Speaker
Abstract section 2: Contribution/research questions
This presentation reports the results of a comparative study of the listening sections of the new TOEFL iBT and IELTS and clarifies their distinctive characteristics by addressing the following research questions:
(1) What differences exist in speakers, topics, and academic genres between the two listening sections?
(2) How does speech rate vary across audio genres in the two tests?
(3) What differences are found in question types and their frequency?
Abstract section 4: Outcomes/results
Analysis of authentic listening materials from official textbooks reveals distinctive features of the new TOEFL iBT and IELTS. Preliminary findings indicate that the new TOEFL iBT contains shorter scripts across all four task types compared with IELTS Listening. A notable difference emerges in the comparison of new TOEFL iBT Task 4 and IELTS Part 4: the TOEFL features shorter lecture-based scripts with a slightly higher speech rate, whereas IELTS includes longer lecture- or presentation-based scripts with a slightly lower speech rate. These findings contribute to educators’ understanding of performance factors and inform test-specific listening pedagogy.
Abstract section 1: Relevance
One tendency regarding the TOEFL iBT and IELTS, two widely accepted language proficiency tests, is that their listening sections are often regarded as equivalent due to their seemingly similar formats. However, important differences likely exist in script features, recorded materials, and question types. Moreover, the TOEFL iBT was revised on January 21, 2026, introducing four new listening task types (ETS, 2025). Because this format is new, little research has compared its listening construct with that of IELTS. Clarifying these differences may also elucidate effective methods for developing listening skills, including dictation (Yonezawa, 2014), shadowing (Hamada, 2019), and recitation (Matsuzaki, 2018).
Abstract section 5: References
Cambridge University Press & Assessment. (2024). IELTS 19 Academic. Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment. (2025). IELTS 20 Academic. Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
ETS. (2025). Updated TOEFL iBT test overview. https://www.ets.org/pdfs/toefl/toefl-ibt-test-overview.pdf
ETS. (2026). The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT Test: Pocket edition. https://toeflibt.ets.org/test-prep/6109
Hamada, Y. (2019). Shadowing: What is it? How to use it? Where will it go? RELC Journal, 50(3), 386–393. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033688218771380
Li, Y. (2018). A comparison of TOEFL iBT and IELTS reading tests. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 6, 283–309. https://www.scirp.org/html/23-1762017_86930.htm
Matsuzaki, T. (2018). Text recitation in foreign language learning: Its effectiveness on learning of multi-word expressions. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 18(5), 78–97.
Matsuzono, Y. (2023, November 25–26). A comparative study of TOEFL iBT and IELTS listening [Paper presentation]. JALT2023: 49th Annual International Conference on Language Teaching and Learning, Tokyo, Japan.
Qurbi, E. (2024). Temporal measurements for second language speaking fluency. East European Journal of Psycholinguistics, 11(2), 142–153. https://doi.org/10.29038/eejpl.2024.11.2.qur
Yonezawa, H. (2014). Effectiveness of dictation in improving English listening ability of Japanese high school students. Research Reports of Nagaoka National College of Technology, 50, 21–30. https://kinpoku.nagaoka-ct.ac.jp/lib/kiyo/vol_46-50/vol_50/50_21yonezaki.pdf
Abstract section 3: Content/method
The study applies Matsuzono’s (2023) comparative framework, drawing on methods discussed by Li (2018), to examine differences in script structure, recording length, and question types. Speech rate was calculated in words per minute following Qurbi (2024). The dataset included 64 scripts/recordings and 107 questions from The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT Test: Pocket Edition (ETS, 2026) and 32 scripts/recordings and 320 questions from IELTS 19–20 Academic (Cambridge University Press & Assessment, 2024, 2025).
| Title | A Comparative Analysis of New TOEFL iBT and IELTS Listening |
|---|---|
| Teaching Context | College and university education |