The new edition of Toward Speaking Excellence addresses the recent changes to the Test of Spoken English (TSE®). The text introduces readers to the format of the new TSE®, typical questions, and scoring criteria. The second edition of Toward Speaking Excellence includes actual student responses that are used or modified to highlight specific characteristics of effective communication. Two complete sample TSE®-like tests are included for further practice. Also provided are practice with some of the skills that, while no longer tested on the TSE®, are key to sounding more native-like and fluent.

Toward Speaking Excellence may be used as an individual study tool or as a course text. While the material is directed toward the TSE® and SPEAK® tests, the communication strategies presented will prepare students for other types of oral exams (including the TAST®, interviews, and performance tests. Toward Speaking Excellence is a course book but may also be used for individual test-preparation/self-study.

Dean Papajohn is a Specialist in Education at the Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign..