toefl speaking

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. Why does the TOEFL iBT include a Speaking section?

The focus of the TOEFL iBT is on communicative competence and tests your ability to use English to communicate effectively in an academic setting. Speaking is a key communication skill, along with listening, reading, and writing, and has an important place in the TOEFL iBT assessment.


2. Why are the answers for some of the questions in the TOEFL iBT Speaking section based on reading and/or listening passages?


Speaking tasks that combine reading and/ or listening passages with speaking are called integrated tasks. They are included in the TOEFL iBT in recognition of the fact that to succeed academically in English-speaking colleges and universities, students need to be able to combine all their English-language skills - in reading, listening, and speaking, as well as writing - inside and outside the classroom.


3. How much reading and listening will I have to do for the TOEFL iBT Speaking section?

The reading and listening passages that are associated with the integrated tasks vary in length but are all quite brief. Reading passages range from approximately 75 to 100 words and the listening passages are generally between 60 and 90 seconds long. In addition to being short, the listening and reading passages are not intended to be difficult. They are designed to provide you with clear and accessible information to use in answering the speaking questions.


4. May I take notes at all times during the Speaking section?

Yes. You may take notes at any time during the Speaking section - while reading the written passages, listening to the spoken dialogues or lectures, and preparing your responses. While you listen to the dialogues or lectures and take notes, you should not try - to unite down word for word everything you hear. If you try to do this, you will probably miss hearing important information. Similarly, while preparing your spoken response, do not try to write out an answer that you will then try to speak. You will not have enough time to write out a full response, and raters will be rating you on your ability to speak, not on your ability to read aloud from a text that you have written. Instead, you should use your preparation to review whatever notes you have taken and to organize your ideas.