What are the Differences between the TOEFL Speaking and IELTS Speaking Tests?

Have you experienced delivering a speech in front of an audience? Have you talked in front of someone that gave you cold feet?

source: www.sheknows.com

Speaking exams are sure to be very nerve racking. However, different English proficiency examinations have different styles in setting up their speaking examinations. Like with the two most popular English proficiency exams here in Philippines, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) have the most challenging speaking examinations.

The TOEFL and the IELTS are different in many ways. For starters, TOEFL and IELTS use different materials to be able to administer an examination. The TOEFL uses English in its academic context while IELTS is more on social setting. What are the other differences? Here is what you should know about the differences of the test, particularly the speaking section of both examinations.

• Test Administration
Since TOEFL is a computer-based examination, the candidates will have to answer questions which are already fed into the cache system. They are given a few seconds to prepare followed by a response. The response will then be recorded and uploaded to the cache servers. The IELTS will have a native-English speaker evaluate someone during the examination. Follow-up questions are given that promotes an active discussion between the interviewee and the interviewer.

• Tasks
The IELTS have three tasks on any social topic like history, family, education, history and many more while the TOEFL speaking test have six different tasks: two independent and four integrated ones. In the TOEFL, it is very academic that having the right notes and vocabulary will make the test easier.

• Physical setup
Candidates for the IELTS are facing their interviewer while TOEFL test takers only need to sit in front of the computer and listen to pre-recorded conversations. TOEFL workstations most of the time look like an internet café that makes responding to the questions a little awkward as other people can hear you.

• Duration
The speaking test in the TOEFL runs for about thirty to forty-five minutes. In the IELTS, the speaking interview will only take fifteen minutes – fast yet really challenging.

• Style
The IELTS is more on an open conversation while the TOEFL is academic. In the IELTS, most students are led into good conversations between them and the interviewer. This is a good chance for the candidate to hit the answers to the questions correctly. The TOEFL is academic that what candidates have to practice taking down notes, gathering thoughts in a limited time and giving responses in within or less than a minute.

These are basically the differences between the two English exams. Know more about them with your review centers.