UpdatesTOEFL Academic Talks & Conversations: Listening Strategies 2026
Academic Talks and Conversations are the longest audio clips in the TOEFL 2026 Listening section. Master these tasks with proven note-taking strategies, question prediction techniques, and multi-speaker handling tips designed specifically for the new format.
Watch: TOEFL Listening Practice with Academic Talks
Practice with real TOEFL Listening questions, including Academic Talk passages.
Overview: Academic Talks & Conversations
These two task types represent the most complex listening challenges in TOEFL 2026.[1] While shorter than old TOEFL lectures, they still require active listening, effective note-taking, and the ability to identify main ideas and supporting details.[3]
Conversations
- • Length: 30-90 seconds
- • Questions: 2 per conversation
- • Speakers: 2 (dialogue)
- • Topics: Campus life, academic concerns
- • Challenge: Track who says what
Academic Talks
- • Length: 45-120 seconds
- • Questions: 4 per talk
- • Speakers: 1 professor/lecturer
- • Topics: Academic subjects (sciences, humanities)
- • Challenge: Capture structure and details
Key Difference from Old TOEFL: These passages are much shorter (2 minutes max vs. 5-7 minutes before).[4] This means information is more condensed—every sentence matters. You can't afford to zone out for even 10 seconds.
Note-Taking Strategies for Longer Audio
Effective note-taking is essential for Academic Talks and Conversations. You cannot rely on memory alone. Here's a proven system for capturing what matters without missing audio content.
The Cornell Note-Taking Method (Adapted for TOEFL)
Why this works: The left column captures main concepts (easy to scan when answering "main idea" questions). The right column has supporting details (for specific detail questions).
What to Write Down
- • Main topic (first 10 seconds usually reveal this)
- • Key terms and proper nouns (names, places, scientific terms)
- • Numbers and dates (common in detail questions)
- • Cause-effect relationships (X leads to Y, because of Z)
- • Examples (professors often say "for example" or "such as")
- • Contrasts ("however," "on the other hand," "unlike")
What NOT to Write Down
- • Complete sentences (too slow—use fragments)
- • Articles (a, an, the) or pronouns (he, she, it)
- • Filler words ("um," "you know," "basically")
- • Repeated information (write it once, move on)
- • Minor details unless emphasized by the speaker
Develop Your Abbreviation System
Common Abbreviations:
- • w/ = with
- • b/c = because
- • → = leads to, causes
- • ≠ = not equal, different from
- • ↑ = increase, more
- • ↓ = decrease, less
Subject-Specific:
- • ppl = people
- • gov = government
- • env = environment
- • tech = technology
- • info = information
- • diff = different
How to Predict Questions
TOEFL listening questions follow predictable patterns.[2] By understanding what ETS typically asks, you can listen strategically and take better notes.
Main Idea Questions
Example: "What is the talk mainly about?" or "Why does the student visit the professor?"
Strategy: The main idea is usually stated in the first 15-20 seconds of Academic Talks or the opening exchange of Conversations. Write "MAIN:" at the top of your notes and capture this immediately.
Detail Questions
Example: "According to the professor, what causes X?" or "What does the student need to do next?"
Strategy: Listen for specific information: causes, effects, steps in a process, requirements, deadlines. If the speaker emphasizes something or repeats it, write it down—it's likely a question.
Function Questions
Example: "Why does the professor mention Y?" or "What does the professor mean when she says Z?"
Strategy: When the speaker gives an example or makes a comparison, note why they did it. Is it to clarify a concept? Contrast two ideas? Emphasize importance? Jot down the purpose.
Inference Questions
Example: "What can be inferred about X?" or "What will the student probably do next?"
Strategy: Listen for implications and tone. If a student sounds worried, they'll likely seek help. If the professor suggests next steps, that's a probable action. Note speaker attitudes and suggestions.
Attitude/Opinion Questions
Example: "What is the professor's opinion of X?" or "How does the student feel about Y?"
Strategy: Pay attention to tone, emphasis, and opinion words ("I think," "unfortunately," "impressive," "problematic"). Note positive (+) or negative (−) markers next to speaker names.
Multi-Speaker Handling Tips (Conversations)
Conversations involve 2 speakers, which adds complexity. You need to track who says what, who initiates the conversation, and what each person's role/goal is.
