TOEFL Speaking in 2026: The Ultimate Guide

Enhanced TOEFL Speaking 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Summarize this with ChatGPT

The TOEFL iBT® Speaking section is undergoing its most significant update in years. In fact, TOEFL boss Omar Chihane calls it the most significant update in 60 years (video).

In this post, I'll explain the new format of the Speaking section for 2026, the implications for prep, and how My Speaking Score is pivoting to help you prepare for TOEFL Speaking in 2026.

‍

So, beginning January 21, 2026, ETS is rolling out a revamped version of the Speaking section designed to better reflect real-world communication skills. If you're preparing for the TOEFL in 2026 or advising students who are, this is your definitive guide.

‍

Overview of Changes

The 2026 TOEFL iBT Speaking section introduces two brand-new task types and discards the old task format entirely. It's a complete overhaul of the Speaking section.

Key changes:

• The classic Task 1 (Independent Opinion), Task 2 (Campus Situation), Task 3 (Academic Reading + Listening), and Task 4 (Academic Lecture) are gone.
• In their place are two modules:
  • Listen and Repeat
  • Take an Interview
• There’s no preparation time for either task! Now, the Speaking section really is a measure of your spontaneous spoken English.
• Each new task is designed to reflect more real-world speaking demands, such as conversational fluency and verbal recall.

New Speaking Task Types

1. Listen and Repeat (read more here)

• Task: You hear sentences and repeat each one exactly.
• Structure: You will hear a series of 7 progressively difficult short utterances (e.g., directions, descriptions, or explanations) and must repeat each one after a single listen.
  
  • each sentence is connected to a visual (e.g. a map).
• Goal: Tests your memory, pronunciation, rhythm, and precision under pressure.
• Example Prompt (from p. 34):

Trainer: “Please, no outside food or drinks, and do not feed the animals.”

‍

You must repeat this back exactly, with no prep time.

What If You Make a Mistake?

Let’s be real—mistakes happen, even to seasoned English speakers. If you trip up during the Listen and Repeat section, don’t panic. Here’s how to handle it like a pro:

• Minor slip-ups? Quickly correct yourself and keep going. Accuracy is important, but it’s better to show you can recover smoothly than to freeze up.
• Can’t recall a word or phrase? Do your best to fill in the blank and continue. It’s far better to demonstrate your ability to maintain fluent speech, even if you have to improvise slightly.
• Most importantly: Don’t dwell on mistakes or apologize—just keep your energy and focus moving forward.

By keeping your cool and pressing on, you’ll showcase resilience and real-world communication skills the test is designed to measure.

‍

2. Take an Interview (read more here)

• Task: You engage in a simulated interview, responding to questions on a familiar topic.
• Structure: The interviewer asks 3–4 follow-up questions based on a short introduction.
• Goal: Tests your ability to speak fluently and clearly, expand on ideas, and manage natural language in a structured conversation.
• Example Prompt (from p. 34 of TOEFL iBT Full Length Practice Test 1):

Interviewer: “Now, do you currently live in a big city, a small town, or a village?”

‍

Take an Interview: Example Questions and Model Responses

To help you visualize what the new "Take an Interview" task actually looks and feels like, let's walk through a realistic question set—along with sample responses that mirror what top-scoring candidates might say.

Picture this: you’ve agreed to participate in a quick online interview for a university research project about smartphone habits. You’ll be asked a series of questions on the spot, with no opportunity to see them in advance or jot down notes.

Here’s the sort of question flow you can expect:

Question 1:
Describe a situation when you used your smartphone for something important. What happened, and what did you appreciate about the experience?

Sample response:
A couple of months ago, I found myself lost in downtown Tokyo on my first ever solo trip. My Japanese is, let’s say, “enthusiastic but limited.” I was pretty anxious until I pulled out my phone, used the translation app to read some street signs, and navigated back to my hotel using Google Maps. Honestly, the whole experience reminded me how much I rely on technology—not just for directions, but for bridging language barriers and keeping calm under pressure.

Question 2:
What’s your general attitude toward your phone? Do you find it mostly helpful or more of a distraction? Why?

Sample response:
If I'm being honest, my phone is a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it keeps me productive and connected—I use it to keep in touch with friends overseas, check work emails, and track my daily exercise. On the other hand, it’s almost too easy to get sucked into endless scrolling on social media, which sometimes makes me lose track of time. I’m working on finding a better balance because, while I love the convenience, I know it can also eat into my focus.

Question 3:
Do you think smartphones have improved life overall? Why or why not?

Sample response:
Overall, yes—I do think smartphones have made life better. They’ve democratized access to information, and now anyone, whether they’re in a remote village or the heart of New York City, can access learning resources, news, and job opportunities. Of course, there are drawbacks like over-reliance and distraction, but I believe the positives—especially in education and communication—far outweigh the negatives.

