TOEFL Speaking Topics?

[EnglishRaven]

I have some updated topics and free practice opportunities for students at this link:

http://global-english.lefora.com/forum/ ... ice/page1/

Also, I have a list of 40 topics for the first Independent speaking task on the test here:

http://jasonrenshaw.typepad.com/ibt_spe ... ctice.html


Hope it helps!

~ Jason

[Eric18]

Thanks for sharing those solid TOEFL tips and fine links.

You might the conversation lessons on my website Creating Compelling Conversations of interest too. Visit
http://www.compellingconversations.com/

Although the new TOEFL is far better and more practical than the old one, I would still like to see a longer speaking section. Students should, it seems to me, be able to hold a decent conversation, participate in classroom discussions, and even give presentations in their classes. A better TOEFL would more accurately assess these essential language skills for undergraduate and graduate students!

[EnglishRaven]

I'll definitely check out your site, Eric.

I agree with your assessment of the TOEFL speaking format, and wrote extensively about this in a blog post last year:

iBT Speaking and Writing - how do they stack up to the real thing? (Part 1)
http://jasonrenshaw.typepad.com/ibt_spe ... ng_an.html

One of the mystifying things about TOEFL speaking is the emphasis on talking about what other people are saying, rather than talking to people.

Best wishes,

~ Jason

[Eric18]

You wrote an outstanding critique of ibt!

Although we work on different continents and work with different students at different stages of their academic careers, we have encountered the same situations and reached the same reluctant conclusions!

By the way, I subscribed to your blog. We seem to be swimming in very similar waters and facing the same shallow sharks.

You will, I suspect, enjoy my website. Thanks for sharing that article!