- This topic has 0 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 1 month, 2 weeks ago by
.
-
Posts
-
The TOEFL Speaking section is where many Nigerian students lose points they worked hard to earn. Not because their English is poor — but because of specific habits and misconceptions that quietly pull their scores down without them even knowing.
If you are preparing for the TOEFL, this article might be the most important thing you read today. Let’s go through the real mistakes, one by one.
1. Vocabulary & Grammar Errors (Language Transfer)
Translating phrases directly from your native language or using Nigerian English (NE) and Pidgin can lower your vocabulary and grammar scores.
- Using Pidgin / Nigerian Idioms: Using phrases like “I am coming” (meaning “I will be back”) or using double subjects (e.g., “My friend he went there”).
- Wrong Prepositions: Direct translations cause preposition errors, such as saying “I am looking forward for it” instead of “looking forward to it”.
- Reduplication: Repeating words for emphasis, like saying “quick quick” or “now now”, which doesn’t fit academic American English.
2. Worrying About Their Nigerian Accent
This is the number one fear. Many Nigerian students walk into the Speaking section already defeated because they believe their accent will count against them.
Here is the truth: accent is not graded clarity is. You can have a Nigerian accent and still score high if your speech is clear, organised, and fluent. The examiner does not care where you are from. They care whether they can understand you. Stop trying to fake an American accent and focus on speaking clearly.
3. Trying to Sound Too Formal and Complicated
This is a very Nigerian habit and it hurts more than it helps. Many Nigerian students believe that using big, complex vocabulary makes them sound more intelligent and improves their score.
Many test-takers overthink grammar rules and complex vocabulary, forgetting that TOEFL measures practical language use, not textbook correctness. A student might say “in view of the fact that…” instead of simply saying “because…” thinking it sounds more formal. In TOEFL, clarity and coherence matter more than heavy, complicated language.
Simple, clear English beats confusing, overly formal English every single time.
4. Not Organising Their Response Before Speaking
Many students believe that because it is a speaking section, they do not need to write or organise notes. They think they can simply use their spoken English skills to answer the question and get a good score. But the secret of the TOEFL is that it is not just a test of English it is a test of how well you can organise and deliver your thoughts in English.
You are given preparation time before each speaking task. Use it. Jot down two or three key points quickly. A structured response always scores higher than a rambling one, no matter how fluent the speaker sounds.
5. Running Out of Time or Stopping Too Early
Time management in the Speaking section is something most Nigerian beginners completely underestimate. Some students rush through their answer and go silent with ten seconds still on the clock. Others talk too slowly and get cut off mid-sentence.
The solution is to practice consistently with a timer before the exam. Spend about 80% of your allotted time on your main points and reserve 20% for a brief conclusion. This approach helps prevent rushed endings or awkward pauses.
Sixty seconds feels very different when you are nervous in an exam room. Practice under timed conditions until the pace feels natural.
6. Speaking Too Fast When Nervous
Lagos energy is real but it does not belong in the TOEFL Speaking section. When Nigerian students get nervous, they tend to speed up. The result is slurred words, dropped syllables, and a response the examiner struggles to follow.
Speaking fast increases grammar and coherence errors. Slow down deliberately. A calm, measured pace makes you sound more confident and makes your response far easier to score highly.
7. Memorising Scripted Responses
Some Nigerian students prepare by memorising long template answers word for word and trying to fit them into every question. This is a mistake that experienced TOEFL scorers recognise immediately.
Templates help, but over-memorisation sounds unnatural and reduces your score. The Speaking section tests spontaneous communication. If your response sounds robotic or rehearsed, it signals to the scorer that you cannot think and speak naturally in English which is exactly what the test is designed to measure.
Use templates as a loose framework, not a script.
8. Overusing Filler Words
“Erm… so… you know… basically…” Nigerian students often fill silence with these words while thinking of what to say next. A few are acceptable — everyone does it. But when filler words dominate a response, they signal a lack of fluency and eat into your speaking time.
Overusing the same words leads to monotonous responses that lower your score. Practise pausing briefly in silence rather than filling gaps with filler words. A short pause sounds far more confident than a string of “erm” and “you know.”
9. Ignoring the Integrated Speaking Tasks
The TOEFL Speaking section has two types of tasks Independent (where you share your own opinion) and Integrated (where you listen to or read something first, then respond). Many Nigerian beginners practise only Independent tasks because they feel more familiar.
The Speaking section assesses distinct aspects like pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation in addition to real-time thought processing. The Integrated tasks require you to summarise and connect information from different sources a completely different skill. Neglecting them going into exam day is a costly mistake.
The Fix – What You Should Do Instead
Record yourself speaking every single day. Play it back and listen critically. Do you sound clear? Are you organised? Are you rushing? Practise speaking into a voice recorder, time yourself, and listen for pauses or unclear words. This one habit alone can transform your Speaking score over 30 days.
Also, practise explaining everyday topics current events, your daily routine, opinions on simple issues out loud in English. The goal is to make English speaking feel natural, not like a performance.
Final Word
The TOEFL Speaking section is not looking for a perfect British or American accent. It is not looking for the most complicated vocabulary. It is looking for a student who can communicate clearly, organise their thoughts, and deliver a coherent response under time pressure.
Nigerian students have the intelligence, the work ethic, and the English foundation to do exactly that. The only thing standing in the way is a handful of habits and habits can be changed.
Start today. Record yourself. Time yourself. Speak clearly. Your score will follow.
You can also improve your TOEFL Score by visiting the Best Nigerian TOEFL community , which we are currently building at Odurinde eLearning site.
Check this post out.
More useful Nigerian TOEFL information you may find interesting includes :
– Common mistakes Nigerian make in the listening section of TOEFL– The TOEFL score accepted by UK universities
– University, Colleges and countries that accept TOEFL scores
– Passed TOEFL? Share Your Experience & Win ₦20,000!
– How hard is TOEFL for Nigerian students
– New to TOEFL? Join FREE TOEFL taster course at Odurinde eLearning
– What Is the Best English Language Test for Canadian University: TOEFL, IELTS or Others?
– Why Joining the Odurinde TOEFL Forum Can Improve Your TOEFL Preparation
– Can I Prepare for TOEFL in 30 Days?
– Understanding How TOEFL Scores Are Calculated
– Which Are the Best TOEFL Centres in Lagos?
– Why Confidence Matters More Than Accent in TOEFL
– I Speak Good English in School — So Why do I Struggle to Pass TOEFL
– Can Watching American Movies Improve Your TOEFL Score?
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Google