Your Guide to TOEFL Speaking Topics: 2025

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a test for non-native English speakers and is a massive part of university admissions for students who want to study abroad. It is divided into four sections: reading, listening, speaking and writing.

The Speaking section is key as it tests your ability to express ideas in spoken English which is essential for academic discussions and everyday conversations. This guide will go through TOEFL Speaking topics, questions, and expert tips to help you succeed.

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The TOEFL Speaking section tests your ability to speak coherently and effectively in English. It has several tasks, each designed to test a specific skill. The total speaking section is 20 minutes long, so you need to answer quickly.

The TOEFL Speaking section has both independent and integrated tasks. You will be asked to speak about topics related to everyday life, academic subjects, and personal experiences. You will have limited time to prepare and respond hence, you need to practice speaking under time pressure.

The TOEFL Speaking section has 6 tasks to test your ability to express ideas clearly in English. These tasks are divided into both independent and integrated tasks, each testing different skills. Here are the common TOEFL speaking practice questions.

Here is the individual explanation of TOEFL speaking topics:

In the Independent speaking task of TOEFL speaking topics, you will be asked to speak about a familiar topic such as personal preferences, experiences, or hypothetical scenarios. You will have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to respond. The key to this task is to give a clear, concise, and well-structured answer with reasons and examples.

Example

"Do you prefer studying in a group or alone? Why? Start with your answer: group or alone. Then give at least two reasons why with examples. If you prefer studying in a group, explain how collaboration helps you with complex topics, and how discussing ideas with others brings up new perspectives. If you prefer studying alone, explain how it helps you focus and be more efficient without distractions. Just explain why you prefer one over the other with examples."

Response Strategy

Start with your answer, then reasons and examples. Make sense and easy to follow, with a conclusion.

TOEFL Speaking Tips

Practice responding to opinion-based questions and focus on structuring your answers quickly. Use personal examples from your life to support your arguments and practice within the 45-second time limit.

In the integrated speaking task (reading and listening), you will read a short passage and then listen to a lecture or conversation related to that passage. Then you will summarise and synthesise the information from both sources in your answer. You will have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.

Example

"Summarise the main points of the lecture and how they relate to the article."

Response Strategy

In this task, you need to integrate the main points from both sources. First, identify the most important details from the passage and the lecture. Then summarise them in a few sentences and explain how the information from the lecture connects to the reading. Don't just repeat the details from either source, focus on how they relate to each other.

Organise your answer logically, start with the reading passage, then the lecture, and finally how they are related. Make sure to synthesise the information well without going off-topic.

TOEFL Speaking Tips

Practice quickly identifying key points in both reading and listening tasks. Focus on how to connect them within the time limit. Time management is key to delivering a clear and complete answer in 60 seconds.

In TOEFL speaking topics like this, you’ll listen to a passage and respond to a question based on the material. You have 20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. This task tests your ability to understand spoken English and articulate your response clearly.

Example

“Summarise the key points of the lecture and explain their significance.”

Response Strategy

Pay close attention to the lecture’s main points and any supporting details. Begin your response by identifying the primary idea, then elaborate on it with examples or reasoning from the lecture. Ensure your answer is structured logically and stays relevant to the question.

TOEFL Speaking Tips

Practice summarising brief audio clips or podcasts. Focus on identifying key information and organising it into a coherent summary. This will help you improve your ability to respond confidently within the given time.

In this task, you’ll listen to an academic lecture and summarise its main points. It assesses your understanding of complex ideas and your ability to communicate them effectively. You’ll have 20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to respond.

Example

"What are the key ideas presented in the lecture, and how do they connect to the topic?"

Response Strategy

Start by briefly introducing the main points discussed in the lecture. Support your summary with specific details or examples provided by the speaker. Conclude by explaining how the ideas relate to the overall topic. A well-organised response will demonstrate your ability to comprehend and convey complex information.

TOEFL Speaking Tips

Familiarise yourself with academic lectures on various topics by watching online videos or listening to educational podcasts. Practice summarising their main points, paying attention to both key details and their broader relevance.

This task presents a problem-solving scenario. The TOEFL exam preparation for this can be a little complex. You’ll be asked to propose a practical solution based on the provided information. You’ll have 20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to respond.

Example

"A student struggles to manage time between work and studies. What advice would you give?"

Response Strategy

Identify the problem clearly and propose a realistic solution. Explain why your suggestion would be effective, using examples or logical reasoning to support your response. Make your points easy to follow by presenting them in a structured format.

TOEFL Speaking Tips

For this TOEFL exam preparation, practice analysing everyday problems and coming up with solutions quickly. Work on explaining your ideas clearly and concisely within a limited timeframe.

This task requires you to respond to a lecture, often by sharing your opinion on the topic. You’ll have 20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.

Example

"Do you agree or disagree with the lecturer’s viewpoint? Explain why."

Response Strategy

State your opinion clearly at the beginning. Support your argument with points mentioned in the lecture and add examples or reasoning to strengthen your perspective. Finish with a concise conclusion that ties your points together.

TOEFL Speaking Tips

Listen to lectures on various topics and practice forming quick opinions. Focus on using specific details from the lecture to support your viewpoint while keeping your response organised and coherent.

The TOEFL Speaking section is the part of the exam where you get to showcase your English speaking skills. Knowing the TOEFL speaking topics and preparing well for each task will help you ace this section. By doing both independent and integrated tasks, you’ll be able to build strong responses that show your individual opinion and integrate information from multiple sources.

Master the TOEFL Speaking section with confidence! AECC offers expert guidance, practice materials, and personalised support to help you achieve your desired score – start your preparation today!