The transitions you are using are working against you
You’re losing points on TOEFL Speaking and you don’t even know why. The three phrases you rely on signal to the rater that you’re reciting a template — not speaking English. Here’s exactly what to use instead.
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A rater hears hundreds of identical responses every day
Three transitions appear in nearly every international dentist’s TOEFL Speaking response. None of them are grammatically wrong — but all three immediately signal to the rater that you’re working from a memorised template.
The TOEFL Speaking rubric rewards spontaneity, natural phrasing, and language control. These three phrases undercut all of that before your idea is even heard. The replacements below aren’t fancy vocabulary — they’re phrases fluent English speakers actually use, phrasing that sounds like real thought happening in real time.
Stop saying these. Say this instead.
Stop saying “Firstly, secondly, finally.”
“Firstly… secondly… finally…”
Every student uses this structure. Raters hear it hundreds of times daily. It signals rehearsal, not fluency.
“The main reason is…”
“Another key point is…”
“And ultimately…”
Introduces each point with weight and substance, not a number. Signals organised thinking, not a list.
Stop saying “In my opinion, I think…”
“In my opinion, I think that…”
Two opinion markers stacked. The whole response is your opinion — you don’t need to label it twice. Wastes 2–3 seconds of a 45-second clock.
“I believe…”
“My view is that…”
“[State the idea directly]”
Removes filler, opens with the actual thesis. Lands cleaner and scores better for language control.
Stop saying “In conclusion…”
“In conclusion,…”
“In conclusion” is a written essay phrase. Speaking shouldn’t sound like reading. Raters mark you down for register mismatch.
“All things considered…”
“That’s why I feel…”
“So overall…”
Conversational, fluent, and signals “I’m wrapping up” without sounding like an essay. Lands the response cleanly.
Full 45-second response comparison
Same prompt, two responses, two scores. The only difference is the transitions.
Three swaps — keep this with you
Print this. Stick it on your monitor. Drill it until the new phrases feel automatic.
Students who join the CaapidUp TOEFL Course score 5.5 average
A structured, faculty-led TOEFL programme built specifically for international dentists. Every section drilled, every recording reviewed, every score tracked — so test day is the easiest part.
Section-by-section tracks
Speaking, Writing, Listening, and Reading as separate tracks with their own drill libraries, transition banks, and pacing rules.
Timed mocks, every week
Full-length and section-level mocks scheduled weekly. Score trends to show Dr. T before you book the real test.
Direct Speaking & Writing review
Submit recordings and Discussion responses for faculty review. Specific structural feedback — not generic encouragement.
Complete phrase & transition library
The transitions on this page are a starting point. The course unlocks the full set across all task types.
Score-tracking templates
Weekly score log, wrong-answer concept tracker, and section-by-section readiness dashboard. Progress as data, not feeling.
Designed for international dentists
Prompt sets, vocabulary lists, and sample answers chosen for healthcare and dental topics.
Used by international dentists preparing for CAAPID, NYU KIRA, and U.S. dental school admissions.
Where to go next
3-Part TOEFL Speaking Template
The opener-evidence-closer shape these transitions plug into — with 45-sec and 60-sec timing guides and two worked sample answers.
Academic Discussion Starter Pack
Three phrases for the TOEFL Writing Discussion task — sample responses, connector phrases, and a 10-minute daily routine.
KIRA Interview Prep
Same opener-evidence-closer shape, applied under timed video-interview pressure. Used by NYU and other CAAPID programs.