The TOEFL speaking section involves the test takers responding to 4 tasks/prompts by speaking to a microphone system. It is the third part of the test which assesses the ability of the candidates to speak in the English language in academic settings. Test takers are evaluated on the basis of their ability to express their opinions clearly and cohesively.
In this blog, we have discussed the TOEFL iBT test speaking section, along with the types of tasks, their formatting, way of answering prompts, marking system, and preparation tips.
Table of Contents
TOEFL Speaking Section: An Overview
- TOEFL iBT tests speaking section consists of 4 tasks or prompts- task 1 (independent speaking task) and tasks 2-4 (integrated speaking tasks).
- The total duration of the TOEFL iBT test speaking section is 16 minutes, with 4 minutes allotted for each task.
- Similar to other sections, the speaking section remains the same for both home and test centre editions.
- TOEFL iBT tests speaking section’s tasks are those that test takers encounter in their academic and daily lives.
| 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 the independent speaking task 1 of the TOEFL iBT test, candidates are allowed to speak on the topic of their choice.
- The topic may vary depending on the test taker.
- Through this task, test takers are evaluated on the basis of their ability to form opinions and ideas and organise them constructively.
- Test takers must speak on the topic clearly and cohesively.
- After deciding on a topic, test takers are given 15-30 seconds to plan their response, during which they can write important points for their reference.
- After this, they are given 45-60 seconds to speak up on the topic.
TOEFL iBT Test Speaking Section: Task 2-4 (Integrated Speaking)
Integrated Speaking Tasks 2-3
- In the integrated speaking tasks 2-3 of the TOEFL iBT test, candidates are required to utilise their reading and listening skills before speaking on the topic or prompt provided to them.
- In task 2 of the TOEFL iBT test speaking section, test takers will be asked to read a short passage on an academic topic.
- After reading, they will listen to audio lectures on the same topic and will be provided 30 seconds to plan their response.
- They will get 60 seconds to speak up on the topic.
- In task 3 of the TOEFL iBT test speaking section, test takers will be asked to read a short passage on a general topic.
- After reading, they will listen to audio lectures on the same topic and will be provided 30 seconds to plan their response.
- They will get 60 seconds to speak up on the topic.
Integrated Speaking Task 4
- In the integrated speaking task 4 of the TOEFL iBT test, test takers will be asked to listen to a part of the academic topic.
- They will get 20-30 seconds to plan their response and 60 seconds to summarise it.
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 TOEFL Speaking Scored?
- The TOEFL speaking section is scored between 0-30.
- The speaking section score is then added up with the rest of the section’s scores to derive a final total score, which is between 0-120.
- The speaking section has five proficiency levels.
- Where a test taker’s score falls within that range, it tells their proficiency for that skill.
| 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
Below, we have presented some useful preparation tips for the TOEFL iBT test speaking section that will help test takers achieve their desired score in the exam.
Firstly, go through the pattern and format of the TOEFL speaking section.
- Work on your grammar and vocabulary every day.
- Work on pronunciation, intonation, and stress for better clarity
- Build up your note-taking and verbal summarisation skills
- Engage with podcasts, TED Talks, and English news channels to get used to different accents and speech patterns.
- Mimic native speakers to improve fluency and pronunciation.
- Use the official ETS TOEFL test kit and practice with speaking prompts.
Key Takeaways by Smart Academy
The TOEFL Speaking Section comprises four tasks: independent speaking task and three integrated speaking tasks. These tasks evaluate the test taker’s ability to speak in English in academic settings by assessing their skills in expressing opinions, summarising information, and synthesising ideas from reading and listening materials.
Responses are recorded and evaluated by ETS, ensuring a fair assessment of the candidate’s spoken English proficiency in academic and real-world contexts.
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.
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.
