To Tino,thank you very much.Your information really helps.I will try to practise and get used to this.Thanks,hope you always succeed.

To Wolga,no need to worry so much,ok?Just take it easy,try each day, and get better each day.Don't sweat it.

Keep on going,friends.

08-31-2006, 01:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rammy Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 23	TOEFL iBT speaking Hi Friends, Today I registered for TOEFL iBT and practiced free test on ETS website. In the speaking section, I don't understand what they are expecting from test takers. How can one listen some new concept and reproduce it accurately with in 20 sec and read and listen a lecture reproduce it with 30 sec. Its bit hard bcause I need 26 in speaking for my licence. God knows why don't NABP accepts IELTS score or some other scores and sticking with ETS. God help us. Can someone give some suggestions to get good score in speaking. Thanks in advance. Rammy

09-01-2006, 08:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tino TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 803	Don't worry about the academic side of it! Just speak! So many students worry about giving the right answer, but really that matters little! They are listening to your English. Your accent, your use of grammar and vocab, your style (smooth and natural, halting, labored, etc....). Just answer something, anything, but try to speak relaxed and natural, and do not stress about the right answer, or even getting "cut off" by the end of the recording. Tino _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Housing for International Students in California

09-11-2006, 08:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
pimpilalai Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 12	Both TOeflibt and TSE suck Hi Friend, After failing TSE for more about 8 times (score 45), I took the TOEFLibt. Look at my scores. Can you tell that the 2 tests suck. Why can't they just do the interview test? Test Test Date Reading Listening Speaking Writing Total TELXML June 16, 2006 27 24 23 25 99 TELXML July 7, 2006 26 24 24 21 95 TELXML August 18, 2006 29 29 19 27 104 How mucvh money, time and energy do I have to spend on these tests? I am so depressed now. Pim

09-11-2006, 06:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tino TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 803	Pim, Looks like your score is getting better (104!). Don't get depressed! I don't know the order of the report, so which score was your speaking score? Are you trying to get 26? Kuro, There are 6 speaking questions: 2 are independent. These are pretty normal, they ask you a question and you have 45 seconds to answer. Sample: "Describe the city that you live in." or "Some people like to watch movies, others prefer books. Which do you like and why?" The point is to speak English, their is no right or wrong answer. Then there are the 4 "integrated" speakings. These combine two skills then you have 1 minute to answer. For example, you will see a memo about new rules on campus about parking. Then you will hear a conversation between 2 students. The students are complaining about the new parking rules because one of the students just got a new car, but now she can't aford the new parking rates. Then you will be asked to speak: "What has happened that the two students are talking about, what is the problem, and what possible solutions are presented?" On these integrated questions they are testing your speaking AND your reading and listening, so your answer does need to correctly reflect what was written and said, but you can take notes during the test on scratch paper, so just jot down the main points, and then just repeat.... it is not complicated, but it can be difficult to get an answer together, and speak it in one minute! Tino Tino _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Housing for International Students in California

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09-04-2006, 07:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kurogane Eager! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Viet Nam Posts: 35	Oh,TOEFL iBT speaking section is that hard?I think I 'd better take IELTS instead...

09-11-2006, 01:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
Kurogane Eager! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Viet Nam Posts: 35	Has anyone here taken the TOEFL iBT test?I wonder what the speaking section is like,I mean what kind of questions will be asked( besides some questions such as" How are you feeling?..."

09-11-2006, 08:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
wolga Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 21	Pim, I faced the same problem. I have taken the new TOEFL IBT three times and my scores jump up and down, except speaking part. My speaking score remains the same-23. The most descouraging is the fact that it is doesn't matter how I feel after the exam , bad or good, the score stays the same. So, it depends very much on people who rate our responses. Just do your best and study harder! Always remeber that hard work pays you back. We need a little bit of luck and we will make it. My best wishes, Olga

09-12-2006, 06:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
Kurogane Eager! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Viet Nam Posts: 35	To Pim, it seems that you get better and better at many fields like grammar, reading,listening...,but not at speaking( not yet ).I haven't taken so many interviews,therefore I don't have much experience. Try your best,pal To Tino,thank you very much.Your information really helps.I will try to practise and get used to this.Thanks,hope you always succeed. To Wolga,no need to worry so much,ok?Just take it easy,try each day, and get better each day.Don't sweat it. Keep on going,friends.

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