Aside from being the exam of the shortest duration, speaking also is the only interactive component in the IELTS exam. This apparently different exam also needs a slightly different approach. Let’s find out some amazing IELTS speaking tips.
IELTS Speaking Tips
The IELTS speaking exam is broken down into three sections: 1, 2, and 3. The format and content of the speaking test are the same for both General and Academic IELTS. The exam will last approximately 11-15 minutes. At the end of the exam, the examiner will determine your score. It’s worth noting that your speaking test will be recorded as well. You may have grounds for requesting a remark if you disagree with the examiner’s score.
Your exam must be conducted face-to-face by a certified IELTS examiner (this cannot be done online). The test is designed to simulate a real-life English conversation. This should be informal, interactive, and maybe even a little entertaining. Some candidates claim that it is so similar to conversing with a friend that they forget they are being tested!
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Insights About IELTS Speaking Exam
Keep in mind that examiners for the IELTS Speaking exam can come from a variety of backgrounds. This necessitates an understanding of the various English accents. Your examiner will converse with you on a variety of topics before selecting a specific subject for you to discuss in greater depth.
You should be able to do the following before taking your IELTS Speaking exam:
#During conversations about various topics, use appropriate and relevant language.
#When asked, confidently express your opinions and justify them.
#Organise your thoughts and talk about them in a logical manner.
#Consider issues that may arise during the discussion (that perhaps you have little knowledge or understanding of)
#Use a natural, relaxed tone and make sure to pronounce everything correctly.
Format of the Speaking Test
The speaking section consists of three parts: two structured interviews and one short speech. It takes about 11 to 14 minutes and every part is recorded.
Part 1
The examiner asks you general questions and answers about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.
Part 2
You will be given a cue card that asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have 1 minute to prepare before the conversation for up to 2 minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test.
Part 3
Here you will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions will give you the opportunity to explore and talk about more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.
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IELTS Speaking Marking Criteria
The IELTS component marks you on:
Fluency and coherence
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy
Pronunciation
Following are the Detailed Breakdown of the above Rubrics:
The ability to talk with normal levels of continuity, rate and effort and to link ideas and language together to form coherent, connected speech.
Key Indicators of Fluency Speech
Rate
speech continuity
Key Indicators of Coherence
Logical sequencing of sentences,
Clear marking of stages in a discussion, narration or argument.
The use of cohesive devices (e.g. connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) within and between sentences.
Lexical Resource
Lexical resource refers to the range of vocabulary used and the precision with which meanings and attitudes can be expressed.
The Key Indicators
The variety of words used.
The adequacy and appropriacy of the words used.
The ability to get around a vocabulary gap by using other words with or without noticeable hesitation.
Grammatical Resource:
The range and the accurate and appropriate use of your grammatical resource.
The Key Indicators of Grammatical Range
The length and complexity of the spoken sentences.
The appropriate use of subordinate clauses.
The range of sentence structures, especially to move elements around for information focus.
The Key Indicators of Grammatical Accuracy
The number of grammatical errors in a given amount of speech.
The communicative effect of the error.
Comprehensible Speech
The ability to produce a comprehensible speech to fulfil the Speaking test requirements.
The Key Indicators
The amount of strain caused to the listener.
The amount of the speech which is unintelligible.
The noticeability of L1 influence.
Also Read: Previous Year IELTS Speaking Part 2 Questions: Cue Card Topic Advertisement with Answer
Skills to Focus in IELTS Speaking Practice Sessions
Now that you know how you will be marked, let us look at the skills you need in order to achieve a good score.
Task 1 is a general interview about you and your interests.
Task 2 is all about speaking at length. This requires you to speak uninterruptedly. This may seem daunting but with the right skills, you can sail through.
Skills Needed:
You should be able to generate thoughts and express them in suitable words.
You must be able to link ideas.
You must have flawless pronunciation.
Task 3 is a continuation of Task 2. Here you will be asked questions related to the topic you spoke about in Task2.
Skills Needed
You should be able to develop an argumentative conversation that is based on the discussion.
You should be able to delve deep into the topic and present a well-reasoned argument.
You must brainstorm instantaneously.
Remember that in Task 3, the questions tend to go deeper into the topic to check:
How long can you keep the conversation going?
How meaningful your conversation is.
Whether language is becoming a hurdle in your ability to do so.
IELTS Speaking Test Tips
As you can see, the entire IELTS Speaking component is an exam of assessing various skills that must be acquired by IELTS practice and expert guidance. The bad news is you can’t pick them up from books. And the good news is we have speaking tips for IELTS on how to prepare for the IELTS speaking questions and answers!
Read
You must Read in order to improve your conversation. There is no other way to learn new words and sentence structures other than establishing a reading routine.
Practice Speaking
Practice speaking with a partner. Remember that you will be tested within a conversation. Therefore, take a sample topic, get a partner and allot some time to speak at length, without any interruption. Make sure you maintain 100% honesty while you practice this.
Mock Tests
Take Speaking mock tests every day for 30 days before you take the exam. This helps you to alleviate the fear of spontaneous covering and allows you to become more confident.
Professional Trainer
Consider getting a professional trainer who can evaluate your performance on a regular basis and give you accurate feedback. In this way, you will be able to work on your shortcomings and get better.
IELTS Speaking Questions for 2022
Also Read: IELTS Speaking Task: Sample Questions and Answers to Score Band 8+
Work: Part One
What is your job title?
Where do you work?
How do you get to/from work each day?
What do you like or dislike about your work?
Are there many people at your workplace?
Why did you choose this particular job/career?
Is your job/profession seen as a popular one in your country?
Do you get along with your colleagues at work?
What is the atmosphere like at work?
Study: Part One
Where do you study?
What do you plan to do once your studies are completed?
How long have you been studying?
How long do you have left on your current course?
If you could, would you change your chosen subject?
Is your course of study a popular one in your country?
What can you remember about your first day of school/college/university?
Part Two
#Describe your first school
You should say –
Where the school was?
When do you go to school?
What the building was like?
What do you like or dislike about your school?
What your teachers were like?
#Describe an interesting person you know
You should say –
Who the person is?
How do you know the person?
How often do you see the person?
What do you do together?
Why do you think this person is interesting?
Part Three: Education
What is the role of the teacher in the classroom?
What qualities make a good student?
Do you think one-day technology will replace teachers in the classroom?
What should a teacher do to make lessons interesting?
Tell me about the similarities and differences between schools here and in your country.
Part Three: People
What qualities make a person interesting?
How do you feel when you are around a person you find interesting?
Do you want to be more like this person one day?
Tell me about the similarities and differences between you and this person.
Conclusion
IELTS Speaking is a short and structured exam. It has a very detailed marking system and checks a wide range of skills. For such a uniquely crafted exam it is only proper that you prepare for it a little differently. Remember that the focus is always on skills rather than information. Preparing for IELTS Speaking is basically acquiring and honing speaking skills.
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