English Speaking Practice

TOEFL Speaking — 10 New episodes! Free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Published May 19, 2021

In each of the following episodes, I have included two TOEFL Independent Question One responses. There are many ways you could practice with these recordings in order to develop your speaking without a partner:

Read the question and try your answer by recording yourself on your smartphone’s voice recorder app. Listen back and make note of any slips and long pauses. Then, record again and compare the second recording to the first.

You could also listen to the model answer from the podcast and mimic the phrasing, intonation and pronunciation.

If you want to challenge yourself to copy the accent, you might decide if you want to adopt an accent when you speak English, or if you prefer not to.

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe on Apple Podcast or Spotify where you can download the episodes and listen while you’re on the go 🙂

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TOEFL Speaking Topics — Travel, Language learning, Research

Published March 24, 2021

I’ve published model answers to TOEFL Independent Speaking Questions every Monday in this month. Each episode features two model answers. I’ve also published video transcriptions to my Instagram.

Question 1: Which do you think is more helpful to the students: internet materials or textbook materials? Why do you think so?

Question 2: Some people like to do indoor activities in their free time, and others prefer to enjoy outdoor activities; which do you prefer and why?

Question 1: Some people believe it’s essential for a person’s education to learn to play a musical instrument. Others don’t believe music education is important. Which view do you agree with? Explain why.

Question 2: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? All children should be required to learn a second language in school.

Question 1: When some people visit a city or country for the first time, they prefer to take an organized tour. Other people prefer to explore new places on their own. Which do you prefer and why?

Question 2: When looking for information for a research project, some students prefer to get their information mainly form the Internet. Others prefer to mainly use printed materials such as books and academic journals. Which do you prefer, and why?

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TOP Tips for TOEFL

Published February 27, 2021

Top tips for TOEFL

Reading and Listening

Get used to the computer-based test, especially the 10 question types for reading and listening.

Use TEDtalks for listening practice. TED.com is a great resource for three reasons:

It’s got lots, and lots of materials.
It’s free.
There’s an interactive transcript.

These three reasons make it the single best resource for learning in English on the Internet.

Speaking

Practice audio-recording your speaking with the strict time limit.
And learn to maximize the time in speaking.

Writing

Practice writing essays that follow the standard format for each type of writing.
And learn to touch-type so that you can write faster on the laptop, and thereby write a long and more accurate essay.

Grammar

For higher scores in writing and speaking, learn how to use complex sentence structures including dependent clauses, adjective clauses, and prepositional phrases.
Learn how to show the connections between your ideas by using linking and reference words.

Sleep quality and well-being

Understand that anxiety is normal when taking tests.
Sleep well every night of the week before your test.
This will be easier if you make time for 30-minutes of intense exercise every day.

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How-to Master TOEFL Speaking — Fluency At Your Fingertips

Published February 2, 2021

In the past month or so, I have begun recording sample answers to TOEFL iBT Speaking Question 1. This series of podcasts contains 2 or 3 sample answers each episode. I am continuing to publish more every Monday to Apple Podcast and Spotify. I have also created videos which I have published to my Instagram.

Some people think that family members are the most important influence on young adults. Others believe that friends are the most important influence. Which do you agree with?

Some students would prefer to live with roommates. Others would prefer to live alone. Which option would you prefer?

Some people prefer to go to the movie theatre; others prefer to stream a movie online. Which do you think is better?

Some think the college experience is essential; others think it is not. What is your opinion?

Some people like to watch action movies; others prefer to watch comedies. Which type of movie do you prefer?

In the following two episodes, I have shared a first try and a second try. I always try to improve my recordings after a first try. I will rerecord my speeches until the flow is logical and there are no long, awkward pauses.

Many universities now offer academic courses over the internet. However, some people still prefer learning in traditional classrooms. Which do you think is better? Why?

What do you miss most about your home when you are away?

Remember that the time for TOEFL iBT Independent Speaking is 15 seconds for preparation and 45 seconds for speaking. If you go over the time limit, the recording will be cut off in the test.

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Meals at home and dining out — IELTS Model Answers

Published December 6, 2020

Key concept — For variety in practice, chose some topics that are simple and others that are more complex.

Part 2: Describe a restaurant you went to recently.

Part 3: How important do you think it is for families to eat meals together?

Part 3: Do you think food prepared at home is always better than food prepared in restaurants?

Part 3: Why do people go to restaurants when they want to celebrate important occasions?

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TOEFL iBT Model Answers — Independent Speaking

Published October 27, 2020

Beginning in 2019, the new TOEFL iBT is shorter than before. Instead of six questions on the speaking test, there are four questions. The total time is about 20 minutes. Whereas there were two independent tasks before, there is now only one. This is question number one. The other three of the four questions are integrated skills: spoken summaries of reading and/or listening.

In question one, the independent question, the preparation time is 15 seconds, and the response time is 45 seconds. Below are my examples of the basic question types: compare two or three options, agree/disagree and advantages/disadvantages.

Some people enjoy taking risks and trying new things. Others are not adventurous; they are cautious and prefer to avoid danger. Which behavior do you think is better?

Some people think it is more fun to spend time with friends in restaurants or cafes. Others think it is more fun to spend time with friends at home. Which do you think is better?

Imagine that you have just begun studying at a new university. Which of the following do you think would be the best way for you to learn about the new campus?

A. a second-year student gives you a personal tour of the whole campus

B. you are given a detailed map of the campus designed by the student services department

C. you join a group tour of the campus together with all the other new students