TOEFL Speaking: How to plan, organize, and time your answers.

What to do in the planning time?

You don't have time to write full sentences in the planning time and later you won't have time to read full sentences.  I would recommend deciding your opinion in your head and then simply writing two ideas on the page for speaking part 1. You might only write just a couple of words on the page: your notes primarily are there to guide your thoughts and help you remember what topics to cover. For speaking parts 2, 3, and 4 the process is very similar - just change it for the relevant main idea and supporting details. Make sure you vary your transition words and phrases as appropriate

QUESTION - TOEFL SPEAKING PART 1: “Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should help their parents with household chores as soon as they are old enough. Use details and examples in your response.”

15 seconds to prepare

45 seconds to respond

EXAMPLE TOEFL SPEAKING PLAN

(Agree) decided in my mind - not written down.

• It teaches them responsibility

• It shows them how to keep a clean house

In reality - it might even be shorter to save time

EXAMPLE TOEFL SPEAKING PLAN (TIME-SAVING VERSION)

(Agree) decided in my mind - not written down.

• Responsibility

• Keep clean
  
  

Question One Guide

Below I have written a suggested template that you can use to help you organize your response for TOEFL speaking part 1. The format is very similar for the other sections, just change the transition words and phrases as appropriate.

Main Point (Choose one)

“I support the notion that…”

“I feel it is best to…”

“In my opinion…”

“It is a terrible idea to…”

“From my perspective…”

“In my view…”

First Reason

“First…” + “For example…” (and an example)

CHECKPOINT - 25 seconds - with 25 seconds remaining you need to start your second reason

Second Reason

“Second…” + “To be more specific…” (and a few more examples)

Summary

To sum up, I feel this way for two previous reasons.

• TIP - The majority of the points are available for the points and details not for the introduction and not for the summary: focus your effort on supporting your reasons.

  TIMING YOUR TOEFL SPEAKING RESPONSE

  I have written CHECKPOINT at 25 seconds in the plan above. This means that for TOEFL speaking part 1 - you need to be on your second reason with 25 seconds remaining. Otherwise, it is likely you will spend too much time on your first reason and run out of time to cover your second one. For questions 2,3 and 4, which are 60 seconds long, you can use a checkpoint at 30 seconds to remind you to move on to your next point.

NEXT STEPS?

I hope that you have enjoyed reading this blog.  If you have any questions regarding the test or would like to inquire about my writing correction services or TOEFL online classes please email me at info@lovetolearnenglish.com. 

Teacher - Mr. Richard Forrest