Although the TOEFL exam is created by an American organization and predominantly uses American English in its materials, both American and British English are perfectly acceptable for test takers. Simply choose the English variant you’re most comfortable with and maintain consistency throughout all sections of the exam.
The TOEFL is one of the major tests that gauge applicants’ ability worldwide to use and understand English, and is commonly used as a requirement for admission to university level studies. Since the TOEFL is a test available globally and it assesses listening, as well as speaking skills, in addition to reading, writing and grammar, many applicants wonder if they should use American English or British English and whether speaking in a particular accent would affect their score.
Is TOEFL American or British?
Although global by nature, TOEFL is based on American English, as the test is created by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). ETS is a nonprofit organization headquartered in the state of New Jersey in the United States. All texts found on the exam use American spelling. In addition, many of the speakers on Listening and Speaking parts of the exam will be American.
So, what should you do? Should you learn to speak in an American accent and use American spelling if you want to do well on the TOEFL, or is there no such requirement?
The short answer is no – British English and other English spelling styles are perfectly acceptable in the test. Test takers can use British English as long as they maintain consistency throughout the exam.
What Are the TOEFL Parts and How Do They Test English Proficiency?
The TOEFL exam tests all four language skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. While you might hear British or American English accents in the Listening section, all test sections are designed to evaluate your general English proficiency, not your ability to use a specific accent or English variant.
Speaking: Is a British or American English Accent Important for TOEFL?
As a test taker, you might be wondering if you need to convert from British English to American English for the TOEFL exam. While you might be more familiar with either style, your accent won’t impact your TOEFL score – the exam only evaluates how well you communicate. If you have studied British English at school and this is the variety of English you are most comfortable with, there is absolutely nothing wrong with speaking with a British accent. The most important factor is to ensure your pronunciation is clear and accurate so that TOEFL raters can easily understand you.
Emilie Pooler, who is now Director of Client Management at Educational Testing Service (ETS) but previously worked as an assessment specialist for TOEFL, told the Hindu Education plus: “As long as the evaluator can understand what the test taker is trying to convey, he/she will make it through. The British or Indian accent will not be a criterion for disqualification.”
You do not stand to lose points for having an accent, so do not worry if you are unable to pronounce certain sounds as native English speakers. Irrespective of your accent, however, you should have the right intonation and put emphasis on the right syllables, so your speaking is intelligible to TOEFL raters.
Listening: How Different Accents Impact Your TOEFL Performance
Regarding the Listening section on the TOEFL, ETS points out that there are other native-speaker English accents in addition to accents from North America. Test takers may hear accents from the UK, New Zealand or Australia. ETS explains that it had added these accents to better reflect the variety of native English accents students may encounter while studying abroad.
This is a very important clarification because it shows that while you don’t have to speak and write in American English, you still need to be familiar with different accents. It will definitely help if you have listened to British and American English extensively. You should not worry about it too much, however. The accent, be it American, British, or Australian, will not be very strong. You can rest assured that you will not hear any extreme Scottish accents, for example, which have the potential to make life difficult even for native English speakers.
Reading and Writing: TOEFL Spelling Differences
Understanding the spelling differences between American and British English will help you recognize vocabulary in all TOEFL test parts.
American English is predominantly used for TOEFL, especially when it comes to spelling. For instance, words like “colour” in British English are spelled “color” in American English. Though TOEFL accepts both, sticking to one form throughout the Writing section – whether British or American English – is crucial to avoid confusion.
Other common spelling differences you might encounter are “centre” vs. “center”, “theatre” vs. “theater”, and “programme” vs. “program”. While test materials will use American spelling conventions, TOEFL raters are trained to recognize and accept British spelling patterns, so you won’t lose points as long as you maintain consistency in your chosen style throughout your responses.
Understanding TOEFL’s Accent and Pronunciation Requirements
As we have already established, TOEFL does not require you to use a specific accent – whether American or British. However, clear pronunciation is essential, as TOEFL focuses on intelligibility rather than accent. You may hear various accents in the Listening section, but clarity in pronunciation during the Speaking section plays a key role in determining your score.
It is generally a bad idea to mix different accents and spelling styles. If you do that, your speaking and writing may become confusing to the reader/listener, or in this particular case, the TOEFL rater.
But even if you do switch a bit, it will not be fatal as long as you are using correct English words and grammar so that English speakers understand you.
Check out: How TOEFL Tests Your Speaking Skills
Global Nature of the TOEFL: Understanding Its Universal Appeal
TOEFL is a global exam that assesses English proficiency for university admission and beyond. To better understand why there would be no problem if you use a variety of the English language other than American, you need to put yourself in the shoes of the test makers. Being aware that people from all around the world will sit the exam, ETS removes elements of the test that may not be universally understood – slang, obscure words, strong accents, regionalisms, dialects, unclear references etc. The accents you may encounter in the test, although noticeably different, will be clear and easy to understand by a person with a good command of the English language.
Check out: The TOEFL Test to Be Shortened by 30 Minutes
One of the first things you can read when you open the TOEFL website is this: “Accepted by more than 13,000 universities and other institutions in over 160 countries, and preferred worldwide, the TOEFL iBT is the world's premier English-language test for study, work and immigration.”
The test is designed to be universally understandable, which means it welcomes both British and American English, as long as you follow the standard rules of grammar and vocabulary for whichever form you choose.
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