IELTS SPEAKING TEST PREPARATION
IELTS speaking test is a face-to-face interview between the test taker and the
examiner, which lasts from 10 to 15 minutes and has 3 sections.
Section 1: introduction and interview (4–5 minutes). First of all, the
examiner will ask you to tell your name and show your passport. After you
introduce yourself to the examiner, you will be asked some questions on
general topics, such as work, studies, home, family, interests etc.
Section 2: long turn (3–4 minutes). You will be given a task card about a
particular topic. You will have 1 minute to prepare a monologue on the
given topic. Then you return the task card to the examiner and talk about
the topic for 2 minutes. After your talk the examiner may ask you a few
questions.
Section 3: discussions (4–5 minutes). The third section involves a
discussion between the examiner and the test taker, generally on
questions relating to the theme which they have already spoken about in
Section 2.
How to prepare for IELTS Speaking?
The above written sample is one possible option of how IELTS Speaking test
can pass. You may encounter different types of questions on IELTS Speaking,
for example your topics may include work, studies, accommodation, food,
weather, health, hobbies, relationships and so on.
The best way to prepare for IELTS Speaking test is to :
read a lot of speaking questions and try answering them
learn a lot of advanced speaking vocabulary
practise answering IELTS Speaking questions, using vocabulary that
you've learnt
read more IELTS Speaking samples with answers, adopt new phrases and
vocabulary in your speech
IELTS Speaking Tips
A lot of candidates who take IELTS Speaking test find this section the hardest
one because it involves face-to-face communication. But in fact, IELTS
Speaking is the easiest section of IELTS to improve your score. You may think,
“But how? Interviews are so spontaneous! I just won’t have enough time to
plan a good answer. Moreover, I’ll be worrying…”.
It’s true, speaking interviews are spontaneous. But all test-takers are
worrying and don’t have much time to plan their answers. And examiners are
used to that, so they don’t expect you to speak like an orator. They don’t
even expect you to give very logical and structured answers! You’re only
tested on your ability to:
speak fluently and without hesitation,
use various vocabulary,
avoid grammar mistakes,
pronounce words well.
So you can band 8 and more on IELTS Speaking by practising and learning
vocabulary.
But you can also increase your score by following these simple IELTS
Speaking tips and tricks. Here we’ve gathered top 10 IELTS Speaking tips to
increase your IELTS Speaking score:
IELTS Speaking tips: be fluent
1. Be fluent and liberate
Speak fluently and spontaneously. You will gain more points. Don't worry
too much about using clever vocabulary, it's more important to be fluent.
But also don't speak too quick and mind your grammar. You should find a
"healthy balance" between speaking too quickly and making long pauses.
2. Practise answering sample questions
Typically, you will be asked about everyday topics, such as work, studies,
sport, family and so on. So you should try answering IELTS Speaking
questions before the exam. You will be surprised how simple they are! You
just need to learn appropriate vocabulary and understand what answers
you will give.
3. Ask the question again if you need to
Don't be shy, if you want to clarify something. You will not lose points for
asking the examiner.
IELTS Speaking tips: be emotional
4. Be emotional!
Speak with emotions. Nothing separates the experienced speaker from
beginners as tone of the speech. Express your feelings like you would do
using your native language.
5. Extend your speech
Try to speak at least more than the examiner. If you are asked a question
using one sentence, respond with two or more. And never give short,
uncommunicative replies:
Examiner: Do you do any sport?
You: No, I don't like sports... [Don't stop there!] I'm not a very active
person and I've never liked P.E. in school. But I like playing intellectual
games instead. For example, I find chess very interesting.
IELTS Speaking tips: use linking words
6. Be coherent
Use linking words and structures. Words and phrases like however,
nevertheless, all in all, moreover will enrich your speech.
7. Give yourself time to think
If you are unsure how to answer the question, you can give yourself a bit
more time to think by using this tip. First of all, you can say: "That's a
tricky question...", "I've never thought about that before..." or "That's an
interesting question...". This way you'll have some extra time to plan your
answer.
You can also reformulate the question:
Examiner: What was your favourite book in the childhood?
You: What book did I like as a child? Let me see...
8. Made a mistake? Don't panic!
If you made a mistake - don't panic! Try to correct yourself as smoothly as
possible. And if you can't - just continue speaking, you won't lose many
points for a few mistakes.
IELTS Speaking tips: make a good first impression
9. Make a good first impression
Look good, smell good and feel good. Be confident. Although it may not
seem very important, a strong first impression will go a long way.
10. Don't learn answers by heart
Examiners are able to determine whether you speak freely or you
memorized the answer before your interview. Learning full scripts is a bad
idea. Instead, it is much better to learn separate words and collocations
and adopt them in your speech.
