Student Perspectives on Mandatory TOEFL Before Graduation

In this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast, we dive into the experiences of Indonesian students facing the mandatory TOEFL requirement before graduation. With perspectives from students navigating the pressure of achieving a minimum score, we explore the challenges, from financial constraints to limited preparation resources. Discover how AI tools like MySpeakingScore and initiatives by universities, such as free TOEFL prep programs, are reshaping access to effective test preparation.
We also examine the broader implications of AI in education, its role in leveling the playing field, and the importance of personal growth and confidence in language learning. Join us for insights on how technology is making quality education accessible to students worldwide, empowering them to meet their language goals and unlock future opportunities.

Source

Free TOEFL Speaking practice:

• My Speaking Score

Free resources:

• TOEFL Speaking Course
• SpeechRater Blog
• SpeechRater Knowledge Base

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My Speaking Score serves 000s of users across the globe by helping them data-power their TOEFL Speaking prep.

Transcript

So, we've talked a lot about these big picture ideas, but let's bring it back to our student in Indonesia for a minute. They're facing this huge pressure to pass the TOEFL. This is the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast for the AI Era.

(0:18 - 0:23)
Welcome back to the Deep Dive. Today we're going to be taking a look at the TOEFL. Oh, the TOEFL.

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Yeah, you know, that test tons of students need to take if they want to study abroad, or sometimes even just to graduate. We've got a whole bunch of research and articles all about it. Cool.

(0:34 - 0:40)
Yeah, it's student perspectives, the history of the test. Wow. We're even going to look at how AI is starting to change things up.

(0:40 - 0:43)
Oh, interesting. Yeah. So, let's jump right in.

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Okay. Imagine you're a student, let's say, in Indonesia. All right.

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You're working hard trying to get your degree, but there's this one big hurdle. Okay. You have to pass the TOEFL with a score of at least 450 just to graduate.

(0:57 - 1:02)
Oh, wow. Yeah, and that's the reality for students at these three universities in ACE. Okay.

(1:03 - 1:12)
So, we've got Malakisola University, Samudera University, and Gajah Putih University. Got it. All of them, 450 minimum on the TOEFL.

(1:12 - 1:21)
Yeah, I can see how that would be pretty stressful. Oh, absolutely. And from what I've been reading in this research, a lot of students feel super anxious and unprepared.

(1:22 - 1:27)
Really? Yeah, they just don't feel ready for it. I mean, it makes sense. The TOEFL is a pretty comprehensive exam.

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It tests you on all these different aspects of English. True. Reading, listening, speaking, writing.

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Yeah, you really got to know your stuff. It's not just about being able to chat with someone. You have to be able to read complex academic texts, understand different accents.

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Right, right. And then, of course, express yourself clearly in writing and speaking. It's a whole different ballgame.

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It is. And you know what? I was actually really surprised to learn just how long the TOEFL has been around. Oh, really? Yeah.

(1:57 - 2:04)
It's been a big deal in international education since, get this, 1963. Wow, that's a long time. I know.

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It's really stood the test of time. It has. It's basically the gold standard for English proficiency worldwide.

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Yeah, I guess you could say that. Yeah. But even with it being around for so long, it sounds like getting good resources to prepare is still a major challenge for a lot of students, especially in places like Indonesia.

(2:22 - 2:27)
Yeah, I was reading about that, too. I mean, some students just can't afford prep courses. Right.

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And they end up cramming for the test just a few days before. Oh. Not a good situation.

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Not at all. And on top of that, some students even mentioned that the cost of the TOEFL exam itself was a problem. Oh, wow.

(2:39 - 2:44)
So it's like a double whammy. Exactly. It's like you're already stressed about the test itself.

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Yeah. And then you've got to worry about how you're even going to afford to take it in the first place. It's an extra barrier.

(2:48 - 3:00)
For sure. Now, here's where things get interesting. One of the universities, Samudera University, they actually provide the TOEFL exam and prep materials for free.

(3:00 - 3:03)
Hmm. Whoa. Really? That's amazing.

(3:03 - 3:07)
Right. It's a pretty incredible initiative. I mean, think about the impact that has on students.

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It makes you wonder if all three universities offered that same level of support. Yeah. Would it like totally change how students perform on the test? I would think so.

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I mean, access to resources is huge. Right. Like if you don't even have the materials to study, how are you supposed to succeed? Exactly.

(3:25 - 3:31)
And if you're constantly stressed about the cost of everything, it's hard to focus on actually learning. Yeah. That makes a lot of sense.

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Okay. So we've talked about the challenges, but now let's talk about solutions. Because guess what? AI is starting to play a huge role in TOEFL prep.

