The TOEFL iBT Speaking section is one of the most important parts of the new TOEFL test because it evaluates a student's ability to use English in real academic and everyday situations similar to those found in a university environment. The TOEFL speaking section requires several essential skills, including listening, comprehension, sentence repetition, expressing opinions, and participating in academic discussions.
In the new TOEFL test, students are evaluated across four core language skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. These skills together reflect the student’s actual ability to use English effectively in both academic and real-life contexts.
This article provides a detailed explanation of the TOEFL iBT Speaking section in the new TOEFL 2026, along with practical examples from training exercises found in preparation materials. These examples help students better understand the types of questions they may encounter and allow them to practice in a realistic and effective way.
What Is the TOEFL Speaking Section?
The speaking section is the fourth and final part of the TOEFL exam and typically takes about 8 minutes to complete. It focuses on a student’s ability to communicate clearly and fluently in English.
In this section, test takers are usually asked to listen to or read a specific situation and then respond verbally. The goal is to demonstrate clear pronunciation, organized ideas, and effective communication.
Many exercises in the TOEFL speaking section are based on scenarios that resemble university life, such as:
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Assisting students on campus.
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Interacting with library or laboratory resources.
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Participating in academic discussions.
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Taking part in interviews or sharing personal experiences.
These situations help students practice using English in real-world contexts rather than memorizing theoretical answers.
Task One: Listen and Repeat
One common activity in the TOEFL iBT Speaking practice is the Listen and Repeat task. In this type of exercise, the student listens to a sentence and repeats it once.
Example of the task format:
“You are trained to assist students in the bookstore. Listen and repeat the sentences only once.”
This exercise helps students develop several important speaking skills, including:
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Accurate pronunciation.
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Quick response time.
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Speaking fluently.
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Direct comprehension of spoken sentences.
Examples of practice sentences include:
“This is the main bookstore for students and faculty.”
“Textbooks are located along the wall on the right.”
“Notebooks, folders, and calculators are on the left near the windows.”
“School merchandise is located in the back near the changing rooms.”
“The checkout counter is located near the entrance for your convenience.”
“If you are unable to find an item, our staff can assist you or arrange a special order.”
“Please retain your receipt, as it's required for returns and end-of-term textbook buybacks.”
These exercises simulate real situations students might experience in a university setting, such as working in a campus bookstore or assisting other students.
Examples of Listen and Repeat Tasks:
1. Training in Campus Environments:
The TOEFL speaking section often includes exercises based on university environments where students practice explaining instructions or guiding others.
For example, students may be asked to assist visitors in an aquarium:
“You are being trained to help visitors at an aquarium. Listen to your trainer and repeat what he says. Repeat only once.”
Students then repeat sentences such as:
“Welcome everyone and here are your tickets.”
“The information desk is for inquiries.”
“The tropical fish exhibit has many colorful species.”
“We have a shark exhibit with a thrilling underwater view.”
“Please visit the penguin enclosure for a fun experience.”
“We also highly recommend visiting our famous gift shop for souvenirs.”
“As you're walking through the exhibit, check this board for special show times and feedings.”
This type of task measures the student's ability to communicate instructions clearly and effectively.
2. Training Inside a University Laboratory:
Another example involves working inside a university research laboratory, which is a common academic scenario.
The instructions may begin as follows:
“You are being trained to help students navigate the University Research Lab. Listen to your trainer and repeat what he says. Repeat only once.”
Students then repeat sentences such as:
“Please sign in over here at the entrance.”
“Please go and find your assigned workstation.”
“You should observe the proper use of chemical storage.”
“The safety equipment is located here behind the desks.”
“The fume hood should always be used for hazardous materials.”
“To prevent accidents from occurring, we insist on proper waste disposal procedures.”
“To ensure everyone's protection, all students must wear approved safety gear at all times.”
These exercises help students practice understanding and delivering academic instructions clearly.
3. Using University Library Resources:
Another scenario often practiced in the TOEFL iBT Speaking preparation involves helping students use university library resources.
Example instruction:
“You are being trained to help students use the university's library resources.”
Students may repeat sentences like:
“Search for items you need on the computer.”
“The bookshelves are located over here.”
“Our quiet study area has strict rules about noise.”
“The help desk is available to assist with research questions.”
