The globally renowned exam IELTS tests all the 4 English skills – reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The aspirants who aim for a top score need to do well in every section. Most of the candidates pull off the reading, writing, and listening tests quite nicely with optimum confidence. What scares most people is the “Speaking assessment” which is not less than a real interview. Here you need to have a good grip on English communication skills. This exam is conducted separately in an interview setup where the examiner holds a discussion with you. A lack of confidence in this situation can bring down your performance level and lower your grades.
So, in this article, we have brought you a list of effective tips for IELTS speaking. Adhering to these instructions will definitely arise your confidence. Knowing beforehand about the exam will prepare you mentally to confront the interviewer. Hence, continue reading to increase your readiness to tackle the exam!
Let us briefly discuss the exam pattern of your speaking test. So that you can separately train for each aspect.
The exam is divided into 3 sessions for marking and smooth conduction.
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Part 1- Introduction round
The first 4 to 5 minutes of the test are devoted to the introduction of the candidate. So, in this time period, you have to give a short intro of yours. You will be asked some personal questions regarding –
- Your profession
- Your household
- Your family members
- Your passion and hobbies
Part 2- Task round
This is an important session of the test. Here, the examiner will give you a card on which a topic title will be written. Your task is to give a two-minute talk on that topic. You will be given one minute for thinking and note-making. A pencil and a paper will be handed over to you to write the key points of the speech. You need good confidence for this round because no time is spared for rehearsals. You have to give your best in the first attempt itself.
Part 3- Discussion round
In the last 4 to 5 minutes you will have a discussion with the examiner. The topic on which you spoke in the 2nd part will be the main topic of interaction. The examiner will ask you some questions based on that topic. And you have to answer them fluently.
Now as you have learned the pattern let us come to the 10 useful tips.
#Tip 1- Refrain from memorizing the entire answers
IELTS examiners are certified and intellectual professionals. They can catch if you will just blabber the memorized answers. You may lose marks for that. So, just be prepared with the key points and elaborate your answers naturally. This way your real speaking skill will come out and valued by the examiner.
#Tip 2- Don’t speak out complex words which you are unfamiliar with
All of us have a limited vocabulary. In order to impress the examiner, you might be tempted to use ornamental words. Using such unfamiliar words puts you a risk of wrong pronunciation. You can even use some words in a different context without knowing their actual meaning. So, play safe and use words most familiar to you. Or the better is to develop your vocabulary in specific topics.
#Tip 3- While talking, give special attention to your grammar.
In the IELTS speaking test, marks are allotted for grammatical range and accuracy. So, it is important that you use the correct tense in the sentences. Here you can impress the interviewer by using a range of simple and complex grammatical structures. You have to show that you are proficient in grammar and can frame many types of sentences.
To achieve a good level of grammar skill, consistent practice is required. So, we will recommend you to practise English speaking with your friends and family members. Spot your errors and rectify them regularly.
#Tip 4- Speak the accent in which you are comfortable
IELTS interviewers are familiar with a range of English accents. They can understand your accent provided your voice is clearly audible. So, don’t worry if you lack a British or USA accent. But never forget to stress important points in your speech. To test if your accent is understandable or not, record your audio and analyze it. You can even request your friends to give some genuine feedback.
#Tip 5- Take brief pauses to plan what to speak next
Your speech will be impressive if you take pauses in between. Planning beforehand polishes your sentences and makes them appealing. There are certain phrases helpful to initiate pauses like –
That is a good point.
I totally agree with you.
Let me think about it. I will try and answer it definitely.
That is an interesting question.
#Tip 6- Minimise the use of filler words.
It puts a negative impression if you use filler words too much. By filler words we are referring to words like Umm, You know, I mean, Yeah, well etc. Excessive use of these words convinces the examiner that you are nervous and unfamiliar with spoken English. As the time limit is too short, use it judiciously and speak to the point.
#Tip 7- Elaborate and describe your answers as much as you can
You are appearing in the test to prove your speaking skills. So, whenever you encounter a question, try to lengthen your answers. The examiner expects descriptive answers from you. So, never sit still after giving a one-line answer. Even if you do that, the examiner will prompt you to speak more. Take that as a signal to elaborate your answer and display your powerful communication skills.
#Tip 8- Have a smiling face throughout the interaction
Smile is the best attire you should wear to the speaking test. It has a magical effect in gaming down your anxiety. Along with a better impression, it enhances your pronunciation.
#Tip 9- Use voice modulations from time to time
Speaking in a dull and monotonous way makes your speech boring. So, modulations in tone is necessary. It means that you are stressing important ideas and making pauses at the appropriate places. You should openly direct your hands to make gestures and movements as you speak. It usually makes a deep impact on the listener.
Tip 10- Prepare a list of general and fresh topics
As we have said above, in task 2 you are required to speak on a topic. There are a set of topics generally asked every year like education, environment, tourism, capital punishment, sports, family, Internet, and advertising, etc. So, it is better to stay prepared on these frequently asked topics. You can refer to standard IELTS study materials for reference.
Now, we have suggested ten valuable tips to ace the IELTS speaking test. Keep these tips in mind and prepare accordingly. You will surely hit your targeted band score. We wish you all the very best for your IELTS exam!
We at Kohli Star image school offer IELTS speaking tips for our students by our experienced trainers.
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