TOEFL 2026 Speaking
Two tasks, tested separately: pronunciation and conversation
What's New in TOEFL 2026
The old 4-task format tested reading, listening, and speaking together. The 2026 format separates these skills. Now you face two distinct challenges: repeat sentences exactly as you hear them (Task 1) and answer interview questions in your own words (Task 2). Each task tests something different.
Old Format (Pre-2026)
- ✗ 4 tasks in 16 minutes
- ✗ Independent opinion questions
- ✗ Integrated reading + listening + speaking
- ✗ Academic lecture summaries
New Format (2026)
- ✓ 2 tasks in ~13 minutes
- ✓ Listen and Repeat (pronunciation)
- ✓ Virtual Interview (fluency)
- ✓ More practical, conversation-focused
Understanding Your Score
Your score comes from two separate rubrics. Understanding what each measures helps you practice more effectively:
How clearly you speak
- Individual sounds: Consonants & vowels
- Connected speech: Linking, reduction
- Word stress: Correct syllables
- Intonation: Natural rise/fall
How naturally you communicate
- Topic development: Complete answers
- Language use: Grammar & vocabulary
- Pace: Steady without long pauses
- Organization: Clear structure
CEFR Scale (New!)
TOEFL 2026 also reports your score on the CEFR scale (A1-C2), making it easier to compare with European standards. A score of 26+ typically maps to B2-C1 level.
The 2 Speaking Tasks
Task 1: Listen and Repeat Pronunciation Focus
7 sentences | 6-8 seconds each | Progressive difficulty
What You'll Do
Listen to a sentence spoken by a native speaker, then repeat it exactly as you heard it. This tests your ability to accurately produce English sounds, stress patterns, and natural rhythm. No content creation required—just pure pronunciation.
The 7-Sentence Progression
Sentences get progressively longer and more complex:
Sample Sentence Progression:
Sentence 1: "The library opens at nine o'clock."
Sentence 4: "Students should submit their preliminary findings by next Thursday."
Sentence 7: "Despite the significant challenges encountered during the longitudinal study, the team successfully collected comprehensive data across three distinct geographic regions."
Sounds That Trip Up Most Learners
Put your tongue between your teeth. "Think" uses /θ/ (voiceless, just air). "This" uses /ð/ (voiced, with vibration). Many learners say /s/ or /d/ instead.
Practice: "The third theory" (uses both sounds)
English reduces unstressed syllables to "uh." In "banana," only the middle "a" is clear: buh-NAN-uh. Speaking every syllable clearly sounds unnatural.
Practice: "The professor suggested a proposal"
Words like "strengths" (/streŋθs/) have 4 consonants at the end. Don't add extra vowels ("suh-trengths") or drop sounds ("strens").
Practice: "The students' strengths and weaknesses"
Native speakers connect words: "turn it off" sounds like "tur-ni-toff." The AI expects this. Speaking word-by-word sounds robotic.
Practice: "I have an exam at eight o'clock"
- Speaking word-by-word instead of with natural flow
- Overemphasizing every word (function words should be reduced)
- Mispronouncing "th" sounds as /s/, /z/, /t/, or /d/
- Adding extra syllables to words or dropping endings
- Running out of time before completing the sentence
Practice this task: Our Listen and Repeat practice gives you instant feedback on pronunciation accuracy with phoneme-level analysis.
Start practicing Listen and Repeat →Task 2: Virtual Interview Fluency Focus
4-6 questions | 15-60 sec responses | Progressive complexity
What You'll Do
Respond to a series of interview-style questions from a virtual interviewer. Questions start simple and become more complex, testing your ability to discuss, explain, compare, and analyze topics in spoken English. This replaces the old integrated speaking tasks with a more natural, conversational format.
Question Progression
Each interview follows a predictable pattern:
Introduction 15-20 sec
Simple question about your experience or preference. Just answer naturally!
Description 30-45 sec
Describe an experience or situation with specific details.
Explanation 45-60 sec
Explain reasons, causes, or processes. Give multiple reasons with support.
Comparison/Analysis 45-60 sec
Compare options or give your opinion with well-developed arguments.