“Printers are available to patrons for document printing.”
“Our workstations can also be used during library hours for online research.”
“When you're finished using them, please return checked-out materials promptly and on time.”
These exercises reflect real situations students may encounter during their university studies.
Task Two: Interview
Another task in the TOEFL speaking section focuses on interviews and personal experiences.This part typically includes four questions, and each question has a fixed response time of 45 seconds. The timer begins immediately once the microphone opens and cannot be stopped until the time is finished.
The questions usually increase in difficulty and follow this order:
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Personal memory or experience – You talk about something that happened to you.
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Preference question – You explain something you prefer and provide examples.
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Opinion question – You express and analyze your opinion.
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Extended opinion – You provide a deeper explanation and analysis.
Example Interview Question:
Example prompt:
“Thank you for being here today. I'm conducting a study on how people engage with their communities, especially through volunteering.”
The interviewer then asks:
“Have you ever volunteered your time, energy, or skills to support a cause, organization, or local event? If so, what kind of volunteering did you do, and what was that experience like?”
Example response:
“Recently, I experienced volunteering at a local charity event that supported underprivileged families. At that time, the main goal was to help organize food packages and manage the event smoothly.”
This type of question evaluates the student’s ability to describe personal experiences clearly and coherently.
Academic Discussions in TOEFL iBT Speaking:
One of the most important components of the TOEFL speaking section is the academic discussion task, which resembles classroom discussions at a university.
Example instruction:
“Your professor is teaching a class on environmental economics. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.”
Students are then asked to:
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Express and support their opinion.
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Contribute to the discussion in their own words.
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Provide a response of at least 100 words.
Example Academic Question:
The professor presents the following issue:
“In many countries, governments offer subsidies or tax credits for electric vehicles (EVs). Some people believe these incentives are essential to reduce carbon emissions and speed up the transition away from fossil fuels.”
Others argue:
“Subsidies are expensive and mainly benefit higher-income consumers, and that governments should invest in public transportation instead.”
The question is:
“What is your opinion? Why?”
Students’ Opinions in the Discussion:
In the training example, students present different viewpoints.
Lena says:
“I support EV subsidies because they help more people afford cleaner technology.”
Marcus offers a different perspective:
“I think public transportation is a better use of money.”
This type of discussion evaluates the student’s ability to:
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Analyze different viewpoints.
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Form a personal opinion.
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Support arguments with examples and reasoning.
Skills Measured in the TOEFL Speaking Section:
Through the different exercises, the TOEFL iBT Speaking section measures several important skills, including:
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Speaking fluently.
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Clear pronunciation.
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Organization of ideas.
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Ability to express opinions.
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Participation in academic discussions.
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Interaction in university-style situations.
These skills are essential for success in an English-speaking academic environment.
Tips for Success in TOEFL iBT Speaking:
To achieve a high score in the TOEFL speaking section, students can follow several effective strategies:
1. Practice Listening and Pronunciation:Repeat sentences aloud regularly to develop natural fluency.
2. Learn to Organize Your Answer:Start with a main idea and support it with a reason or example.
3. Use Real-Life Examples:Examples make your answers clearer and more convincing.
4. Practice Academic Discussions:Try speaking about different academic topics.
5. Improve Academic Vocabulary:Using academic vocabulary makes your responses stronger and more advanced.
Conclusion:
The TOEFL iBT Speaking section focuses on using English in both academic and real-life situations. Through various exercises, students learn how to repeat sentences, explain instructions, participate in discussions, and express their opinions in a structured and organized way.
Regular practice with these tasks helps students improve their communication skills in English, which is the primary goal of the TOEFL exam.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is the TOEFL speaking section difficult?
It is not difficult if students practice speaking regularly and learn how to organize their answers clearly using examples and reasons.
What is the score for the TOEFL speaking section?
The TOEFL speaking section is scored from 0 to 30 points as part of the overall TOEFL score.
How much preparation time is given in TOEFL iBT Speaking?
Preparation time usually ranges between 15 and 30 seconds before speaking.
How long are the speaking responses?
Responses typically last 45 to 60 seconds, depending on the task.
Can I retake the TOEFL to improve my speaking score?
Yes. You can retake the entire TOEFL exam to improve your TOEFL iBT Speaking score.