Question 4:
Should schools or organizations encourage healthier phone habits, like turning off devices during breaks or after hours? Why?

Sample response:
Absolutely, promoting healthier phone habits is a smart move. Constant notifications can create a lot of stress and make it tough to really unwind. Encouraging students or staff to disconnect during certain times helps improve concentration and well-being. For example, schools that run “phone-free” study hours often report fewer distractions and better academic performance. Even small changes, like silencing alerts in the evening, can really add up over time.

These questions—and the way you answer them—are designed to showcase not just your language skills, but also your ability to think on your feet, build out your ideas, and communicate naturally. Practice speaking about familiar topics and sharing your perspective clearly—that’s now the central focus of TOEFL Speaking.

Sample “Take an Interview” Response Starters

If you’re wondering how to structure your answers during the “Take an Interview” task, try using flexible template phrases—these help you organize your thoughts and sound more natural, just like you would in real conversations. Here are some “plug-and-play” starters categorized by common question types:

For Stating Opinions or Preferences

• “I’d definitely say that…”
• “One main reason I feel this way is…”
• “For example,…”
• “So overall, that’s why I prefer…”

For Describing Personal Experiences

• “I can recall a time when…”
• “This happened when I was…”
• “The reason it stands out is because…”

For Talking About Your Lifestyle or Habits

• “In my daily life, I usually…”
• “Additionally,…”
• “That’s why this is important to me…”

Mix and match these openings and connectors to craft clear, confident responses—even if your mind goes blank, these templates will keep you moving forward.

‍

Task-by-Task Breakdown

Scoring

ETS now uses two distinct scoring rubrics and they are totally different from the previous Delivery-Language Use-Topic Development rubrics that have been the standard for decades.

Listen and Repeat Scoring Rubric (0–5 scale) (video)

Key features evaluated:

• Exactness of repetition
• Intelligibility
• Minor grammar or word changes are acceptable for a 4
• Severe distortion or incomplete sentences lead to lower scores

Score 5 (Perfect): Fully intelligible, exact repetition
Score 4: Minor deviations but preserves meaning
Score 2–3: Missing content or changed meaning
Score 0–1: Largely unintelligible or blank

Take an Interview Scoring Rubric (0–5 scale) (video)

Key features evaluated:

• Fluency
• Coherence and elaboration
• Accuracy of grammar and vocabulary
• Intonation, rhythm, and pronunciation

Score 5: Fluent, clear, on-topic, well-organized
Score 4: Clear and relevant, but may lack connectors
Score 3: Choppy pace or limited development
Score 0–1: Unintelligible or minimally responsive

The Scoring System Explained

The new TOEFL Speaking scoring system has three layers:

• Rubric scoring per task (/5)
• Raw score (/50)
• Band score (/6), CEFR aligned

Each of these layers plays a specific role in determining your final result.

A. Rubric Scoring (0–5)

Each Speaking task (whether Interview or Repeat) is scored from 0 to 5 using a fixed rubric.

There are 11 total items:

• 7 Listen and Repeat
• 4 Take an Interview

These individual scores are summed to calculate a raw score out of 50.

B. Raw Score (0–50)

This number represents the total score you earned across all 11 items. ETS does not display this number on your report, but it is used internally to calculate your Speaking band score.

C. Band Score (1.0 to 6.0)

Once your raw score is calculated, it is converted to a band score between 1.0 and 6.0, in 0.5 increments. This is the number that appears on your official score report.

It is the number that most schools and institutions use when setting score requirements.

D. CEFR Mapping

Each TOEFL Speaking band score is aligned with a CEFR level:

Test-Taking Implications

Here’s how this redesign will affect your strategy and preparation:

Say goodbye to templates

Rehearsed, memorized templates won’t help. Especially for “Listen and Repeat,” where accuracy trumps creativity, and for “Take an Interview,” where fluency must be real and adaptable. This is a "lurch-move" away from my old "structure-content-speed" formula. Response frameworks will still help somewhat, but I suspect these will be replaced by response strategies (e.g. how do you answer this "type" of question, and how do you keep speaking continuously for 45 seconds?

Speed and recall matter more

Especially in the Listen and Repeat task, your short-term memory and pronunciation under time pressure are essential. I'm sure there will be an explosion of Note-taking strategies for this one. Could be stressful.

Focus shifts to fluency over structure

In the old format, structure could carry you. Now, you must sound like a real human, not a script-reciting test-taker. This has strong implications for how we're adapting our platform and how we'll continue to help test-takers into the future (more on this as our development roadmap is built).

Read more about the new tasks

See my detailed explanation of the Listen and Repeat task and Interview task for more information.

