My Speaking Score's logo.

The TOEFL Speaking Blog

Unconventional Advice from TOEFL Speaking Expert John Healy

Why “Negative Washback” Misses the Point

Don't buy it. The “negative washback” critique rests on an idealized view of language education. In high-stakes situations, context-specific training is not a compromise — it’s the most effective, efficient path to success.

Read more  →

Are ETS TOEFL Speaking Avatars in the Uncanny Valley?

No. In my view — and I’ll back this up — the ETS TOEFL Speaking avatars for 2026 do not live in that valley. They’re not creepy, unsettling, or eerie.

Read more  →

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Feedback

Both realtime and delayed feedback help learners improve speaking. Realtime feedback is usually better for building accuracy and fluency during practice. Delayed feedback is better for reflection, planning, and long-term retention.

Read more  →

The Most Overlooked TOEFL Speaking Skill (That Beats Grammar, Vocabulary, and Even Pronunciation)

Most learners don’t fail because they’re bad at English. They fail because they’re inconsistent.

Read more  →

Why I'm Launching Elite — Our Most Powerful TOEFL Speaking Practice Tier Yet

Elite is for those who want to wake up on test day and know for sure they’re ready, because they’ve practiced under pressure, learned their weaknesses, improved them, and backed it up with data.

Read more  →

Assessment Isn’t Practice: Why You’re Stuck at 25 on TOEFL Speaking

My Speaking Score can tell you what’s wrong. But you have to do the work to fix it.

Read more  →

Mastering TOEFL Speaking Scores with SpeechRater: What Really Matters (And Why You Probably Don’t Need a Coach)

So the next time you think about TOEFL Speaking, skip the tutor. Open your browser. Use your data. Because in TOEFL prep, clarity starts with insight — not guesswork.

Read more  →

The 5 Hidden Problems That Keep You Stuck in TOEFL Speaking (and How to Fix Them)

Why do test-takers who are on their 30th, 40th, 50th attempt continue to register for another TOEFL, believing somehow that "this time might be different"?

Read more  →

“Interview” Task in TOEFL Speaking 2026: What It Is and How It’s Scored

The Interview task is designed to feel natural — but it tests real speaking skill under pressure. It challenges you to organize your thoughts quickly, express yourself clearly, and respond with confidence.

Read more  →

"Listen and Repeat" Task in TOEFL Speaking 2026: What It Is and How It’s Scored

The Listen and Repeat task requires you to listen to a sentence once and then repeat it exactly as you heard it. It's my new favourite task, and it will be yours too. But be careful, it's tougher than it looks...

Read more  →

TOEFL Speaking in 2026: The Ultimate Guide

The TOEFL iBT® Speaking section is undergoing its most significant update in years. Here's everything you need to know.

Read more  →

Webinar Notes: How to Paraphrase in TOEFL Speaking (+video)

Most TOEFL test-takers get stuck somewhere between structure and fluency, especially on Speaking Tasks 2 and 3. They’re unsure how much detail is enough, how to paraphrase without losing meaning, and how to keep things sounding natural. In our recent webinar...

Read more  →

How to Paraphrase in TOEFL Speaking

Paraphrasing is a core TOEFL skill that reflects how well you understand and communicate ideas. Use my CCC method to break complex ideas into clear, digestible language.

Read more  →

The Truth About TOEFL Speaking Scoring (From a Former ETS Rater)

This post is about truth vs. myth—what’s actually happening behind the scenes in scoring, and what test-takers need to do if they’re serious about getting a 26+.

Read more  →

The TOEFL Speaking Wall: How to Break Through 25

In this post you’ll learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to finally break through the hardest part of the TOEFL Speaking mountain: getting from 25 to 26.

Read more  →

What is My Speaking Score's Moat?

The AI revolution has transformed product creation, A new AI-native platform era is emerging—those who anticipate and adapt early will thrive, while others risk being cut off. We're ready.

Read more  →

"I Can't Think and Speak at the Same Time"

Disorganized speakers often talk too fast or slow down erratically as they search for words. SpeechRater calculates this in words per second and gives a percentile score.

Read more  →