This video provides a comprehensive guide to mastering the TOEFL iBT speaking section for the 2026 version, focusing on test structure, essential vocabulary, and effective strategies for achieving a high score.
Mind Map
Click to expand
Click to explore the full interactive mind map • Zoom, pan, and navigate
If you want to earn the highest score on
the TOEFL IBT speaking section, keep
watching this video. Today, we'll work
through the entire speaking test, share
some helpful tips, and give you a chance
to practice as [music] if it were test
day. For those of you who are new to the
channel, I'm Anastasia. I scored 119 out
of 120 on the TOEFL, and I have been
helping students prepare for it for over
10 years. On this [music] channel,
you'll find all the information you need
to ace the TOEFL. So, feel free to
subscribe and click the bell icon to
ensure you don't miss our upcoming
videos. Over the next couple of weeks,
I'll release many practice videos for
the 2026 TOEFL version. Now, the 2026
TOEFL speaking section consists of two
tasks. First, there is the listen and
repeat task. And second, there is the
take an interview task. First, let's
review the listen and repeat task. For
this part of the test, you listen to
seven [music] sentences and repeat them.
Your job is to listen and repeat the
sentences exactly as you hear them.
Speak clearly so the examiner can
understand you.
demonstrate good pronunciation and
intonation. Let's give it a try.
Welcome to the permanent exhibition on
This gallery displays original works
Please observe the brush strokes,
[music] texture, and composition of each painting.
Many pieces are arranged chronologically
The curator has selected these works to
Pay attention to the use of perspective,
We'll conclude the tour with a brief
How was that? During this practice, you
were able to see the sentence after each
attempt so that you could check
yourself. You won't have that support on
the day of the test. I've included it
here simply to make practicing easier
and less stressful. Now, let's read the
same sentences again. [music]
This time, let's read them more slowly,
focusing on pronunciation and enunciation.
enunciation.
Welcome to the permanent exhibition
[music] on the ground floor.
This gallery displays original works
from the museum's collection.
Please observe the brush strokes,
texture, and composition of each painting.
painting.
Many pieces are arranged chronologically
to show artistic development.
The curator has selected these works to
highlight key movements and styles.
Pay attention to the use of perspective,
contrast, and color harmony.
We'll conclude the tour with a brief
discussion near the final installation.
Now, let's review a few words that might
have caused some confusion. Most of them
are related to art and art galleries.
Exhibition. An exhibition is when
artworks are shown to the public in a
planned way. It usually has a theme. So,
all the paintings or sculptures are
connected by one idea, time period, or artist.
artist.
When you walk into a museum and see
signs for a new show, that show is an exhibition.
exhibition.
Two, brush strokes. Brush strokes are
the marks an artist leaves with a
paintbrush. In some paintings, [music]
they're smooth and almost invisible,
while in others, they're thick and easy
to see. Different artists use brush
strokes in different ways and this often
becomes part of their personal style. [music]
[music]
Three, texture. Texture describes how a
painting surface looks or how it would
feel if you could touch it. Some
paintings look flat and smooth while
others look rough or layered because the
paint was applied thickly. When people
discuss works of art, you'll often hear
this word used.
Four, composition.
Composition is about how everything is
arranged in a painting. This includes
where the main subject is placed, how
the space is used, and how the viewer's
eye moves across the image. If a work
has strong composition, it feels
balanced and [music] clear. If it
doesn't, viewers may find it less impressive.
impressive.
Five, chronologically.
When artworks are arranged
chronologically, they are placed in time
order from the earliest to the most
recent. This helps viewers see how an
artist's style changed or how art
developed over time. Museums often use
this layout to tell a visual story.
Six, curator. A curator is the person
who decides what you see in an
exhibition. They choose which artworks
will be shown, how they will be
arranged, [music] and what story the
exhibition tells. In many ways, the
curator is like the author of the exhibition.
exhibition.
Finally, an installation is a type of
artwork that often fills an entire space
rather than hanging on a wall. It can
include objects, light, sound, or even
movement. You can walk through an art
installation instead of simply looking
at it. Now, let's proceed to part two.
In this section of the test, you will
see four questions. [music] You will
need to answer each of them in 45
seconds. and there will be no time to
prepare. So, you must start speaking immediately.
immediately.
This is the main drawback compared to
the 2025 version of the test in which
you had 15 seconds to prepare for one
independent question. Now, here are some
of my tips for the speaking task two in 2026.
2026.
One, use templates to organize your
responses. Having an opening statement
that you know well is extremely helpful
when the question feels difficult and
you're not sure what to say. It also
gives you a few extra seconds to think
while you're already speaking. If your
mind goes blank during the exam, you can
start with a familiar sentence and then
build your answer using a structure you
already know. For example, if you're
asked about your favorite food, you
could say, "Well, there are several
kinds of food I enjoy. One of them is
another one is and so on."
