If you're trying to improve TOEFL Speaking from 24 to 26, you're not alone. Many students get stuck at that frustrating 24-point plateau. It feels like you're almost there—but the scoring system can be unforgiving without the right adjustments in your delivery, language use, and topic development. In this post, we’ll break down why students often get 24 on TOEFL Speaking, explain what you need to do differently to reach 26+, and share a real example of personalized feedback I gave to a student named Luis who was stuck at this exact score.

Why Students Often Get 24 on TOEFL Speaking

️ Delivery

• Speech may be mostly clear, but not consistently smooth.
• Minor hesitations, repeated words, or slow speaking rate lower fluency.
• A noticeable accent might interfere with comprehension at times.

Language Use

• Frequent use of basic sentence structures or repetitive vocabulary.
• Incorrect use of reflexive pronouns (e.g., saying “myself” instead of “I”).
• Fillers and vague words like “it,” “that,” or “stuff” reduce precision.

Topic Development

• Responses are organized, but often too short or underdeveloped.
• Ideas lack depth or specific examples.
• Overuse of expressions like “I think that...” weakens confidence in tone.

✅ What 26+ TOEFL Speaking Responses Do Differently

️ Delivery

• Speaking is fluid, natural, and connected.
• Thought groups are longer (5–6 stressed words), giving the response rhythm.
• Accent may still be present but does not affect understanding.

Language Use

• Use of varied sentence structures and precise vocabulary.
• Confident tone, avoiding hedging phrases like “I think that...”
• Minimal fillers and no awkward or vague phrasing.

Topic Development

• Responses are clearly organized, with specific, relevant examples.
• Each idea is developed with enough detail to sound convincing.
• Transitions are smooth, showing control of coherence.

Improve TOEFL Speaking from 24 to 26--Real Example: Luis (Improving from 24 to 26)

In the video below, I provide personalized feedback for Luis, a student who has been consistently scoring 24 on TOEFL Speaking. Like many others, he wants to push past that plateau and hit 26 or higher. If you're in the same situation, this video will help.

▶️ In this video, you’ll learn:

• Why phrases like “I think that” weaken your tone—and what to say instead
• How avoiding vague subjects like “it” improves clarity
• Why increasing your speaking rate helps fluency
• The importance of using “I” instead of “myself” as a subject
• How to eliminate repetition and fillers (e.g., “a lot… and… and…”)
• Why vowel clarity matters for Spanish speakers trying to reduce their accent

Insight: To score 26+, your speech must sound natural, confident, and connected. These adjustments make a big difference.