Speaking is one of the most challenging English language skills for many TOEIC test takers to master. Even native speakers are often terrified when they first have to give a formal presentation to an audience: the fear of public speaking is in fact our most common phobia, with many saying that this fear is worse for them than even fear of death.

If you are preparing for TOEIC, however, giving a public speech is not what you have to master. You will be speaking privately and simply into the “ears” of a computer and being scored by expert raters who score international English anonymously and objectively, with no judgments based on accent or knowledge of who you are.

Speaking “to a computer” of course can generate its own fears (though in today’s VOIP- and DVC-connected business world you may be doing it every day). Fortunately there are many learner-friendly forums that will develop your skills and your confidence.

Many such “safe places” are described in teacher Larry Ferlazzo’s “Best of” blog. He has multiple lists of free, useful sites related to speaking English, with separate lists on areas such as pronunciation, conversational English, and “chat bots.” A list of Larry’s speaking-related lists (http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2010/04/06/best-speaking-sites/) provides a great central place to start exploring.

After using whichever of Larry’s recommended sites appeal to you, whether you prefer finding a speaking partner or creating a virtual world avatar to “speak for you,” I recommend our own online tools for more concentrated work on your skills. The module of the ETS English Skills series on “Pronunciation in English” offers over 300 lessons with audio, video, immediate feedback, record and playback options, translations to refer to, and much more. A full description is at http://forms.amideast.org/forms/toeicusa/proddispl.aspx?product_id=6bcb6301-f4e0-4205-99d6-041a56c30050.