English Radio
Listening guide
TOEFL listening practice with US radio: what should you listen for?
For supplementary TOEFL iBT listening, try a US public radio interview or reported feature and listen for the main point, the speaker’s purpose and the examples supporting it. WBUR 90.9 FM and WNYC 93.9FM are places to explore. Match practice to the programme you hear rather than assuming any American station is a TOEFL course.
Reviewed 9 November 2026 · SMARTRAY STUDIO
Does TOEFL only use American accents?
No. ETS describes listening voices from North America, the UK, New Zealand and Australia. US public radio is a useful choice when you want more exposure to American English, but a broader listening routine should include other voices too.
The current TOEFL listening section includes choosing a response, conversations, announcements and academic talks. A radio interview offers some relevant listening practice, but it does not cover the full test format.
Which radio content is worth trying?
- Public radio interviews
- Try WBUR 90.9 FM or WNYC 93.9FM. Listen for the interviewer’s question, the answer and the reason behind it. Check the station schedule for a suitable programme.
- Reported news features
- NPR programmes such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered include reporting and interviews. They are programmes, not separate stations; member stations carry them according to their schedules.
- Explanations beyond US radio
- Science and culture discussions on ABC Radio National NSW can add topics and voices to your routine. Focus on the explanation rather than memorising technical details.
How can I practise without turning radio into a test?
- Choose one topic you know something about and listen for the central question.
- Make a small note with three labels: main point, reason, example.
- After the segment, explain how the example supports the main point.
- If there are two speakers, note whether the second agrees, questions or changes the subject.
This is a suggested listening exercise, not an ETS scoring method. Use official TOEFL practice to work on answer choices, task timing and the types of interaction that radio does not reproduce.
Is a faster or more difficult station better?
Not necessarily. A political debate may depend heavily on background knowledge; a familiar science interview can be easier to follow even if it contains a few new terms. Choose content where you can identify the topic and some supporting detail. If you are guessing throughout, shorten the segment or use graded material.
Music stations can be enjoyable, but songs do not provide the same sustained spoken explanation as an interview. Choose the format that matches what you want to practise that day.
Where do I start in ER?
In English Radio, search for WBUR 90.9 FM or WNYC 93.9FM, then check the current programme. NPR 24 Hours is another directory entry to explore, but its stream is not identical to every member station. For a specific episode or transcript, use the programme’s official page. English Radio is independent of ETS and TOEFL.