Unit 2: Integrated Speaking
Unit Objectives
After completing this unit you will be able to:
- understand the kind of tasks you will be required to complete on the integrated speaking section
- identify the characteristics of a good response
- take notes that summarize the important information from reading/listening prompts
What is Integrated Speaking?
The integrated section of the iBT TOEFL Speaking consists of four tasks. These tasks are "integrated" in the sense that they combine multiple English language skills. Successfully completing the integrated portion of the test requires a combination of listening, reading, and speaking skills. As the TOEFL exam is intended for students looking to study in universities in English speaking countries, these tasks are based on typical university situations. Two of the tasks are based on non-academic university situations (like responding to a university announcement). The other two tasks are academic-related (like listening and responding to a class lecture). It is important to note that, unlike the independent speaking section, these tasks are usually NOT based on your own experiences or opinions.
Scoring Criteria
Integrated Speaking Scoring Rubric
Download sample questions for scored responses and explanations
Integrated Speaking Strategies
Unlike the independent speaking section, the integrated speaking part of the exam does not ask for your own opinion. The lectures and conversations you have to listen to may be based on difficult topics that you are not familiar with. Additionally, you have only a limited amount of time to read passages (45 seconds) and plan your response (20-30 seconds). Because of the difficult topics and limited time, it is very important to take good notes. You will be expected to summarize the information that you hear in the reading and listening prompts.
Let's look at a sample integrated speaking question. Watch the first three minutes of this video. The first question asks you to listen to a lecture and then summarize important information. After listening to the lecture look at some sample notes. File:ID Project- Notetaking.pdf
Remember, when you are taking notes you only need to concentrate on the important information. Do not worry about minor details. Watch the following video and practice taking notes. These questions require you to listen to a conversation between two students who are discussing a problem. You must summarize the problem and discuss solutions to the problem.
Introducing iBT TOEFL Speaking
