For millions of TOEFL test takers, the Speaking section is the ultimate challenge. It’s timed, stressful, and measured by algorithms most people don’t fully understand. I can't tell you how many Zoom calls I've been on with users who simply have not taken the hour-or-so to understand what is being evaluated in the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT, and how to influence that assessment.
Enter SpeechRater™ — ETS’s automated speech scoring engine. Used not just in official TOEFL testing but also inside My Speaking Score, it gives precise, data-backed evaluations on 12 micro-dimensions of speaking performance.
But what do these dimensions mean? Why do they matter? And can you really improve your score without expensive coaching?
I've always argued that you don’t need to chase tutors or spend $100/hr on feedback that tells you to “speak more clearly” or comes with a downloadable study plan pdf.
With tools like SpeechRater and My Speaking Score, you can get precision coaching from data. This blog post covers the 12 SpeechRater dimensions — the invisible forces that shape your score — and shows you how to master each one with targeted strategies.
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.
Let’s dive deep into the Delivery, Language Use, and Topic Development constructs that define your Speaking performance — and how mastering them with data (not tutors) is often all you need.
1. The Anatomy of a SpeechRater Score
SpeechRater doesn’t give vague feedback like “speak more fluently” or “use better vocabulary.” It breaks your response down into quantifiable features — numbers you can work with and improve. These features are grouped into three major constructs:
- Delivery: How fluently and clearly you speak.
- Language Use: How sophisticated and accurate your vocabulary and grammar are.
- Topic Development: How logically and coherently you organize your ideas.
Each of these constructs includes several SpeechRater dimensions that are scored between 0–100 and percentile-ranked against thousands of other responses.
Here’s a breakdown of the dimensions.
2. The SpeechRater Dimension Table
The following table summarizes the 12 SpeechRater dimensions on My Speaking Score.
3. Why These Dimensions Matter More Than Coaching
If you’re still thinking about hiring a TOEFL Speaking tutor, here’s a counterargument grounded in research and data:
a. Coaching Doesn’t Improve Scores Much
According to a massive ETS study analyzing 14,593 test takers from China, coaching school attendance had little or no relationship with TOEFL scores across all four skills — reading, listening, writing, and speaking. The effect of coaching on Speaking score was practically negligible (only +0.16 points on a 0–30 scale).
b. Strategy Beats Tutoring
What did predict performance? Not coaching. Self-directed use of high-impact strategies like writing in English daily, reading English books, practicing pronunciation, and using simulation tests (like TPO or My Speaking Score) showed stronger and more consistent gains.
c. Automation is More Precise
SpeechRater scores aren't just accurate — they’re consistent. You can track performance on every dimension over time, without relying on a tutor’s subjective judgment. This makes platforms like My Speaking Score a more efficient, objective way to prep.
4. How to Train Without a Coach
If expensive tutoring doesn’t work — what does?
Here’s a strategic breakdown using the SpeechRater constructs:
Delivery Training
- Speaking Rate: Train to hit ~150 WPM (words per minute). Use voice-to-text tools to measure output.
- Sustained Speech: Practice 45-second monologues without stopping. Avoid filler words.
- Pause Management: Record your speech and mark pauses. Work on inserting them only between sentences or ideas.
Language Use Training
- Vocabulary Depth & Diversity: Use a thesaurus to replace basic words. Try re-telling a story using synonyms only.
- Grammar: Record yourself and rewrite your transcript into cleaner sentences, then re-record.
- Complexity: Use linking phrases: “Not only that…”, “Another reason is…”, “It’s also worth noting that…”
Topic Development Training
- Coherence: Always answer TOEFL Speaking tasks using a template or structure (e.g., “I believe X. First…, Second…, Therefore…”).
- Practice: Use real TOEFL tasks. Don’t improvise random topics. Simulate test conditions.
5. Data is Your New Speaking Coach
Instead of feedback like “Try to speak more naturally,” you now get:
- “Your Speaking Rate is 2.2 WPS, which is below the target of 2.5 WPS.”
- “You paused 11 times, mostly mid-phrase. Fix this by practicing pauses between sentences.”
- “Your Vocabulary Depth is 52/100 — you’re using basic nouns and verbs.”
With this level of granularity, you can run experiments, improve a dimension, and get validation from real-time scores. This cycle of testing and feedback — the feedback loop — is how progress happens.
6. FAQs
Q: Do I need a TOEFL tutor to improve my Speaking score?
A: No. Data from ETS shows coaching has a minimal impact. Self-directed, data-informed prep is often more effective.
Q: Is SpeechRater used in official TOEFL scoring?
A: Yes. ETS uses SpeechRater (alongside a human rater) for scoring TOEFL Speaking responses.
Q: Can I just memorize scripts to improve scores?
A: No. SpeechRater detects unnatural repetition and low diversity. Memorized answers often score poorly.
Q: What is a good Speaking Rate?
A: Around 2.5 words per second (150 words per minute). Too slow sounds hesitant; too fast hurts clarity.
Q: How do I improve my Discourse Coherence?
A: Use structured templates and transitions (e.g., “First… Second… Finally…”). Make sure each idea builds on the last.
Q: What if my pronunciation is poor?
A: Work on vowel clarity and rhythm. Use tools like ELSA or karaoke-style shadowing to practice natural intonation.
Q: How many points can I gain by practicing with SpeechRater feedback?
A: Gains vary, but many users on My Speaking Score report 3–5 point improvements in Speaking after focusing on weak dimensions.
Q: Should I buy TPOs or use My Speaking Score?
A: Both are valuable. TPO offers full test simulation. My Speaking Score offers precise, instant feedback on SpeechRater dimensions.