Response Structures (Why Each Part Matters)
"Yes, I [do/have]..." ← Direct answer first
"[Brief personal connection]" ← Shows you can elaborate
Description (30-45s) — Give concrete details, not abstractions:
"Let me tell you about [specific experience]." ← Signals you'll give an example
"It was [when/where]." ← Grounds your story in reality
"The most [memorable] part was..." ← Shows you can prioritize information
Explanation (45-60s) — Structure is everything:
"I think [topic] is [important] for several reasons." ← Thesis first
"First, [reason 1]. For example, [support]." ← Reason + evidence pattern
"Second, [reason 2]." ← Parallel structure shows control
Opinion (45-60s) — Acknowledge complexity, then commit:
"In my view, [position]." ← State your stance clearly
"On one hand... On the other hand..." ← Shows nuanced thinking
"Overall, I believe..." ← Return to your main point
Sample Interview Exchange (Topic: Technology in Education):
Q1: "Let's talk about technology in education. Do you use any technology to help you study?"
"Yes, I use technology every day for studying. I mainly use my laptop for taking notes and doing research, and I also have some apps on my phone for practicing vocabulary."
Q3: "Why do you think some students prefer using digital materials over printed textbooks?"
"I think students prefer digital materials for two main reasons. First, they're much more convenient— you can carry hundreds of books on one tablet instead of a heavy backpack. For example, in my university, most students now download PDF versions of textbooks. Second, digital materials are often interactive. You can highlight text, add notes, and search for specific terms instantly, which makes studying more efficient."
- Giving one-word or too-brief answers (develop your ideas!)
- Going off-topic or telling unrelated stories
- Forgetting to include specific examples
- Speaking too fast when nervous (pace yourself)
- Long pauses while thinking (use fillers like "Let me think..." naturally)
Practice with Real Interview Simulations
Our interview practice gives you authentic question sequences with AI scoring on topic development, language use, and delivery—just like the real test.
Try Interview Practice →Quick Start: Your First Practice
Your first practice session should focus on one skill at a time. Here's how to get started:
Listen and Repeat Warm-up
Find a quiet space with good audio quality
Listen to the sentence once (limited replays!)
Repeat naturally—match the pace, not word-by-word
Review feedback: which sounds need work?
Interview Warm-up
Listen carefully to each question
Use prep time to jot down 2-3 keywords
Speak conversationally—imagine a real interviewer
Always give examples to support your points
Your 3-Week Practice Plan
Each week targets a different skill level. Week 1 builds accuracy, Week 2 adds complexity, Week 3 simulates test conditions.
Week 1: Build Your Foundation
Goal: Master pronunciation basics and simple interview responses
- Days 1-2: Practice easy Listen and Repeat sentences (positions 1-4), focus on th-sounds
- Days 3-4: Practice introduction and description interview questions only
- Days 5-6: Full Listen and Repeat sets, identify your weakest sounds
- Day 7: Review and record yourself—compare to native audio
Focus: Accuracy over speed. Get the basics right first.
Week 2: Build Complexity
Goal: Handle longer sentences and complex interview questions
- Days 1-2: Focus on hard Listen and Repeat sentences (positions 5-7)
- Days 3-4: Practice explanation and comparison interview responses
- Days 5-6: Complete full interviews (all 4-6 questions in sequence)
- Day 7: Mixed practice—alternate between both task types
Focus: Connected speech and developing ideas with examples.
Week 3: Test Simulation
Goal: Build stamina and confidence with full-length practice
- Days 1, 3, 5: Complete full speaking sections (Listen and Repeat + Interview)
- Days 2, 4: Focus practice on your weakest areas
- Day 6: Final full simulation under test conditions
- Day 7: Light review, rest your voice, build confidence
Focus: Consistency and confidence. Trust your preparation!
Ready to Start?
Our TOEFL 2026 practice has everything you need: pronunciation feedback, interview simulations, and progress tracking.
Begin Week 1 TodayTest Day Essentials
Do This
- ✓ Test your microphone before starting
- ✓ Speak at a natural, conversational pace
- ✓ For Listen and Repeat: focus on flow, not perfection
- ✓ For Interview: use your prep time to plan, not script
- ✓ Keep going even if you make a small mistake
- ✓ Take a breath between questions to reset
Avoid This
- ✗ Don't speak too slowly trying to be "perfect"
- ✗ Don't pause mid-sentence (better to finish imperfectly)
- ✗ Don't memorize scripts for interview—sound natural
- ✗ Don't skip the easier interview questions
- ✗ Don't panic if you miss a word in Listen and Repeat
- ✗ Don't look away from the screen during recording
The AI scores how well you communicate, not whether you speak "perfectly." A small mispronunciation or grammar mistake costs less than hesitating, restarting, or leaving a question unfinished. If you stumble, keep going. Complete responses always beat abandoned ones.
Start Practicing
Pick one task type and complete 3-5 questions. Review your feedback, then try again.