TOEFL Speaking Strategies and Practice DAY 1

VEA Live (Visa English Academy)

January, 2014

Created by Briana Songer

Speaking frames to memorize

-3 Part Structure

- General to Specific

How to organize your speaking by the use of maps

Today you will learn:

DIVIDE INTO 3 PART STRUCTURE

Question: Describe something you own which is very important to you.

1. The most important thing that I own is my Ipad because it makesmy life more efficient AND it’s (it is) helpful for school.

1. Also, I really value my car as it gets me from place to place AND it makes it easier to carry groceries home.

1. Finally, I love my music collection because of the relaxation and enjoyment it provides.

Speaking Strategy Frame #1

Question: Describe an ideal job. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer

1. Rephrase the question-object-because-subject/verb-adjective AND subject/verb-adjective.

2. Also, rephrase the question-question-object-as-subject/verb-adjective AND subject/verb-adjective.

3. Finally, rephrase the question-question-object-because of-noun/noun phrase AND noun/noun phrase.

Your Turn! Practice the 3-Part Structure

Listen to your recording with your teacher, and do the following as you listen:

Write down things you did well, and things that need improvement. (+/-)

Give yourself a grade based on the TOEFL speaking rubric (0-4)

Compare your comments with your teachers and write down her feedback as well.

Listen/Feedback

GENERAL TO SPECIFIC

Question: What kind of food do you like?

1. I really like to eat all kinds of pasta, but I’m especially a fanof lasagna.

1. In particular, I enjoy the rich and flavorful layers of pasta and sauce.

1. Even though it’s a little heavy, the combination of tomato, cheese, basil, and oregano is absolutely delicious!

Speaking Strategy Frame #2

Question: Some people believe that it is better to marry young. Other people advise young people to wait until later in life to marry. Which idea do you think is better?

1. I really think (rephrase question as your topic sentence-choose ONE

side)

2. In particular, I + verb (specific reason #1)

3. Even though/For instance/ For example….(describe another reason)

4. Concluding Sentence: Finally, (rephrase your opening sentence)

Your Turn!Practice the General to Specific Structure

Listen to your recording with your teacher, and do the following as you listen:

Write down things you did well, and things that need improvement. (+/-)

Give yourself a grade based on the TOEFL speaking rubric (0-4)

Compare your comments with your teachers and write down her feedback as well.

Listen/Feedback

Drawing maps as you read or listen to lectures will help you organize your thoughts.

It will also save you time because you will not have to rewrite notes during preparation time before speaking.

Look at the three types of maps on the next slides and practice applying them. Your teacher will play several audios and have you map each one. Show your teacher afterward.

Speaking Strategy 3:Mapping Technique

Bubble Map

Tree Map

Brace Map/T-Chart

Listen to the five audios and draw a map and notes on paper as you listen (teacher play: CD2, Track 5)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Which map was the most difficult/easiest for you? Was this effective? Let’s try an integrated speaking task to see.

Mapping Application Exercise

1. You will read a short passage about a university announcement. You have 45 seconds to read the announcement. Take notes (mapping). Begin now.

Green University’s bookstore will no longer buy back used textbooks at the end of the semester and re-sell them to future students. Instead, all students who do not want to keep their books will be encouraged to recycle them. For your convenience, blue recycle bins will be placed in every dormitory, and they will be emptied daily. We ask that you please remove the covers of the books before recycling and place the covers in the yellow bins. This will greatly help our recycling company as it processes such a large volume of paper.

Mapping Application: Integrated Tasks

Mapping Application: Integrated Tasks

2. Listen to two students discussing the announcement and take notes. Begin now.

3. Describe how the man feels about the announcement and why he feels that way.

4. You have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.

Listen to your recording with your teacher, and do the following as you listen:

Write down things you did well, and things that need improvement. (+/-)

Give yourself a grade based on the TOEFL speaking rubric (0-4)

Compare your comments with your teachers and write down her feedback as well.

Did the mapping help??

Listen/Feedback

1. In this question, you will listen to a conversation. You will then be asked to summarize what you heard. Listen to the student talking to a professor. Take notes (mapping) while you listen.

2. The speakers talk about a problem and some ways to solve it. Describe the problems and the possible solutions. Then explain which solution you prefer. You have 20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.

Mapping Application 2: Integrated Tasks

Listen to your recording with your teacher, and do the following as you listen:

Write down things you did well, and things that need improvement. (+/-)

Give yourself a grade based on the TOEFL speaking rubric (0-4)

Compare your comments with your teachers and write down her feedback as well.

Did the mapping help??

Listen/Feedback

For the next class, we will:

Learn more speaking strategies

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION TODAY!

Excellent job today!