Executive summary
My Speaking Score is built on the assumption that users preparing for TOEFL Speaking thrive in an environment where feedback about on TOEFL Speaking skills is delivered immediately. So, I created the platform to allow users to record responses to TOEFL Speaking tasks and get score predictions and detailed teacher-like feedback about their grammar, fluency, vocabulary, and more instantly.
And common sense tells us that non-delayed corrective feedback is better than the alternatives -- i.e. no feedback or delayed feedback.
Turns out, it's not that easy.
BOTH "synchronous" (aka realtime) and "asynchronous" (aka delayed) feedback help learners improve speaking. Realtime feedback is usually better for building accuracy and fluency during practice (so great for a TOEFL Speaking use case). Delayed feedback is better for reflection, planning, and long-term retention. For TOEFL Speaking and similar exams, a blended routine that uses realtime feedback during practice and delayed feedback for review is the most defensible approach (Hattie & Timperley, 2007; Shute, 2008; Li, 2010; Perveen, 2016; Mahdi & Al-Khateeb, 2019; Educational Testing Service, 2018).
And why choose anyway? We can easily deliver both types. For example, we just add a feature that rolls up daily and weekly practice into summary reports that encourage reflection. So this has implications for how we continue to deliver and improve feedback going forward, specifically for the new TOEFL Speaking section that is making its debut in 2026.
What we mean by “realtime” and “delayed”
- Realtime feedback: information you receive during the attempt or within minutes of finishing.
- Delayed feedback: information that arrives later and remains available for review.
This article focuses on speaking improvement for EFL/ESL learners and for standardized speaking tests such as TOEFL iBT.
What the research says in plain language
Large reviews in education show that timing should match the goal. Realtime feedback helps you catch errors quickly and prevents bad habits from sticking. Delayed feedback supports deeper understanding, transfer to new tasks, and metacognitive reflection (Hattie & Timperley, 2007; Shute, 2008). In second-language research, corrective feedback improves speaking, but the best timing depends on task and learner. Meta-analyses confirm clear benefits of corrective feedback and show that delivery and timing matter (Li, 2010; Lyster & Saito, 2010).
When realtime feedback shines
- Building accurate production. Immediate cues help with pronunciation adjustments, stress and rhythm, grammar slips, and fluency control while the memory of the utterance is fresh.
- Test-like practice. Timed speaking benefits from quick cycles of attempt, feedback, and retry while attention is still on the task.
- Motivation and momentum. Many learners prefer realtime interaction during speaking practice, because it feels close to live communication and can support confidence during drills (Perveen, 2016).
- Technology support. Computer-assisted pronunciation training studies report positive effects when learners receive fast, specific feedback on speech features (Mahdi & Al-Khateeb, 2019).
When delayed feedback is the better tool
- Consolidation and transfer. Reviewing transcripts, listening again, and planning changes encourages durable learning and better transfer to new prompts (Shute, 2008).
- Lower cognitive load. Waiting to comment until after the attempt avoids interrupting speech and keeps a natural flow during longer monologues.
- Anxiety management. Some learners benefit from receiving comments after the session when stress is lower.
Individual differences matter
Learners vary by proficiency, goals, and anxiety levels. Realtime feedback is powerful, but frequent interruptions can overwhelm some learners. A practical tactic is to use realtime cues during short drills and switch to delayed summaries for longer responses. As proficiency and confidence grow, increase realtime challenge and reduce interruptions.
Implications for TOEFL Speaking
TOEFL Speaking rewards delivery, language use, and topic development under time pressure. Realtime feedback helps you adjust speed, pausing, pronunciation, and lexical choice quickly. Delayed feedback helps you analyze patterns across attempts, plan targeted drills, and align with scoring descriptors. The most efficient path is to combine both: fast loops for performance, reflective loops for retention (Educational Testing Service, 2018).
A blended model you can use today
Training loop (realtime)
- Record a timed response.
- Read the score and targeted comments at once.