Two, make sure to include details. [music]
[music]
TOEFL writers appreciate it when you
support your ideas with personal stories
and real experiences. [music]
This also allows you to use past tenses
and show topic specific vocabulary. In
my 101 sessions, I often see students
focus only on general facts. As a
[music] result, they repeat the same
idea several times, which usually leads
to a lower score.
Three, think of your response as a small
pyramid. Start by answering the question
directly. [music]
Then give your main reason and finally
support it with a detailed example or story.
story.
You can find high-scoring templates in
our brand new TOEFL prep course for the
2026 version of the test which I have
been creating and filming for the last
couple of months. I've tested these
templates with intermediate level
students who usually struggle to speak
quickly, especially when they have to
respond within 45 seconds and without
preparation. Even more encouraging, one
of my pre-intermediate students who is
now preparing for the TOEFL with me
earned a solid 3.5
out of four after using these templates
in her responses. So, if you'd like to
learn more, feel free to check out the
course using the link below. Now, you
have agreed to take part in an online
interview for a university research
project [snorts] about learning and
daily habits. You will answer questions
from a pre-recorded interviewer. You
will have 45 seconds to answer each
question. There is no preparation time.
[music] Begin speaking as soon as you
hear the question. Thank you for joining
the interview today. To begin [music]
with, I'd like you to think about your
daily routine. Can you describe one
habit you have that helps you stay
productive or focused during [music] the day?
One habit that really helps me stay
productive is planning my day in
advance. I usually take about 10 minutes
in the morning to write a short list of
tasks I want to complete, which helps me
see what's most important and avoid
wasting time. For example, back in
college, I often worked without a plan
and ended up jumping between tasks and
losing focus. Now, when I organize my
day ahead of time, I feel calmer and
more in control, and I finish my work
much more efficiently.
That's interesting. Some people prefer
to study or work alone, while others
prefer doing these activities with other
people. Which do you prefer and [music] why?
I personally prefer uh studying alone,
especially when I need to focus deeply.
When I work by myself, I can control my
pace and take breaks whenever I need.
For example, during my sophomore year, I
would usually stay in my bedroom and ask
my roommates not to disturb me so I
could concentrate and review the
material more efficiently. This approach
helped me prepare effectively and
allowed me to perform very well on most
of my exams. Now, I'd like to ask for
your opinion. Some people believe that
technology has made learning more
effective and [music] accessible. Others
think it has become a distraction.
[music] Do you think technology has
improved the learning experience overall?
overall?
I believe technology has significantly
enhanced the learning experience by
providing students with easy access to
information and learning. resources from
anywhere. For example, online courses
and educational platforms allow people
to learn at their own pace, which is
especially helpful for busy students. In
the past, if you wanted a learning
experience, you had to travel. However,
these days you can take courses from all
over the world and meet people from many
walks of life without even leaving your
apartment. Of course, technology can be
distracting if not used properly, but I
think the benefits clearly outweigh the
drawbacks when students use it
responsibly. [music]
Thank you. Let me ask you one final
question. [music] Many universities are
trying to create more flexible learning
environments such as online courses or
hybrid classes. Do you think this kind
of [music] flexibility benefits students
Yes, I [music]
do believe that flexible learning
environments positively affects students
by allowing them to balance their
studies with work, family
responsibilities, and personal goals.
For example, online or hybrid classes
make education more accessible for
students who can't attend traditional
classes on a daily basis since they can
study from the comfort of their own
homes. I have a few friends who are
homemakers with full-time family responsibilities
responsibilities
and they're now able to pursue their
master's degrees remotely. So, in the
long run, I think this kind of
flexibility helps learners stay
motivated, [music] reduce unnecessary
stress, and continue making progress
toward their goals. In each response,
remember to answer the question
directly. Move from a general idea to
specific details. [music]
Give at least one reason or example.
Speak clearly and confidently. Use
natural pauses and intonation. Well,
that brings our video to the end. I hope
you enjoyed it and found it helpful. As
you can see, the speaking section of the
2026 TOEFL test isn't as scary as it may
seem. Feel free to share your responses
in the comments below so I can take a
look and give you feedback. And don't
forget to subscribe to the channel so
you don't miss new TOEFL 2026 practice
videos. As always, I wish you a stellar
TOEFL score. See you in the next video. Bye.
Click on any text or timestamp to jump to that moment in the video
Share:
Most transcripts ready in under 5 seconds
One-Click Copy125+ LanguagesSearch ContentJump to Timestamps
Paste YouTube URL
Enter any YouTube video link to get the full transcript
Transcript Extraction Form
Most transcripts ready in under 5 seconds
Get Our Chrome Extension
Get transcripts instantly without leaving YouTube. Install our Chrome extension for one-click access to any video's transcript directly on the watch page.
