IELTS TRAINING CENTRE KENYA - IELTS PREPARATION | OET | TOEFL | PTE | GRE | DUOLINGO
Title: IELTS TRAINING CENTRE KENYA - IELTS PREPARATION | OET | TOEFL | PTE | GRE | DUOLINGO
How to Improve Your Speaking Score by Breaking a Bad Habit
This blog will address a common problem that will cost you points on the TOEFL test.
A lot of our candidate use a lot of UHs and UMs when they speak, so I decided to make a blog to address this problem. Can it affect your score? DEFINITELY. Your score will be lower if you make more UHs, and UMs sounds when you speak. Not only can the human rater detect these sounds, the Speechrater can as well. Yes! This WILL lower your score. We don’t want that- so let’s talk about some ways to fix it. There is no magic here, just some steps that I believe will help you (again, I do not believe in “magic” or “hacking” the TOEFL test. Nor do I believe in tricks-- only strategies.)
To reduce UHS (Um, Uh, Like, you Know, So) and UMS (Unintended Mouth Sounds) during TOEFL speaking, here are some tips you can follow:
1. Practice speaking fluently: Regularly practice speaking in English to improve your fluency. Engage in conversations with native speakers or language partners, and participate in group discussions to gain confidence and fluency.
A lot of test-takers ask me how to practice without a teacher.
There are a number of ways:
-Listen to English podcasts. I recommend ESPRESSO ENGLISH on Spotify.
-Talk to native speakers. Join groups on Meetup.com. There are thousands. You can meet people PLUS practice English. Whatever interests you, there is probably a group for it (hiking, pickleball, book clubs, conversation clubs, women’s groups, yoga, and so much more.)
-Watch television and movies in English. You can watch along with English subtitles if you want. Do not use subtitles in your own language, as you will subconsciously use them as a “crutch” to help you.
-Listen to music in English. It’s a great tool. You will learn not only vocabulary and grammar, but word CHUNKS (words that are spoken together in English.) Take the song “Let it Be” by The Beatles as an example. In this song are the lyrics, “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.” In the song, the chunk “times of trouble” means difficult times, and “words of wisdom” means good, wise advice. These are chunks in English. You can use songs to learn them.
-Read in English. Obviously, you can read books, but you can also read articles online. There are so many resources. When I was growing up, the internet had not yet been developed. It did not reach significance until I was in my mid-20’s. This generation has a lot more resources than I had when I was in college. I was required to take French all through school and had to rely on books alone. I am not saying, "Poor me." I am saying, "Lucky you."
-Immerse yourself in English. If your spouse speaks English, encourage him or her to converse at home in English. Do not make excuses for yourself. It's easy to think, "It's too hard to speak English at home. I want to relax." You are only going to hold yourself back if you fall into this trap. It's hard. But WE CAN DO HARD THINGS.
2. Enhance your vocabulary: Expand your vocabulary by learning new words and their proper usage. This will help you express your thoughts more precisely and reduce the need for filler words like "Um" and "Uh."
This teacher is great:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd6iGLmUssQ&t=668s
3. Take your time: Avoid rushing through your responses. Take the preparation time to organize your thoughts before speaking. This will reduce the chances of using filler words and give you more control over your speech. However, do not speak TOO slowly. If you do, you will lose some points. The trick is finding a balance. Listen to sample answers and repeat them (I give my clients 100 of such samples.) The goal is to sound like a native speaker who is under time pressure. Too fast and you sound like a robot, too slow and you lose points.
4. Use transitional phrases: Incorporate transitional phrases into your speech, such as "Firstly," "Moreover," "On the other hand," etc. These phrases not only improve the structure of your response but also provide you with a moment to collect your thoughts and avoid using filler words.
5. Practice pronunciation and intonation: Work on your pronunciation and intonation to sound more natural. Pay attention to word stress, rhythm, and intonation patterns in English. Practicing with native speakers or using online resources can be helpful.
Also Read: Improve your TOEFL writing score with this easy writing trick!
6. Record and review your speaking practice: Record yourself while practicing TOEFL speaking tasks and listen to the recordings later. Identify areas where you tend to use filler words or unintentional mouth sounds. Focus on improving those specific areas in subsequent practice sessions. After you listen, repeat the same response and try to reduce the number of UHs and UMs you say.
7. Take note of common mistakes: Be aware of your specific patterns of UHS and UMS. Identify the situations or types of questions that trigger these habits, and consciously work on eliminating them. Awareness is the first step to improvement.
8. Seek feedback: Ask a teacher, tutor, or fluent English speaker to listen to your speaking practice and provide feedback. They can help you identify any recurring UHS and UMS and suggest specific strategies to reduce them.
9. Practice under test conditions: Simulate the TOEFL speaking test environment as closely as possible during your practice sessions. Time yourself, use the same format, and try to replicate the pressure and conditions you'll experience during the actual test. This will help you become more comfortable and confident on test day.
10. Learn to sing some songs in English. Obviously, famous singers like Frank Sinatra or Whitney Houston do not say UH or UM when they sing. Learn the words and sing along with them (do not worry if you are a terrible singer. So am I.) You will learn rhythm, intonation, and grammar. You will also gain confidence.
Remember, reducing UHS and UMS takes practice and conscious effort. By implementing these tips and consistently working on your speaking skills, you can improve your fluency and reduce the use of filler words and unintentional mouth sounds in your TOEFL speaking responses.
