備考托福這麼久了，同學們都能理解口語好不等於發音好聽，內容也很重要。但是一提到托福備考，很多同學腦子裡卻只有模版和段子，說出來的口語就像小學生模仿家裡大人說話，不光磕磕絆絆，前言不接後語，意思也經常連不起來。
一言以蔽之，想讓考官聽得懂聽得舒服，口語的邏輯很重要。
根據以上圖片展示的托福評分標準，足以見口語表達邏輯性的重要。托福獨立口語和綜合口語，有各自的評分標準，不過也有相似處，比如general description，delivery, language use, topic development，這對話題的有效拓展，句子表達之間的流暢連接以及表達流利度和有效性均有要求，這些要求實質上就是對於同學在口語邏輯能力的考察。
除了滿足於評分標準之外，若是同學備考時間比較少，沒有很多時間來背誦單詞，或是沒辦法將很多整理的素材靈活運用，這個時候最有效的方法就是梳理口語邏輯。相比於死記硬背模版和段子，同學在老師的輔導下學會梳理自己的答題思路，學會總結和拓展，並在此基礎上形成自己的口語解題風格，可以幫助學生把自己現有的知識和能力充分發揮出來。
這裡在講點題外話，邏輯除了可以幫助我們拿到口語高分，也與我們日後的留學生活和工作密切相關。比如，一些學校和專業會組織面試，根據你面試的表現來決定最後是否錄取和獎學金的發放。在公司上班，好的邏輯可以幫助你有效地與同事溝通，在會議上井井有條地傳達任務和獲取別人的幫助，公司很少會重用話表達無重點不清楚的員工。
托福口語的邏輯如此重要，那究竟該如何專項提高呢？接下來阿倫老師給你幾個能夠馬上用來的辦法。
例1:
Some people believe it is important to learn a second language while others don』t believe it is necessary. Which one do you agree with and why?
同學回答：
I agree that it is important to learn a second language because it can help me to make friends with foreigners and know about exotic culture.
這樣的回答就不夠有邏輯，交朋友和了解異域文化是兩個不錯的理由去學習外語，但是這兩個動機是如何與外語聯繫起來則需要更多的解釋。
例2：
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Kids should be allowed to keep pets.
同學回答：
I think children can keep pets.
Having pets is good for children’s mental and physical development. Take a pet dog as an example.As a pet owner, a child should take responsibility for the dog, including walking him and taking him out every day. This could encourage the child to go outside more. Kids would therefore spend less time with electronics and more time doing exercise .
Also a pet can make kids feel loved. Many parents are busy with work and have little time to keep their children company. A pet can be an excellent alternative. While playing with pets, children will feel less lonely and more emotionally secure. This sense of security will help them build healthy relationships in the future.
相比於第一份回答，這一次同學的表現就優秀很多。不光給出兩個有效的理由，還圍繞著題目做了解釋，讓聽眾可以結合自己的親身經歷切實地理解養寵物對孩子的身心幫助。
例3:
The university decides to remodel the dormitory and add a new space to it. Which space do you recommend to add in your dormitory?
1. cafe
2. study room
3. game room
同學回答：
I would choose a game room.
Having a game room in the dorm means that students have a proper place to relax. When they are under pressure, they could just play table tennis in the game room with friends instead of relieving stress in a negative way, such as drinking or partying all night that disturbs other students.
Another reason is that adding a game room to the dorm shows that the university actually cares for students. Instead of pushing the students to study everyday and everywhere, the university should act to let students know that it's ok to have some fun and relax under their daily academic pressure.
很多同學喜歡抓住一個理由無限展開，這個回答就很好地做到了平衡，每個理由都解釋學生為何需要一個game room，並適當使用了對比論證和因果論證的方法，進一步增強了回答的邏輯性。
例4:
If a foreign friend of yours is visiting your city, which part of town would you recommend him or her to see? And why?
回答：
If a foreign friend is visiting my city, I would recommend him or her to visit the YU Garden because of the following reasons.
