The Speaking section of the Enhanced TOEFL 2026 is now In Real Time.
That means you’ll be talking to an interviewer — not reading from a script, not recording in silence, but responding spontaneously and naturally.

This is a huge shift.
And for many test-takers, it’s a little scary.

But there’s good news.
The same acronym that describes the new test — IRT (In Real Time) — can also help you remember how to answer it.

What Is the TOEFL Speaking Interview?

In the Enhanced TOEFL 2026, you’ll face new Interview-style questions.
You’ll hear short, conversational prompts like:

“Do you think it’s important to live close to your school or work? Why?”

These questions don’t require memorized templates or pre-written examples.
They test your ability to think, respond, and explain clearly — in real time.

That’s why you need a system — not a script.
And that system is IRT.

The IRT Method (Idea → Reason → Tie-In)

The IRT method is more than a cheeky pun; it helps you organize your response instantly — even when you’re unprepared. Here’s what I mean:

Step	Meaning	What to Do	Example (Commuting Question)
I	Idea	State your opinion clearly in one line.	“Yes, I think living close to school or work is important.”
R	Reason	Give one or two clear, practical reasons. Keep it short and logical.	“It saves time and reduces stress. It also makes you more punctual because you face fewer delays.”
T	Tie-In	Add a quick, real example or mini-story. End with what it shows.	“Last semester I moved 10 minutes from campus. My commute dropped from 50 to 10 minutes, and I used that time to study.”

Why IRT Works for the TOEFL Speaking Interview

Reason	Explanation
1. It’s fast	You can plan your answer in three seconds — just fill in the I, R, and T.
2. It’s flexible	IRT fits any interview question — personal, opinion, or hypothetical.
3. It’s natural	It mirrors how real people talk — opinion → reason → example.
4. It’s easy to remember	Same letters as “In Real Time,” so you’ll never forget it during the test.

Example Question + IRT Breakdown

Context:
You’ve volunteered for a research study about commuting habits.
You’re having a short online interview.

Prompt:

“Thank you for joining the study. Today, I’d like to ask you some questions about your commuting habits. First, is it important to live close to your school or work? Why?”

Here’s how to apply IRT step-by-step.

Step	Response
Idea	“Yes, I believe living close to school or work is very important.”
Reason	“First, it saves time every day, which reduces stress and gives people more time to rest or study. Second, it improves reliability because you’re less likely to face delays.”
Tie-In	“For example, last semester I moved just ten minutes from campus. My commute dropped from fifty minutes to ten, and I used that extra time to study and sleep more.”

Full Sample Response (≈120 Words / 45 Seconds)

Yes, I definitely believe living close to school or work is very important.
First, it saves a huge amount of time every day, which reduces stress and gives people more time to rest or study.
A short commute means you can wake up later, focus better, and still arrive on time without rushing.
Second, living nearby improves reliability and punctuality.
You’re less likely to face traffic delays or transportation problems, so you can be consistent and dependable.
For example, last semester I moved just ten minutes from campus, and my commute dropped from fifty minutes to ten.
I used that extra time to study, which helped me raise my grades and even feel calmer throughout the week.

When to Use IRT

You can apply IRT to any TOEFL Speaking Interview question:

Question Type	How to Apply IRT
Personal (“What do you do to relax?”)	Idea: State what you do. Reason: Explain why it helps. Tie-In: Give a quick story.
Opinion (“Should schools ban phones?”)	Idea: State your stance. Reason: Give 2 clear reasons. Tie-In: Show an example or situation.
Experience (“Describe a time you helped someone.”)	Idea: Name the experience. Reason: Explain what motivated you. Tie-In: Say what happened or what you learned.

IRT vs. Old TOEFL Speaking Templates

The old TOEFL Speaking relied on memorized templates and structured outlines — useful for predictable tasks.
The new Enhanced TOEFL Speaking 2026 rewards authentic, fluent, real-time communication.

Old Approach	New Approach (IRT)
Memorized introductions and transitions	Natural, conversational responses
Focus on filler words (“First of all... Second...”)	Focus on fluency and connected ideas
Robotic rhythm	Spontaneous tone with real examples
Prepared notes	In-the-moment thinking

FAQ: TOEFL Speaking Interview & IRT

Q1: How long should my response be?
45 seconds. That’s enough time for one Idea, two Reasons, and one Tie-In example.

Q2: Do I need complex grammar or advanced vocabulary?
Not really. Clarity and flow matter more than big words. Short, accurate sentences score higher than long, messy ones.

Q3: Can I use the same example for multiple questions?
Yes — as long as it fits logically. You can reuse stories if you explain them naturally.

Q4: How do I practice IRT?
Record yourself answering 3–5 random interview questions each day.
After each, ask: Did I state an Idea, give a Reason, and Tie it in?

Q5: Why does IRT fit the new TOEFL format?
Because the new Interview tasks measure your ability to think, speak, and explain naturally in real time.
IRT keeps you organized under pressure — and that’s exactly what raters want to hear.

Final Takeaway

The TOEFL Speaking Interview isn’t about memorization anymore — it’s about mastery in real-time communication.
With the IRT Method —

I: Share your Idea clearly
R: Support it with one or two Reasons
T: Tie it in with an example —
you’ll sound fluent, natural, and confident — no prep required.

So next time you face a question like “Is it important to live close to your school or work?”
Take a breath, think IRT, and start speaking.

That’s how you win in the new TOEFL Speaking 2026.

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Mastering the TOEFL Speaking Interview with the IRT Method