TOEFL iBT Test Speaking Section: Tasks Types, Format & Prep Tips
The TOEFL speaking section requires test takers to respond to 4 prompts by speaking to a microphone system. It assesses the ability of the candidates to speak in the English language in academic settings. Candidates need to express their opinions clearly and cohesively. Through this blog, you will get to know about the TOEFL speaking section, along with the task types, format, ways of answering prompts, marking system, and prep tips.
- TOEFL Speaking Section: An Overview
- TOEFL iBT Test Speaking Section: Task 1 (Independent Speaking)
- TOEFL iBT Test Speaking Section: Task 2-4 (Integrated Speaking)
- What Skills Are Evaluated in the TOEFL Speaking Section?
- How is the TOEFL Speaking Scored?
- Preparation Tips for TOEFL iBT Test Speaking Section
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
TOEFL Speaking Section: An Overview
- The TOEFL iBT speaking section includes four tasks, one independent speaking task (Task 1) and three integrated speaking tasks (Tasks 2–4).
- The entire section is designed to be completed in approximately 16 minutes, with around 4 minutes allocated for each task.Â
- These speaking tasks are structured to mirror real-life scenarios that students commonly encounter in both academic and social settings.
| Features | TOEFL iBT Exam (Centre & Home Edition) |
|---|---|
| No. of Tasks/Prompts | 4 |
| Types of Tasks | Task 1: Independent Speaking Task (4 minutes) Task 2-4: Integrated Speaking Tasks (4 minutes each) |
| Text Sources | Academic subjects Contemporary topics Social and Personal Life |
| Total Duration | 16 Minutes |
TOEFL iBT Test Speaking Section: Task 1 (Independent Speaking)
- In Task 1 of the TOEFL iBT speaking section, known as the independent speaking task, candidates are asked to speak on a topic of personal choice.Â
- The subject may vary for each individual, and this task assesses the test taker’s ability to express opinions, develop ideas, and structure their thoughts in a coherent manner.
- Test takers should ensure their responses are clear, well-organised, and relevant. They are given 15–30 seconds to prepare and jot down key points before speaking, followed by 45–60 seconds to deliver their answer.
TOEFL iBT Test Speaking Section: Task 2-4 (Integrated Speaking)
Integrated Speaking Tasks 2-3
- Tasks 2 and 3 of the integrated speaking section in the TOEFL iBT test require candidates to combine their reading and listening skills before responding to a given prompt.
- In Task 2, test takers read a brief academic passage, then listen to an audio lecture related to the same topic. They are given 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to deliver their response.
- Similarly, in Task 3, candidates read a short passage on a general topic and listen to a corresponding audio clip. They are again given 30 seconds to plan and 60 seconds to articulate their answer..
Integrated Speaking Task 4
- In Task 4 of the integrated speaking section of the TOEFL iBT test, candidates are required to listen to a segment related to an academic topic.
- They will be given 20 to 30 seconds to prepare their response, followed by 60 seconds to deliver a summary of what they heard.
What Skills Are Evaluated in the TOEFL Speaking Section?
The TOEFL iBT speaking section assesses the following skills in a test taker.
- Organisation & Ideas Development
- Summarisation & Fulfillment
- Vocabulary
- Pronunciation & Clarity
- Grammar & Sentence Structure
- Listening Comprehension
- Fluency & Clearance
How is the TOEFL Speaking Scored?
- The TOEFL speaking section is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 30.
- This score is combined with the scores from the other sections to calculate the overall TOEFL iBT score, which ranges from 0 to 120.
- The Speaking section is divided into five proficiency levels, and the range in which a test taker’s score falls indicates their level of spoken English proficiency.
| Reading Section Score | Level of Proficiency |
|---|---|
| 0-9 | Below Basics |
| 10-15 | Basics |
| 16-19 | Low Intermediate |
| 20-24 | High Intermediate |
| 25-30 | Advanced |
Preparation Tips for TOEFL iBT Test Speaking Section
Here are some effective preparation tips for the TOEFL iBT Speaking section that can help candidates achieve their target score.
Start by familiarising yourself with the format and structure of the Speaking section.
- Consistently improve your grammar and vocabulary.
- Focus on refining your pronunciation, intonation, and word stress to ensure clearer speech.
- Develop strong note-taking abilities and practice summarising spoken content verbally.
- Listen to podcasts, TED Talks, and English-language news channels to become comfortable with various accents and speech styles.
- Imitate native speakers to enhance fluency and pronunciation.
- Lastly, utilise the official ETS TOEFL test kit and regularly practice with speaking prompts to build confidence and accuracy.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
The TOEFL speaking section includes four tasks, one independent and three integrated. These tasks are designed to measure a test taker’s ability to speak clearly and effectively in academic settings. They assess how well candidates express their opinions, summarise information, and combine ideas from reading and listening materials.
All responses are recorded and reviewed by ETS to ensure a fair and accurate evaluation of the speaker’s English proficiency in both academic and real-life situations.
FAQs
How long is the TOEFL speaking section?
The total duration of the TOEFL iBT test speaking section is 16 minutes, with 4 minutes allotted for each task.
Where to practice for the TOEFL iBT test speaking section?
You can practice the TOEFL iBT test speaking section with the official ETS TOEFL guide and mock tests available. Additionally, you can join the SMART academy to prepare for the TOEFL exam comprehensively with expert mentors and trainers.
How many tasks are there in the speaking section of the TOEFL iBT test?
There are four tasks in the speaking section of the TOEFL iBT test. Task 1 is the independent speaking task, and task 2-4 includes integrated speaking tasks.
Who grades TOEFL speaking?
The TOEFL speaking section is graded by the combination of AI scoring and certified human trainers with the help of a centralised network.Â
What is a good score for the TOEFL speaking section?
A score between 20-30 is considered good for the TOEFL speaking section, which strongly demonstrates the candidate’s high proficiency in speaking skills.
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