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Additional Speaking Tips
Becoming a Good Speaker
Delivery
Practice for the speaking part of the test by recording your response. Listen to the recording and identify problem areas.
- Is your voice loud enough? Does your voice go too quiet at the end of phrases? Make sure you maintain a loud enough tone.
- Are your words clearly articulated? Do you mumble? Speak clearly.
- Do you speak too quickly when you are nervous? Pace yourself. Take a deep breath just before beginning to speak. Pause for a moment between sentences.
- Do fillers distract from your message? Fillers are words such as "um", "okay", "you know", "like", "so", and "well". Your speech should be free of these fillers and be fluid.
- Do you repeat yourself? Say it once with confidence and then move on to the next point.
- Are your intonation patterns appropriate? Listen to native speakers in online podcasts, news show commentators on official news sites, or other sources. Identify how the speaker's voice sounds when delivering the main point of the message as well as the supporting points. Practice speaking in a similar way.
- Do you pronounce words correctly? Have a native speaker test your pronunciation of the reading materials in the speaking section, since you will have to use some of the academic or campus related vocabulary in your response.
Language use
The development of a vocabulary adequate for the speaking portion of the TOEFL test will come as you prepare for the other parts of the test. Remember that the TOEFL is a test of your integrated skills.
Topic Development
Outline your response in much the same way you would a written response. You only have 15 to 30 seconds to prepare, so keep it to single words that will keep you on track as you speak.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you don't have time for an outline. Think of it as wearing shoes to run in a race. It gives you the foundation you'll need to answer well.
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