(3:40 - 3:46)
No way. Really? Yeah. And I was super fascinated by this one tool called MySpeakingScore.

(3:46 - 3:49)
I've heard of that. You have? Yeah, I think so. It's pretty cool.

(3:50 - 3:55)
Over 100,000 students are already using it to get ready for the speaking section of the TOEFL. Wow. That's a lot of students.

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It is. And it's all powered by this AI technology called SpeechRater. SpeechRater.

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So basically, it can analyze your speech and give you feedback on things like pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary. Interesting. Even fluency.

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So it's kind of like having a personal tutor right there in your pocket. That's exactly what it's like. That's pretty cool.

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I know. And the best part is it's available to anyone with an internet connection. So it doesn't matter where you live or how much money you have, you can still access this technology.

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That's the idea. It's like leveling the playing field for everyone. I love that.

(4:30 - 4:33)
I do too. It's pretty amazing when you think about it. It is.

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I mean, we could have a student in a tiny village in Indonesia getting the same kind of feedback and support as a student in New York City or London. Wow. The power of technology.

(4:45 - 4:47)
Right. That's really incredible. It is.

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And it makes me really curious to learn more about exactly how my speaking score works. Yeah. Me too.

(4:54 - 5:00)
Let's dig into that a little bit more. So my speaking score really zeros in on the speaking section of the TOEFL. Yeah.

(5:01 - 5:05)
Which can be pretty terrifying for a lot of people. Oh, totally. It's like you're suddenly in the spotlight.

(5:05 - 5:10)
You have to speak clearly, think on your feet, and make sure your grammar is perfect. Oh, well, the clock is kicking. Right.

(5:10 - 5:18)
Exactly. So that's where my speaking score steps in. It's designed to simulate the real TOEFL speaking test environment.

(5:19 - 5:24)
Okay. So you're not just like practicing random English conversations. No, it's way more targeted than that.

(5:24 - 5:30)
You're actually working through prompts and questions that are very similar to what you'll see on the actual exam. That's smart. Yeah.

(5:30 - 5:42)
And here's where the AI magic happens. Okay. So after you record your response, my speaking score uses that speech rater technology we were talking about to really analyze your speech.

(5:42 - 5:47)
Okay, cool. But what does that analysis actually look like? It's pretty impressive. Like, is it just a score? No, no.

(5:47 - 5:54)
It's way more in-depth than just a simple score. Okay. My speaking score actually breaks down your performance in all these different areas.

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Like what? Well, for starters, pronunciation. Okay. So it might flag specific words you mispronounced and even give you tips on how to improve.

(6:04 - 6:07)
Wow. So it's like really personalized feedback. Exactly.

(6:07 - 6:12)
It's tailored to your specific strengths and weaknesses. That's awesome. And it doesn't stop there.

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It also looks at your grammar, how you're using vocabulary, the overall organization of your response, and even your fluency. Like having a little TOEFL coach in your pocket. I know, right? It's pretty amazing.

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Yeah, it is. And the fact that it's all powered by AI means you get that feedback instantly. Exactly.

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You don't have to wait for a teacher to grade your work or anything like that. And, you know, thinking about it practically, I can't even imagine how much time and money it would cost to have a human tutor provide that level of detailed feedback on every single practice response. Oh, absolutely.

(6:47 - 6:57)
It would be impossible for most students. So in a way, this technology is really making high-quality test prep accessible to so many more people. That's exactly what's so exciting about it.

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It's kind of leveling the playing field. I love that. And it's not just limited to TOEFL prep either.

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Oh, really? AI is starting to transform education in all sorts of ways. That's cool. We're seeing these really personalized and adaptive approaches to learning popping up everywhere.

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Like what? Well, think about those language learning apps that have become so popular. Oh, yeah. A lot of them are using AI to tailor the lessons to your specific level and learning style.

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Oh, that's interesting. It's pretty cool. And it's not just language learning either.

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AI is being used for things like math tutoring, creating personalized study plans, you name it. It's almost like AI is becoming this personal tutor for everyone. In a way, yeah.

(7:40 - 7:56)
It's pretty remarkable. It is, but it also kind of makes you wonder... What's that? What does this mean for the future of human teachers? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Yeah, like will AI eventually replace teachers altogether? Well, some people worry about that, but personally, I don't think so. Me neither.

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I mean, there's something really special about that human connection in education. Absolutely. The mentorship, the guidance, the emotional support that a teacher provides.

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You can't really get that from a machine. Exactly. And I think that's where human teachers will always have an edge.

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That makes sense. So maybe it's not about AI versus teachers, but about finding ways for them to work together. I think so.

