Private TOEFL tutoring is 1:1 coaching for the Speaking and Listening sections of the TOEFL iBT, updated for the 2026 test.
I'm Julie Cunningham, MA, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist, and I teach live on Zoom.
Is this you?
- You live in the U.S. and need a TOEFL Speaking score for a professional license or for graduate school.
- You've taken the TOEFL and your Speaking score came up short.
- You studied for the old test and you're not sure what changed in 2026.
- People sometimes ask you to repeat yourself, and you worry the test will hear the same thing.
What changed in the 2026 TOEFL
The TOEFL iBT Speaking section now has two tasks.
- Listen and Repeat: you hear seven sentences and repeat each one exactly.
- Take an Interview: you answer four questions out loud, with 45 seconds for each answer.
The Listening section is adaptive, and each recording plays once.
- Listen and Choose a Response
- Listen to a Conversation
- Listen to an Announcement
- Listen to an Academic Talk
Each section is scored from 1 to 6.
What we work on
- Pronunciation and clarity: the sounds, stress and rhythm that make your speech easy to understand.
- Listen and Repeat: hearing a full sentence once and saying it back accurately.
- Take an Interview: giving a clear, organized answer within the 45 seconds you have for each question.
- Listening: catching the main point and the details the first time.
I teach Speaking and Listening only. I don't teach Reading or Writing.
Need a Speaking score for a U.S. license?
Many licensing bodies set their own minimum Speaking score. Two examples as of 2026:
- Pharmacists (NABP): Speaking 5
- Physical therapists (FCCPT): Speaking 4.5, for California and several other jurisdictions
Requirements change, so check with your own board. Tell me your target in your Planning Session and we'll plan around it.
How it works
- Send me a message through the contact form.
- I reply within 1–2 business days and we schedule a free Planning Session.
- We set your target and book your sessions on Zoom.
Price
- $250 an hour
- $1,875 for a 10-hour package
Common questions
Is your tutoring updated for the 2026 TOEFL?
Yes. Sessions use the two current Speaking tasks, Listen and Repeat and Take an Interview, and the current Listening format.
Do you teach all four sections?
No. I teach Speaking and Listening only.
How many sessions will I need?
A typical client does 10 sessions. Your number depends on your starting point and goals, and we'll talk about it in your free Planning Session.
Are sessions online?
Yes. All sessions are live on Zoom, so you can work with me from anywhere in the U.S.
How much does it cost?
Private training is $250 an hour, or $1,875 for a 10-hour package.
What my clients say
Here's what a few of my clients have to say about working with me:
Juan V.
Spanish, Student
I recently finished a 10-session program with Julie, and I am completely satisfied with the results. Since the first class, it was clear that she was an expert on the subject and created a safe space to practice and ask questions. I totally recommend Julie if you are looking for a coach who helps you improve the details of your accent that limit your communication or make you feel less confident. My best piece of advice is to take the leap to reach your English goals!
Joan Y.
Mandarin Chinese, Life Coach
Julie is an incredible teacher. I like how quickly she could diagnose my pronunciation issues, in particular my tongue placement. She increased my awareness of how to speak like a native speaker. She also gave me drills to improve my speech, some of which are quite innovative such as using a metronome. Julie is very patient and compassionate and fun to work with. I highly recommend her for her skills, caliber, and approaches to quickly move you forward.
Stephen L.
South African English, Voice Over Actor
I had the pleasure of working with Julie on my standard American accent. Her knowledge and supportive instruction style made the experience truly enjoyable and worthwhile. Her professional yet easy going manner made me feel comfortable from the outset. Julie was encouraging, enthusiastic and most of all patient. I have renewed confidence in my accent capability and I have her to thank for it.
Ready to prepare for the TOEFL Speaking and Listening sections?
Contact me to schedule a free Planning Session.