TOEFL Integrated Speaking

Overview

There are three basic types of integrated speaking

• (Q2) Read, Listen, Speak Campus issue
• (Q3) Read, Listen, Speak Lecture
• (Q4) Listen, Speak Lecture

30s to prepare, 60s to speak except Q4 (20s to prepare)

General tips

• Do NOT use your own ideas or experience
• Give reasons for THEIR idea
• Try reading some US campus newspapers for Q2 vocab/topics

Marking

• Delivery
  • Fluent pace
  • Pronunciation
  • Intonation
• Language use
  • Decent grammar (not perfect OK)
  • Decent vocab (not perfect OK)
  • Understandable (intonation/pronunciation)
  • Fluent
• Topic Development
  • Complete answers
  • Organised - clear structure
  • Use cohesion links to connect your ideas (be careful - some of those phrases are writing only)

Good Examples

• ETS Official Guide 6th edition
  • Practice Test 1 (p250-253), answer is Track 28, explanation p303
  • Practice Test 2 (p348-350), answer is Track 51, explanation p398
  • Practice Test 3 (p446-449), answer is Track 72, explanation p498
  • Practice Test 4 (p546-549), answer is Track 95, explanation p601

Q2 RLS Campus

Overview and tips

• Timing: read (45s), listen (1-2mins), prep (30s), speak (60s)
• Topic is US campus life
  • University policies, rules, plans, facilities,
  • e.g. car parking policy, evening classes announcement, new sports facilities
• READ THE QUESTION - you might only need the opinion of one of the speakers. You’re listening for:
  • A strong opinion by
  • TWO things e.g. two reasons FOR or AGAINST a proposal
• Do not
  • give your own opinion
  • Summarise both speakers opinions if the question asks for one speaker’s opinion

Materials

• ETS official guide p169-172 has example question workthrough

Simple template

In this set of materials, the reading passage is about TOPIC … and in the listening two students’ talk about the topic. The reading passage is about X. It says that SUMMARY. In the listening passage, two students discuss the topic. The man/woman OPINION. His/her first reason/example is L1. His/her second reason/example is L2.

Template with Choices.

• Filler (If you cannot fill 60s reliably, maybe make your intro longer with this:
  • Intro e.g. “In this set of materials, the reading passage is about TOPIC … and in the listening two students react to it.
  • Summary of Reading e.g. “The reading passage is about X. It says that”
  • Summary of listening”In the listening passage, two students discuss the topic/notice/letter. “

HOWEVER, most ETS “HIgh LEVEL ECXAMPLES” just start with the answer, focusing ONLY on the speaker they asked about (the woman or the man)

• The woman/man says/thinks OPINION
  • His/her first reason/example is L1.
  • His/her second reason/example is L2.
  • Optional - use more specific links
    • “In addition, she”
    • “She gives the example of “
    • for more links, read cohesion

Example

• See ETS Official Guide, track 24 (p300), 49, and 70
• Example 1 (old style with really overlon introduction): In this set of materials, the reading passage is a message about a teacher retiring, and in the listening two students react to it. The reading passage is a message from the university president about the retirement of Dr Hiroko Suzuki, at the end of Spring Semester, after 50 years. It also describes her career as a grad student and professor in the psychology department, where she was known for her dedication to students, and for writing many books and articles. In the listening passage, two students express surprise about the message. The woman wanted to take the Dr Suzuki’s class, because her father had studied with the professor 30 years ago and said it was good. As a result, she will probably try to take at least one class next semester, because it will be their last chance.

Q3 RLS Lecture

Overview and General Tips

• 45s to read 80-110 word reading defining an academic idea
• 60-90 second lecture with examples and details
• 30s to prepare, 60s to speak.
• Explain the term, then explain how lecture illustrates concept
• Practice by listening to TED talks!
• Example content
  • General principle in reading, specific example in listening
  • Problem in reading, outcome of attempted solution in listening
• DO NOT
  • Summarise everything. ANswer the question.

