How to prepare for an interview in TOEFL speaking?

“Is the speaking in the TOEFL test totally different from the IELTS? Is there a different type of preparation needed for the TOEFL Speaking?

There is no interview in the TOEFL speaking test. Some people think that the Test of English as a Foreign Language has the same setup of speaking test with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam where examinees are to be assessed in an interview type of test. The TOEFL speaking test is an internet-based examination. Candidates for the said examination need not worry about native English speakers examiners. All they have to worry is to understand English language in an academic context.

The TOEFL test uses English in its academic context. This means that the tasks in the speaking test has something to do with academic topics or scenarios are set in an academe. People who will take the TOEFL test find it difficult if they are not ready and not informed about the flow of the exam. How can one prepare for the test?

• Know the basics of the examination. There are six tasks in the exam. Tasks are divided into independent tasks  (questions 1 and 2) and integrated tasks (questions 3 to 6). Independent questions ask for the personal opinion of the examinee while integrated tasks evaluate the person’s ability to summarize ideas on both given lecture and reading passages. 

• Independent tasks are quite hard as you have to come up with ideas in as short as 15 seconds. Write answers in words or phrases. Create the sentences in your head.

• Integrated tasks’ responses need to be outlined. Always start off with an introduction followed by the main points from the reading or the lecture. Avoid repeating what you have heard or read. Remember that you are evaluated on how well you understood the material not with the details on the notes you have. 

• Use transition words. These transitions will help you separate your ideas. Further, these will also create a smooth flow of ideas in your response. 

• Do not worry if you are not familiar with the topic in the integrated tasks. It will not ask about your prior knowledge but on how well you comprehend the given material. 

• Read on the web or review manuals on common topics used in both the independent and integrated tasks. 

• Practice. There are a lot of TOEFL review centers with TOEFL speaking coaches who can provide assistance in perfecting your speaking skills. They provide outlines in every task for starters and comments to better responses. 

Speaking is easier when you know the common topics of the exam. Preparation and exposure to different practice materials will help candidates ready for the TOEFL speaking test. 

For more TOEFL Tips toeflreview.blogspot.com.

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.