Use Labels to Track Speakers
Example Notes Structure:
S: wants to change major (psych → CS)
R: explains deadline = March 15
R: needs advisor signature first
S: asks where advisor office is
R: Building 3, room 201
S = Student, R = Registrar (or use P = Professor, A = Administrator, etc.)
1. Identify speaker roles immediately
In the first 5 seconds, you'll usually hear who each person is (student, professor, librarian, etc.). Write abbreviated labels (S, P, L) and use them consistently throughout your notes.
2. Track the main problem or purpose
Conversations revolve around a specific issue: changing a grade, requesting an extension, finding a resource, etc. Identify this early and note it prominently. Questions will often ask about the purpose or outcome.
3. Note action items and next steps
By the end of most conversations, someone needs to do something (submit a form, visit an office, send an email). This is a highly testable detail. Mark it clearly in your notes (use "TODO:" or an arrow).
4. Listen for speaker attitudes
Is the student anxious? Is the professor supportive or strict? Attitude questions are common. Use simple markers like (+) for positive, (−) for negative, or (?) for uncertain/confused.
Time Management During Listening
The TOEFL Listening section is adaptive and timed. You cannot pause audio, and you must answer questions before moving to the next clip. Here's how to maximize your time efficiency.
During Audio Playback
- • Focus 100% on listening—don't overthink notes
- • Write quickly using your abbreviation system
- • If you miss something, keep moving forward
- • Don't try to write every word—capture concepts
After Audio Ends
- • Answer questions immediately while memory is fresh
- • Refer to notes for specific details (names, numbers)
- • Eliminate obviously wrong answers to narrow choices
- • Don't second-guess too much—trust first instinct
Critical: No Audio Replay
You cannot replay audio on the actual test. Practice this way at home—listen once, answer questions, move on. This builds the listening stamina and note-taking speed you need for test day.
Pacing Strategy for Adaptive Modules
The Listening section has 2 adaptive modules. Your performance on Module 1 determines Module 2 difficulty. Here's the strategic approach:
- • Module 1: Focus on accuracy over speed. Getting more correct here unlocks a harder (higher-scoring) Module 2.
- • Module 2: Maintain the same careful approach. Even if it feels harder, you're on track for a high score.
- • Time allocation: Spend ~30 seconds per question. Academic Talks get 4 questions, so budget 2 minutes after the audio ends.
Practice Recommendations
1. Practice with Academic Content
Listen to TED Talks, academic podcasts, or university lecture recordings (3-5 minutes each). Practice taking notes using the Cornell method. Then summarize the main idea and 2-3 supporting details without looking at your notes.
2. Build Note-Taking Speed
Watch short YouTube educational videos (2-3 minutes) and challenge yourself to capture the key points while listening. Review your notes afterward—did you miss any critical details? Refine your abbreviation system.
3. Train Without Transcripts
Resist the urge to read along. Practice listening-only comprehension to simulate test conditions. Only check transcripts after you've attempted to answer comprehension questions.
4. Focus on Weak Areas
If you struggle with multi-speaker dialogues, practice with interview podcasts where two people have back-and-forth exchanges. If academic vocabulary is hard, study subject-specific word lists (biology, psychology, economics, etc.).
5. Use Official ETS Materials
Official TOEFL practice tests are the gold standard. Third-party materials may not accurately represent question difficulty or audio complexity. Do at least 2-3 full-length practice tests before test day.
Sample Practice Schedule (4 Weeks)
Week 1: Focus on note-taking speed. Practice with 5-10 short lectures daily. Develop your abbreviation system.
Week 2: Practice multi-speaker dialogues. Listen to interview podcasts and track who says what.
Week 3: Take 2 full-length practice tests. Analyze mistakes—did you miss main ideas or details? Adjust note-taking strategy.
Week 4: Final review. Practice under timed conditions. Focus on accuracy and confidence-building.
Watch: TOEFL 2026 Format Explained
Understand all TOEFL 2026 changes, including how Academic Talks differ from the old lecture format.
Master All TOEFL Listening Task Types
Practice Academic Talks, Conversations, Choose a Response, and Announcements with our comprehensive TOEFL prep platform.
Start PracticingReferences & Further Reading
- TOEFL iBT Listening Section — ETS Official Website (Accessed: February 2026)
- TOEFL iBT Academic Listening Skills — ETS Official Website (Accessed: February 2026)
- TOEFL 2026 Format Updates — ETS Official Website (Accessed: February 2026)
- TOEFL iBT Test Content and Structure — ETS Official Website (Accessed: February 2026)
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