Probably the most common question I get from my TOEFL students is this:
How do I think of ideas for Prompt One?
Many students have asked me how I do it-- I am able to think of many things to say in 45 seconds. In this blog post, I'll share my methods. Keep in mind, these all take practice.
- Practice with a huge variety of topics: Before the test, it's important to research and prepare examples related to the topics that are likely to appear in the test. Make a list of examples for each topic and practice using them in your responses.
- Use personal experiences: Personal experiences can make for powerful and compelling examples. Think about your own experiences related to the topic and use them to support your arguments. For example, if the topic is about whether or not students should study abroad, you could talk about a time you studied in another country and the benefits you got from the experience.
- Read and watch relevant content: Reading and watching relevant content can provide you with new ideas and examples. Watch TED talks, read articles, and watch documentaries related to a variety of topics to gain new insights and examples. (I like Ted-Ed talks.) There are many terrific podcasts you can listen to. I have a Spotify subscription. It’s $10 a month and opens up thousands of podcasts for me to listen to every day.
- Use imaginary scenarios: Imaginary scenarios can be an effective way to come up with examples. Imagine a hypothetical situation related to the topic and use it to support your arguments. For example, if the topic whether or not people should use social media to communicate, you could say, “It’s a great way to talk to your family members who are far away. I speak to my cousins almost every day on Instagram, and they are in Egypt and Syria.” Perhaps these cousins do not exist, but it doesn’t matter. This is a test of your speaking, not your honesty.
- You can add a RESULT: This can add coherence to your speaking AND give you more to talk about during the 45 seconds. Remember, you DO need to talk for the entire 45 seconds. For instance, if the prompt asks you if you prefer to listen to music while you drive or drive in silence, you could say, “I prefer to listen to music while I drive, because it keeps me awake. I once had to drive across the United States, and I chose to drive in silence. This was a mistake because I accidentally fell asleep and drove my car into a ditch.” Falling asleep and driving your car into a ditch is the result of driving in silence (remember, it doesn’t have to be true.)
- Become interested in INFORMATION. I know you all lead busy lives, but you can listen to the news to and from work, and read books when you have spare time. You have to prioritize TOEFL learning in the weeks leading up to the test. I know it's hard, but WE CAN DO HARD THINGS.
GOOD LUCK ON YOUR TEST!