(8:17 - 8:23)
Like maybe AI can handle some of the more routine tasks. Right. Like grading or providing basic feedback.

(8:24 - 8:36)
And that frees up teachers to focus on things that really require human interaction. Like fostering creativity, critical thinking, building those relationships with students. I like that idea.

(8:36 - 8:42)
Me too. Okay. So we've talked a lot about these big picture ideas, but let's bring it back to our student in Indonesia for a minute.

(8:42 - 8:46)
Okay. They're facing this huge pressure to pass the TOEFL. Right.

(8:47 - 8:59)
What advice would you give them based on everything we've discussed? Well, first of all, I'd say don't panic. Easier said than done, I'm sure. I know, but seriously, there are resources out there to help, and you shouldn't be afraid to use them.

(8:59 - 9:05)
Like MySpeakingScore. Exactly. That could be a game changer, especially if they're feeling stuck with the speaking section.

(9:06 - 9:16)
It can help them identify their weaknesses, get targeted practice, build their confidence. And definitely take advantage of any free resources offered by their university. Oh, absolutely.

(9:16 - 9:21)
What Samadera University is doing, that's fantastic. Right. Every little bit helps.

(9:21 - 9:30)
And beyond that, I'd say approach the TOEFL with a growth mindset. What do you mean by that? Don't focus on being perfect. It's okay to make mistakes.

(9:31 - 9:33)
That's how you learn. It's about the process. Exactly.

(9:34 - 9:40)
And remember, learning a language takes time and dedication. It's a journey. It is, but it's a rewarding one.

(9:40 - 9:54)
Okay. So with the help of tools like MySpeakingScore and the right mindset, our student in Indonesia could actually achieve their dream of studying abroad or whatever it is they're hoping to do. That's the goal.

(9:54 - 10:03)
And it's totally achievable. It's amazing to see how technology is opening up these opportunities for people all over the world. It really is.

(10:03 - 10:05)
Okay. So we've covered a lot of ground today. We have.

(10:05 - 10:10)
The challenges of the TOEFL, the role of AI in education. It's been a great discussion. It has.

(10:10 - 10:23)
But I'm curious, what are your thoughts on the future of language learning in general? Ooh, that's a big one. I know. Like, do you think we'll ever reach a point where language barriers just don't exist anymore? Because of AI.

(10:23 - 10:25)
Yeah. Hmm. That's a fascinating question.

(10:25 - 10:32)
I mean, it's a pretty wild thought, right? It is. Like imagine a world where everyone can understand each other perfectly. No more language barriers.

(10:32 - 10:39)
Yeah, it would be incredible. I know. The possibilities for communication and collaboration would be limitless.

(10:39 - 10:50)
Totally. But even if AI could like wave a magic wand and make that happen. Don't you think there would still be something special about learning a language yourself? Oh, absolutely.

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Like about experiencing a culture through its native tongue? Yeah. There's a certain depth to language. Right.

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That goes way beyond just the words themselves. I totally agree. It's like you were saying earlier about reading a book in its original language versus a translation.

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Yeah. You might get the gist of the story. Right.

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But you're missing out on all those nuances and subtleties. Exactly. The author's voice, the wordplay.

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It's just not the same. And learning a language, it kind of opens up your mind to new ways of thinking and seeing the world. It's like a journey.

(11:21 - 11:26)
It is. So maybe AI can help us break down some of those communication barriers. For sure.

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But it can't replace that experience of really immersing yourself in another language and culture. I agree. It's like AI can be a tool, but language is so much more than just a tool.

(11:39 - 11:51)
It's part of who we are. Well said. So for our listeners out there, if you're feeling a little intimidated by the TOEFL, or any language for that matter, I hope this conversation has given you some hope.

(11:51 - 11:54)
Me too. And maybe even a little inspiration. Absolutely.

(11:54 - 12:04)
With the right tools and resources, anyone can achieve their language goals. And thankfully, those tools and resources are becoming more accessible all the time. Thanks to AI.

(12:05 - 12:08)
Exactly. So embrace the challenge. Explore the possibilities.

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Yeah. Learning a new language is a gift. It is.

(12:11 - 12:18)
It'll enrich your life in so many ways. And hey, maybe one day you'll be having conversations with people from all over the world in their native languages. I love that.

(12:19 - 12:22)
That's a future I'm definitely excited for. Me too. All right.

(12:22 - 12:31)
Well, that's about all the time we have for today. Wow. Thanks for joining us for this deep dive into the world of the TOEFL and the future of language learning.

(12:31 - 12:36)
It's been a pleasure. It has. Until next time, keep diving, keep learning, and keep exploring.