- Make a quick second attempt that addresses one or two issues only.
Consolidation loop (delayed)
- The next day, re-listen to yesterday’s recording.
- Review the transcript and mark recurring problems.
- Plan one focused drill for the next session.
How this maps to My Speaking Score
My Speaking Score is designed for this blend. You can record, receive an immediate score and comments, then return later to the saved audio and transcript. This creates tight practice cycles and stable review cycles without extra steps.
Evidence-to-practice matrix
Practical weekly plan
- Three short practice blocks. Use timed prompts, receive realtime feedback, and do one targeted retry. Keep each block under 20 minutes.
- One review block. Re-listen to saved audio, read transcripts, and write one action target for the next week.
- One focus drill. Choose a single issue such as linking, final consonants, or speaking rate and practice it deliberately.
How to fade support over time
Start with frequent realtime cues in short attempts. Move to fewer interruptions and longer stretches of speech. By the end of a cycle, rely on delayed debriefs and only a brief realtime note between attempts.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as realtime feedback?
Feedback that arrives during the attempt or within minutes of finishing. In practice apps, comments that appear immediately after you submit function as realtime because the memory trace is still active.
Does delayed feedback ever beat realtime for speaking?
Yes. When the goal is reflection, transfer to new prompts, or strategic planning, delayed feedback is often equally effective or better. It lowers cognitive load and encourages deeper processing.
Will realtime feedback harm my fluency?
It can if it interrupts long stretches of speech too often. Use realtime feedback in short drills, then switch to delayed summaries for full responses.
How do I use both without feeling overwhelmed?
Separate your sessions. Use short, realtime-heavy drills for building accuracy. Use a separate review session the next day for delayed analysis and planning.
What does the evidence say about pronunciation tools?
Meta-analytic work on computer-assisted pronunciation training shows overall positive effects, especially when tools provide fast, specific guidance on segmentals, suprasegmentals, and timing (Mahdi & Al-Khateeb, 2019).
How does this approach map to TOEFL scoring?
Realtime feedback supports delivery and language use under time pressure. Delayed feedback helps you study transcripts, identify recurring issues, and plan targeted practice that aligns with scoring descriptors (Educational Testing Service, 2018).
What if I feel anxious when corrected in the moment?
Begin with delayed comments and summaries. As confidence grows, add a small number of realtime cues, such as a single note on pacing or one pronunciation target per attempt.
How should I measure progress?
Track a short list of indicators: speaking rate, pause frequency, a small set of pronunciation targets, and the clarity of your main point. Compare across attempts and weeks.
Can teacher comments replace automated feedback?
They serve different purposes. Automated feedback scales and gives immediate signals for micro-skills. Teacher comments add high-level coaching on organization, idea development, and test strategy. The best results come from a blend.
What is the one change most learners should make this week?
Add a next-day review habit. Save your audio and transcript, then mark one pattern to attack in the next session. This small delayed step multiplies the value of every realtime session.
References
Educational Testing Service. (2018). Automated scoring of nonnative speech using the SpeechRater v.5.0 engine (ETS Research Report Series RR-18-10).
Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of Educational Research, 77(1), 81–112.
Li, S. (2010). The effectiveness of corrective feedback in second language acquisition: A meta-analysis. Language Learning, 60(2), 309–365.
Lyster, R., & Saito, K. (2010). Oral feedback in classroom SLA: A meta-analysis. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 32(2), 265–302.
Mahdi, H. S., & Al-Khateeb, A. A. (2019). The effectiveness of computer-assisted pronunciation training: A meta-analysis. Review of Education, 7(3), 733–753.
Perveen, A. (2016). Synchronous and asynchronous e-language learning: A case study of Virtual University of Pakistan. Open Praxis, 8(1), 21–39.
Shute, V. J. (2008). Focus on formative feedback. Review of Educational Research, 78(1), 153–189.
Sumeracki, M. (2023, March 2). Delayed and immediate feedback in the classroom: The results are not what students think. The Learning Scientists.