First, there are many charming buildings. Some of them were even designed and built like a 100 years ago.
Second, there are many local restaurants around and my friend can taste different kinds of delicious food.
Last but not least, the place in the center of my town and the transportation to get there is very convenient.
To sum up, If a foreign friend is visiting my city, I would recommend him or her to visit the YU Garden.
為什麼這樣的答案得分不高呢？原因主要有以下四種：
1. 這位同學的回答第一句話就是對於原文的重複，這樣回答雖然很安全但是顯得缺乏準備，像是通過這種辦法拖延答題時間。
2. 主體段的三個理由看上去比較充分，但實際上每個理由都解釋得不夠充分，只是簡單的理由的羅列。高分口語回答的重點並不是理由數量的多少，而是在列出理由後，進行細節的拓展和邏輯的分析。
3. 最後的結尾好像讓整個回答都完整了，但是卻也是對主題句的重複，沒有什麼實際的意義。好的回答通常都是把時間花在真正有意義的部分，就算是總結也要學會使用句式多樣的表達。
4. 像First/second/last not not least/to sum up的邏輯連結詞貌似會讓回答很有邏輯性，但是會讓回答顯得機械化和呆板，考官會誤認為同學是提前準備的模版，最好是用自然的過度，平常積累相關詞彙和表達。
一下詞彙和表達是我在教學過程中總結出能夠在托福口語中高頻使用的語言點，積累這些表達的時候切忌死記硬背，儘量從邏輯功能性的角度去理解，並在口語練習中刻意去使用，時間久了logical flow會越來越好。
1. Addition（遞進）
moreover, what is more, furthermore, let alone, additionally, not to mention （this）， besides （this） , in addition （to this）
2. Reference（引用）
considering （this）， regarding （this）， as for （this）， concerning （this）， on the subject of （this）
3. Example （舉例）
such as, particularly, especially, for example, like, in particular, for one thing, notably
4. Similarity（相似）
similarly, in the same way, equally, likewise, as well as
5. Clarification（澄清）
that is （to say）， I mean, （to） put （it） another way, in other words, namely, specifically
6. Conflict（轉折）
but, while, on the other hand, however, whereas, in contrast, conversely, still, instead
7. Emphasis（強調）
even more, above all, indeed, more importantly, besides
8. Concession（讓步）
but even so, even though, though, although, despite （this）， in spite of （this），regardless （of this）
9. Cause/Reason（原因）
since, as, in that, for the （simple） reason that, because （of the fact）， seeing that, owing to （the fact）,due to （the fact that）
10. Effect/Result（影響或結果）
consequently, hence, thus, because （of this）, as a result （of this）， for this reason, so that, accordingly, as a consequence, so, therefore
11. Condition（條件）
if, provided that, in the event that （萬一）， as/so long as, unless, given that, providing that, even if, on （the） condition （that）
12. Conclusion（總結）
lastly, finally, to conclude （with）， as a final point, in the end
我會在口語課上為每一個同學「量身定製」口語各個任務的答題結構，這並不是「模版」，而是最簡化的答題思路，節省在口語答題時的邏輯搭建時間，把精力更多方法語言組織上。
之所以強調「量身定製」因為每一位同學的答題習慣是不一樣的，我會在課下分析學生至少5套完整口語模考的錄音，把每一項結構對應的時間精確到秒和常用的句型和表達。同學們拿到這樣一份秘籍，之後的練習就可以有明確的標準，大大節省備考的時間。
就像前文中提到的，口語表達是否有邏輯將會對同學們的求學和工作有深遠的影響，托福考試只是一個契機讓大家有機會正視自己的實力。在平時我們就可以有有意識地訓練自己的邏輯思維，這裡我首推《奇葩說》，關於這個綜藝節目無需我過多介紹，內容老少皆宜，形式輕鬆愉快。關鍵中的關鍵，《奇葩說》對於觀眾邏輯思維的訓練可以說是教科書一樣的級別。