Integrated Speaking: Changing a Major
Read/listen to the source, then speak: summarize and respond in about 60 seconds. Integration — carrying information from a text into speech — is also the core academic skill behind lectures and seminars.
The source (Conversation between a student and his academic advisor)
Student: Thanks for seeing me, Dr. Patel. I've been thinking a lot this semester, and I'd like to change my major from biology to computer science.
Advisor: I'm glad you came in early. That's a significant change, so let's look at how it affects your degree plan. How far along are you?
Student: I'm a sophomore. I've finished most of my general education courses, plus two biology classes.
Advisor: Good news, then. Your general education credits all transfer, and one of your biology courses can count as a science elective. However, computer science requires calculus, which you haven't taken yet.
Student: I was worried about that. Would I have to stay an extra semester?
Advisor: Not necessarily. If you take calculus this summer and start the introductory programming course in the fall, you can still graduate on time. But the summer course is intensive — six weeks, four days a week.
Student: I think I can handle that. Is there anything else I should do?
Advisor: Yes. You need to submit the change-of-major form before March 1, and I'd recommend joining the programming club to build some experience. Let's meet again in two weeks to finalize your schedule.
Your task
The student is discussing a change of major with his academic advisor. Summarize what the student wants to do, and describe the advisor's recommendations.
Record your answer, play it back, and compare it with the model. Recordings stay in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model response & content points — after recording
The student tells his advisor that he wants to change his major from biology to computer science, because that is where his real interest lies. The advisor explains the good news first: all of his general education credits will transfer, and one biology course can even count as a science elective. However, there is one problem — he has not taken calculus, which computer science requires. To avoid graduating late, the advisor suggests taking calculus in the summer and starting the introductory programming course in the fall. She also reminds him to submit the change-of-major form before March 1, join the programming club, and meet her again in two weeks.
Points a full answer includes
- The student wants to change his major from biology to computer science.
- His general education credits all transfer, and one biology course counts as a science elective.
- He still needs calculus, a required course he has not taken yet.
- The advisor recommends summer calculus and fall programming so he can still graduate on time.
- He must file the change-of-major form before March 1 and meet the advisor again in two weeks.
Self-evaluation checklist (after each recording)
This checklist is a self-study tool. It is NOT an official TOEFL score and no browser tool can give one — use it to find the one thing to fix next time.