‍

Strategies for Excelling in Both Speaking Tasks

How do you thrive under the new format? Here are battle-tested approaches to sharpen both your Listen and Repeat, and Take an Interview skills (and keep your sanity intact):

Train Like an Athlete

Speaking on demand is a muscle—so build it. Regular, focused practice is king. Don’t just dabble: set up daily speaking drills that mimic test conditions. Record yourself, play it back, cringe, repeat. Improvement is born in repetition, not just reading about repetition.

Prioritize Early Accuracy

Especially in Listen and Repeat, the first sentences carry just as much weight as the last. Front-load your energy: nail those early items cleanly to lock in points before fatigue sets in. Think of it like sprinting out of the blocks—every second (and syllable) counts.

Chunk for Memory—and Sanity

Long sentences might feel intimidating, but your brain loves patterns. Instead of trying to recall a wobbly string of eight words, break lines into bite-sized, logical chunks:

• For example: turn “Upstairs, the medium room has laptops you can borrow” into
  • “Upstairs, the medium room // has laptops you can borrow.”This keeps your recall and delivery sharp.

Use the Pause Wisely

You don’t have to launch into your answer at warp speed. After the beep, allow yourself a couple of seconds to process and mentally rehearse (silently) before you speak. It’s not a race; it’s a performance—give yourself space to start strong.

Nail the Essentials for Interviews

When taking the Interview task, focus on:

• Speaking at a natural, steady pace. Not too slow (robotic), not too fast (unintelligible).
• Avoiding long, awkward pauses—think “conversation,” not “oral exam.”
• Mixing up your language: weave in simple connectors (“and,” “because,” “although”) and avoid word ruts. Simple doesn’t mean boring!
• Keeping your grammar tight and consistent—errors distract and can chip away at your score.
• Limiting long, winding lists—clarity and directness win the day.

Get Cozy With the Rubrics

This is not just a test of your ideas; it’s a test of your ability to impress the raters on their terms. Review the latest scoring rubrics from ETS and internalize what counts. If the rubrics reward clean grammar and controlled vocabulary, make those your obsession. Save “big” words and complicated structures for when they fit naturally.

Building Your Speaking Toolbox

• Variety: Use transitions (“furthermore,” “for example,” “on the other hand”) to give your responses a mature feel without sounding like you’re rattling off a phrasebook.
• Efficiency: Deliver thoughts in clear, organized segments. Conciseness is your friend.
• Consistency: Practice until your delivery is steady, not just lucky.

If it feels like speaking simultaneously as yourself, a game show contestant, and an improv actor—you’re on the right track.

The upshot: treat your speaking as a skill, not a mystery. Train intentionally, know what earns points, and build real conversational habits. That way, when test day hits, you can rely on instinct—not panic.

‍

FAQ

When do the new TOEFL Speaking changes start?

January 21, 2026.

Will the old Speaking tasks (Tasks 1–4) still be tested?

No. ETS has removed the previous Speaking task types. Only the two new formats — Listen and Repeat and Take an Interview — will be tested from 2026 onward.

Is preparation time still provided?

No. Neither task includes prep time. You must speak spontaneously and naturally.

Will My Speaking Score support the new format?

Yes. My Speaking Score will launch full support for the new TOEFL Speaking format by November 1, 2025.  At that time, users will be able to prepare for the 2025 test format, the 2026 test format, or both).

This includes:

• Free Practice Tests aligned to the new format
• Automated Score Prediction & Feedback powered by ETS
• The most robust scoring engine available online, offering real-time feedback, percentile comparisons, and actionable improvement suggestions

Which skills should I focus on?

• For Listen and Repeat: pronunciation, memory, repetition accuracy
• For Take an Interview: fluency, elaboration, idea development, clarity

Does My Speaking Score still use SpeechRater?

Yes — for the 2025 TOEFL iBT. For the 2026 TOEFL, My Speaking Score will continue to work with ETS's automated scoring technology to give you accurate score prediction and feeback.

✅ Final Thoughts: The New TOEFL Speaking Era

I'm super excited about these new changes. The 2026 update pushes test-takers toward authentic, real-time communication — closer than ever to the demands of a real academic or professional setting.

If you're preparing now:

• Train your auditory memory and repetition speed.
• Practice spontaneous, topic-based mini-interviews.
• Use My Speaking Score for realistic practice and precision feedback.

This is the start of a new TOEFL era — and My Speaking Score is already building the tools you’ll need to succeed in it.

‍

Note: effective July 14, 2025, My Speaking Score is offering unlimited daily Accent Reduction classes for all Elite users -- fluency and pronunciation training to help test-takers start to build the skills that they'll need for the new "enhanced" TOEFL Speaking section.

‍