Speaking fluently and coherently is an essential skill for success in the TOEFL exam. To achieve a high score in the speaking section, it is important to practice effectively and utilize specific techniques. In this lesson, we will explore strategies to improve your fluency and coherence when speaking in English.

One key technique is to focus on your pronunciation and intonation. Clear pronunciation will make your speech more comprehensible, while varied intonation will make your speech more engaging. Another important strategy is to organize your thoughts before speaking. Create a mental outline of what you want to say, including an introduction, main points, and conclusion. Finally, practice speaking in English regularly with native speakers or language partners to build confidence and improve your fluency.

Speaking Practice Strategies

General Speaking Activities

• Practice giving opinions, describing problems/solutions, and comparing/contrasting ideas.
• Mimic native speakers’ pronunciation, idioms, and informal expressions.
• Improve natural fluency by using contractions (e.g., "it's," "I'm," "there’s").
• Work on stress, intonation, and pauses for clearer speech.

Independent Speaking Practice

• Speak about familiar topics for 1 minute (e.g., hobbies, travel, academic subjects).
• Recount past and future events using appropriate tenses and connectors.
• Describe images in detail, using varied vocabulary and sentence structures.
• Express opinions with supporting reasons, using transition phrases.

Integrated Speaking Practice

• Read articles or listen to talks, then prepare a structured 1-minute response.
• Find campus-related news articles and discuss them with peers.
• Read short texts, answer study questions aloud, and record your responses.
• Listen for changes in tone, topic shifts, and paraphrasing techniques in academic lectures.
• Compare information from listening and reading materials and summarize them orally.

Group Speaking Activities

• Discussion Clubs – Join or create a group to discuss topics like films, travel, or current events.
• Debate Practice – Choose a topic, prepare a 1-minute argument, and present it.
• Role-Playing – Simulate student-professor meetings or problem-solving scenarios.
• Transition Word Practice – Use connectors like "however," "on the other hand," and "therefore" in spontaneous speech exercises.
• Speech Summaries – Listen to academic talks, summarize them, and lead group discussions.

TOEFL Speaking Tips

• Take 15–30 seconds to outline your response before speaking.
• Avoid reading pre-written responses—scorers can detect rehearsed answers.
• Record your practice responses and evaluate clarity, grammar, and coherence.
• Ask a teacher or tutor to assess your responses using TOEFL scoring guidelines.

Key Lesson Concepts:

• Focus on pronunciation and intonation
• Organize your thoughts before speaking
• Practice speaking regularly with native speakers