Speaking Overview & Tips

IELTS Speaking Test

There are 3 parts in the Speaking Test:

Preparation is the key to a good score in IELTS Speaking. Different skills are tested in each part, so you need to know exactly what to do.

We can predict the kinds of questions that the examiner will ask. We will prepare ideas, possible answers and good vocabulary for each part of the test.

Which part is the most important?

⯀Do the 3 parts of the speaking test carry equal weighting when your score is calculated, or is one part more important?

⯀The simple answer is that the 3 parts are not scored separately; the examiner rates the student's performance as a whole. In this sense, neither part is more important. However, it's useful to think about the 3 parts like this:

⯀Part 1 is supposed to be quite easy (like a warm-up), so you won't get a high score if you only do well in this part.

⯀Part 2 is when the examiner really gets a chance to assess how good you are. He/she will now have an idea of what scores to give you.

⯀During part 3, the examiner is making his/her final decision. A good performance here can boost your score.

If you don’t understand, …

⯀What should you do if you don't understand a question in the speaking test? Here are some tips:

⯀In part 1, the examiner is not allowed to help you, but he/she can repeat the question. Just say: "Sorry, can you repeat the question please?" If you still don't understand the second time, try to say something related to the topic or any of the words that you heard. Try your best, then focus on the next question.

⯀In part 2, you are given a task card with the question written on it, so you shouldn't have any problems in this part. If there is a word that you don't understand on the task card, don't ask the examiner - he/she is not allowed to help.

⯀In part 3, the examiner is allowed to rephrase the question. If you don't understand, just say something like: "Sorry, can you explain that question in a different way please?"

Speaking Tips

Many people agree that the secret of success in the Speaking test is being confident and creative person. Does it mean that others will fail? Not at all! This test is PREDICTABLE. Use the following tips to prepare yourself to what’s coming and the confidence will come.

What are the examiners looking for?

If you know what is important to IELTS examiners, it improves your chances of success. These guidelines refer to every part of the Speaking test. Stick to them and you will satisfy your examiner.

⯀Understand what the examiner asks you and confirm that by answering accordingly.

⯀Speak without long pauses (when you are trying to think of something to say)

⯀Demonstrate how many "smart" words you know.

⯀Use all the tenses when you speak - past, present, future – and use them correctly.

⯀Pronounce the words correctly.

⯀Important! Accent has nothing to do with pronunciation, so it will not affect your score.

Keep it simple!

⯀This tip refers to the whole Speaking test. Don’t start long and complicated sentences if you don’t know how to finish them! Keep your sentences simple, and words - understandable. If you make grammatical error – it’s ok to correct yourself, but don’t overdo it, you must sound fluent.

⯀When you hear a question, your mind automatically draws an image with the answer. You can describe this image in your own language, but when you start to describe it in English, suddenly you don’t have enough words in your vocabulary. So try to think of what part of that image you can describe, do it and stop there. Don’t let yourself show what words you don’t know by saying incomplete sentences.

Ask Questions to the Examiner:

⯀If you don’t understand the question, there is nothing wrong in asking the examiner to repeat. If you have any confusion regarding the question asked, you can clarify it by asking the examiner to repeat. You will not lose marks for asking doubts.

Bring Emotions in your Speech:

⯀While taking the speaking test, choose the words carefully. Bring in emotions, wherever necessary. Try to be like a native English speaker.

Extend your Speech:

⯀If the examiner asks you to speak about some topic, do not finish it in one sentence. Try to talk about the topic completely.

Do not panic if a mistake happens:

⯀If you make a mistake while speaking, do not get scared. Instead, try to correct the mistake. There will be no deduction of marks if your thought process is good.

Keep a separate time to think for an answer:

⯀Listen to the question carefully. If you do not understand the question or if you are unsure about the answer, admit frankly to the examiner so that he gives another topic. Or ask for some extra time to think about the answer. The examiner may not refuse to give you the extra time.

Do not learn the answers by heart:

⯀When you are practicing for the speaking test, do not memorize the answers. Try to make an innovative and impressive content on your own. From the way you talk, the examiner can easily find out if you are spontaneous or not.

Focus on what is important:

⯀You can try to improve your vocabulary by practicing. Identify the common mistakes you make and try to rectify them.

Stick on to the topic:

⯀It is very important to be explanatory but do not divert from the topic. Stick to the topic and speak for it. Deviating from the topic will give a bad impression to the examiner.