Introduction

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1. 1.Information on the TOEFL iBT

AThe Format of the TOEFL iBT

B What Is New about the TOEFLiBT?

• The TOEFLiBT is delivered through the Internet in secure test centers around the world at the same time.
• It tests all four language skills and is taken in the order of Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
• The test is about 2 hours long, and all of the four test sections will be completed in one day.
• Note taking is allowed throughout the entire test, including the Reading section. At the end of the test, all notes are collected and destroyed at the test center.
• In the Listening section, one lecture may be spoken with a British or Australian accent.
• There are integrated tasks requiring test takers to combine more than one language skill in the Speaking and Writing sections.
• In the Speaking section, test takers wear headphones and speak into a microphone when they respond.The responses are recorded and transmitted to ETSs Online Scoring Network.
• In the Writing section, test takers must type their responses. Handwriting is not possible.
• Test scores will be reported online. Test takers can see their scores online 48 business days after the test and can also receive a copy of their score report by mail.

2. 2.Information on the Speaking Section

The Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT measures test takers English speaking proficiency. This section takes approximately 16 minutes and has four questions. The first question is called Independent Speaking Task, and you will be asked to speak about a familiar topic based on your personal preference. The remaining three questions are Integrated Speaking Tasks, and you will be required to integrate different language skillslistening and speaking or listening, reading, and speaking.

A Types of Speaking Tasks

• Task 1 Independent Speaking Task: Personal Preference

This task will ask you to make and defend a personal choice between two possible opinions, actions, or situations. You should justify your choice with reasons and details.

You will be given 15 seconds to prepare your answer and 45 seconds to say which of the two options you think is preferable.

• Task 2 Integrated Speaking Task: Reading & Conversation

This task will ask you to respond to a question based on what you have read and heard. You will first read a short passage presenting a campus-related issue and will then listen to a dialogue on the same topic. Then, you will be asked to summarize one speakers opinion within the context of the reading passage.

You will be given 30 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to speak on the question. You should be careful not to express your own opinion in your response.

• Task 3 Integrated Speaking Task: Reading & Lecture

This task also asks you to respond to a question based on what you have read and heard. You will first read a short passage about an academic subject and will then listen to an excerpt from a lecture on that subject. Then, you will be asked to combine and convey important information from both the reading passage and the lecture.

You will be given 30 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to speak on the question.

• Task 4 Integrated Speaking Task: Lecture

In this task, you will first listen to an excerpt from a lecture that explains a term or concept and gives some examples to illustrate it. Then, you will be asked to summarize the lecture and explain how the examples are connected with the overall topic.

You will be given 20 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to respond to the question.

B Types of Speaking Topics

• Personal Experience and Preference

The question in Task 1 will be about everyday issues of general interest to test takers. For example, a question may ask about a preference between studying at home and at the library, a preference between living in a dormitory and an off-campus apartment, or a preference between a class with a lot of discussion and one without discussion.

• Campus Situations

The question in Task 2 will be about campus-related issues. For example, a question may ask about a university policy, rule, or procedure, future university plans, campus facilities, or the quality of life on campus.

• Academic Course Content

The question in Task 3 will be about academic subjects. For example, a question may ask about a life science, a social science, a physical science, or a topic in the humanities like animal domestication or economics.

The question in Task 4 will also be about academic-related topics. For example, a question may ask about a process, a method, a theory, an idea, or a phenomenon of any type in fields like natural science, social science, or psychology.

C Important Features of Evaluation

• Delivery

Delivery means how clear your speech is. In order to get good grades on the speaking tasks, you should speak smoothly and clearly, have good pronunciation, pace yourself naturally, and have natural-sounding intonation patterns.

• Language Use

Language use is about the effectiveness of your use of grammar and vocabulary to express your ideas. In order to get good grades on the speaking tasks, you should be able to use both basic and more complex language structures and choose the appropriate words.

• Topic Development

Topic development is related to how fully you respond to the question and how coherently you give your ideas. In order to get good grades on the speaking test, you should make sure that the relationship between your ideas and your progression from one idea to the next is clear and easy to follow.