    Materials

• Official guide p173 has worked example

Good Examples

• ETS Official Guide 6th edition
  • Practice Test 1 (p250-253), answer is Track 30, explanation p305
  • Practice Test 2 (p348-350), answer is Track 53, explanation p399
  • Practice Test 3 (p446-449), answer is Track 74, explanation p499
  • Practice Test 4 (p546-549), answer is Track 97, explanation p603

Suggested Example Arrangement (Make your own)

• In this set of materials, the reading passage describes__X__
• , and the listening passage….
  • a) provides additional information about __X.
  • b) describes a specific kind of __X.
  • c) describes a special aspect of __X.
• The reading passage describes __X.
  • It notes that
  • It defines X as
  • It says that
  • It points out that
  • …which means that
  • It adds that
• PAUSE!
• The listening passage
  • gives additional information about __X, which is that
  • describes one particular kind of __X, which is called
  • describes one special aspect of __X, which is that

Example (From Purple Longman, p651)

READING TOPIC: “body of water” called “Dead Sea”

• “dead” not dried out
• dead = high salt level = hard for things to live
• landlocked = River in. No “outlet”
• high salt because high temp = evaporates quickly
• saltiest on earth

LISTENING TOPIC: add point - dead sea NOT sea

• is lake - sea is part of ocean / opens into ocean
• e.g. North section of Atl. Med sea opens to Atlantic
• lake = 100% enclosed * dead sea = no outlet = lake

EXAMPLE ANSWER

• In this set of materials, the reading passage describes a body of water, and the listening passage gives additional information about the body of water. The reading passage describes the body of water named the Dead Sea. It is said to be “dead’ because its high salt level prevents life in it. It’s salty because it’s landlocked with no outlet and it’s in an area with a high temperature, which causes rapid evaporation. The listening passage makes an additional point about the Dead Sea, which is that the Dead Sea isn’t really a sea. A sea is a body of water that’s part of the ocean or opens into the ocean, while a lake is a body of water that’s entirely enclosed. The Dead Sea has no outlet and is therefore a lake.

Example (Template for ETS example)

In this set of materials, the reading passage describes animal domestication, and the listening passage gives two examples.

• The reading passage gives two indicators to tell if animal is suitable to domesticate.
• The first is protecting territory. SUMMARY
• The second is heirarchical social structure. SUMMARY
• PAUSE!
• The listening passage gives two examples of animals - one suitable for domestication, and one not.
  • The first example is horses.
    • In terms of territory, …
    • In terms of social structure, …
  • The second example is antelopes.
    • In terms of territory, …
    • In terms of social structure, …

Q4: LS Lecture Summary

Overview and General Tips

• Listen to 60-90ss lecture defining of term/concept/issue, with examples)
• Instruction: “Using points and examples from the talk, describe the two Xs
• 20s to prepare + 60s to speak
• Just a summary
• Content is usually GENERAL overview followed by SPECIFIC comment on a part of topic
• Practice by listening to TED talks!

Materials

• ETS guide p177

Good examples

• ETS Official guide, 6th edition
  • Practice Test 1 (p250-253), answer is Track 32, explanation p307
  • Practice Test 2 (p348-350), answer is Track 55, explanation p401
  • Practice Test 3 (p446-449), answer is Track 76, explanation p501
  • Practice Test 4 (p546-549), answer is Track 99, explanation p605

Style/Arrangement - Suggested Example Structure

• In this listening passage, the professor gives
  • two definitions of X - KEYWORD1 and KEYWORD 2.
  • two ways X do Y - KEYWORD 1 and KEYWORD 2.
  • two ways X can help Y - KEYWORD 1 and KEYWORD 2.
  • two main characteristics of X - KEYWORD 1 and KEYWORD 2
  • two sources of X - 1 and 2
• The first is KEYWORD 1. This….
• The second is KEYWORD 2. This…