Human Computer: TOEIC Speaking Fluency Practice

Human Computer: TOEIC Speaking Fluency Practice

Introduction: One of the hardest parts of the TOEIC Speaking test is that you have provide your answers in a limited time so you need to learn to express your ideas quickly and in an organized way. Also, there are times where you need to talk for a long time when you don't really have a lot to say. In that case you need to learn to give more details and measure the time as you speak. 

Task 1: Warm Up - Human Computer

Let's practice this now. Spin the wheel to choose a topic. You should speak for 60 seconds about this topic without stopping! Your partner will keep the time and also listen carefully. When you finish talking, your partner will paraphrase what you said and try to include all of the important details in 30 seconds. 

1st Speaker Timer

2nd Speaker Timer

Task 2:TOEIC Speaking Test Preview

Let's try responding to some actual TOEIC Speaking test items.

Read a Text

• Student A: In this task you have 45 seconds to read a text aloud. Take a few seconds to review the text silently to prepare. Then click the timer and read your text clearly. 

• Student B: In this task you have 45 seconds to read a text aloud. Take a few seconds to review the text silently to prepare. Then click the timer and read your text clearly. 

Describe a Photo

• Student A: Describe the photo below with as many details as possible for 30 seconds.

• Student B: Describe the photo below with as many details as possible for 30 seconds.

• Student A: Describe the photo below with as many details as possible for 30 seconds.

• Student B: Describe the photo below with as many details as possible for 30 seconds.

Personal Information Questions

• Student A: Answer the following set of questions. Pay close attention to the time for each question.

• Imagine that a friend is planning to organize a book discussion group in which all members read the same book and then meet to talk about it. You are talking to your friend on the telephone about this type of group.

• Question 1: (15 seconds) Would you ever want to be the leader of a book discussion group? Why or why not?
• Question 2: (15 seconds) Do you think a book discussion group should have food and beverages for members at each meeting? Why or why not?
• Question 3: (30 seconds) Do you think book discussion groups should read only one kind of books, such as fiction or biography? Why or why not?

• Student B: Answer the following set of questions. Pay close attention to the time for each question.

• Imagine that a university professor is doing research in your area. You have agreed to participate in a telephone interview about the town where you live.

• Question 1: (15 seconds) What city or town do you live in, and how long have you lived there?
• Question 2: (15 seconds) What is your favorite place to go in your city or town and how often do you go there?
• Question 3: (30 seconds) Which of the following do you think your city or town needs more of and why?
• Restaurants?
• Parks?
• Bus routes?

Respond to Questions Using Information Provided

• Student A: Look carefully at the schedule below. Your partner will ask you questions about it. You have 15 seconds to respond to the first two questions and 30 seconds to respond the third question.

• I misplaced my schedule for May 23rd so can you answer some questions for me to confirm a few things?

• Question 1: (15 seconds) When will the first meeting start and finish and who will I meet?
• Question 2: (15 seconds) I remember that I will have lunch at noon with Andrew Simon. Is that right?
• Question 3: (30 seconds) I suppose that there are some sessions after lunch. Can you give me all the details about what I have to do in the afternoon?

• Student B: Look carefully at the schedule below. Your partner will ask you questions about it. You have 15 seconds to respond to the first two questions and 30 seconds to respond the third question.

• Hello, I saw an ad about the New Technology Fair and I'm interested in attending it. I'd like you to give me some more information about it.

• Question 1: (15 seconds) When is the fair and where will it take place?
• Question 2: (15 seconds) As far as I know, there is a fee of $100, right?
• Question 3: (30 seconds) I am very interested in robotics. Can you tell me all the detail about any sessions related to that topic?

State an Opinion

• Student A: Answer the following question for 60 seconds.

• Some people think that owning a pet has many benefits. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Why? Give reasons and examples to support your opinion.

• Student B: Answer the following question for 60 seconds.

• Which do you think contributes more to a famous athlete's success: luck or hard work? Give reasons or examples to support your opinion.

Task 3:Discussion

Now that you have finished the mini-test, either switch roles (Student A / Student B) and retake any part of the test you would like to practice, OR discuss the question below.

• What did you think of the warm up activity? 
• What is challenging about speaking to a computer?
• What is difficult about speaking for a specific length of time?
• What did you think of the mini-test?
• Which sections did you find to be most difficulty or easiest and why?
• What questions or doubts do you have about the real TOEIC speaking test?