How To Prepare For IELTS Speaking Test

Although the IELTS speaking test is the shortest section of the exam, it can also feel the most stressful. On test day, many test-takers are apprehensive about meeting an examiner.

You may be worried about taking your test, but with these tips on how to prepare for the IELTS speaking test and plenty of practice, you’ll be well on your way to gaining confidence and achieving the IELTS band score you desire.

What Is IELTS Speaking Test All About?
What Types Of Questions Are Asked In The IELTS Speaking Test?
How To Prepare For IELTS Speaking Test
How Is The IELTS Speaking Test Marked?
Conclusion
References

What Is IELTS Speaking Test All About?

IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face, informal chat with an IELTS examiner for both Academic and General Training. The test is divided into three sections and intends to evaluate your pronunciation, fluency, grammar, and vocabulary.

What Types Of Questions Are Asked In The IELTS Speaking Test?

Depending on the examiner, you may be given various questions and be required to talk on multiple themes. The way you respond, however, is determined by the exam portion.

IELTS speaking test part one

You’ll probably be asked several questions about yourself in part one of the IELTS speaking test, such as your interests, family, studies, and home. Consider it an initial talk and an opportunity to introduce yourself to the examiner.

IELTS SPEAKING TEST SAMPLE QUESTIONS

The following are some of the other frequently asked questions in section one:

Work
Hobbies
Sport
Television and films
Weather
Daily routine
Technology
Shopping
Socializing
Food

IELTS speaking test part two

You are given a card with a topic and some information about the main areas you should try to discuss in part two of the IELTS speaking test. Before speaking, you will have approximately a minute to jot down some notes. You’ll get one to two minutes to talk on the topic, after which the examiner will give you some follow-up questions.

IELTS SPEAKING TEST SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Part two’s subjects are centered on your life experiences and can include things like:

Art
Books
Advice
Communication
Hobbies
Routines
Sport
Family
News
Music and film
Travel
Values

For example, you might be asked about a sport you want to try. You’d have to explain the sport, how you’d prepare for it, what equipment you’d need to play it, and why the sport appeals to you. For part two of the IELTS speaking examination, the smart idea is to talk as long as you can or until the examiner tells you to stop.

IELTS speaking test part three

Part three of the test requires you to speak about the same subject as part two. The difference is that you have the opportunity to debate the issue with the examiner and go deeper into it. You’ll be asked for your thoughts and opinions on the subject.

IELTS SPEAKING TEST SAMPLE

If art was chosen as the second topic of discussion, you might be asked questions like:

What do you think art’s worth?
What kind of art do you enjoy and why?
What distinguishes a good work of art?
What are your thoughts on the advantages of knowing about art?
What are your country’s creative traditions and styles?

Don’t be scared to voice your opinion or demonstrate your knowledge on a subject. Remember that part three of the test is timed, so pay attention to the examiner’s cues.

How To Prepare For IELTS Speaking Test

Here are a few proven ways you can prepare for the IELTS speaking test.

1. Understand the Speaking Test Format

This may sound like a no-brainer, yet many students enter the IELTS speaking test with little prior knowledge of what to expect.

The speaking test is broken down into three sections and takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete. Part 1 will last about 4-5 minutes and will consist of questions about yourself and your family. The examiner may also inquire about your hometown, place of employment or study, family, or interests. This section will assist you in relaxing and naturally conversing about common themes.

You will be handed a card with a topic on it in part 2. A list of topics to discuss will also be included on the card. One minute is allotted for you to read the card, take notes, and plan your response. Then you’ll have to speak for 1-2 minutes regarding the subject. When you are speaking, the examiner will not ask you any questions or assist you in any way.

Part 3 of the speaking test is the most abstract, and students typically find it the most difficult. The examiner will ask you questions about the topic you discussed in part 2, and this section will last about 4-5 minutes. The examiner may ask you to talk about the past, present, or future, express your opinion, discuss hypothetical circumstances, compare and contrast, or evaluate the views of others.

GET YOUR IELTS STUDY MATERIAL AND START PREPARING

2. Know What the Examiner Wants

It is critical that you comprehend how the exam will be graded.

There are four criteria for grading:

Fluency and coherence – Fluency refers to your ability to speak freely and without awkward pauses. The examiner’s ability to understand what you mean is measured by coherence.
Lexical resource – The ability to employ a wide range of language responsibly and accurately is referred to as a lexical resource.
Grammatical range and accuracy – You should employ a variety of proper grammatical structures and make your sentences as error-free as feasible.
Pronunciation – Your speech should be clear and include all aspects of pronunciation, including intonation, sentence stress, and weak sounds.

3. Know Your Current Band

You should figure out what your current speaking band is so you can figure out how much you need to improve. The easiest way to achieve this is to find an experienced IELTS teacher and ask them for advice.

Some online tutors can help you determine your IELTS speaking exam score and prepare for it. You can access IELTS online tutors on the following platforms:

4. Set Your Target and Make a Timeline

You should establish a goal and make a timeframe now that you know your current IELTS speaking band. At this point, it’s critical to remain grounded.

To go up half an IELTS band typically requires 200-300 hours of study time. As a result, improving your score by half a band would take between 3-5 months if you studied 20 hours a week.

It’s important to remember that everyone is unique, and the figures above are only a guideline. Some people progress faster than others. Also, the 200-300 hour rule applies to someone who is attempting to improve all four skills; if you are only attempting to improve your speaking, you may be able to get away with less time.

SEE How To Prepare For IELTS Exam At Home | Expert Advice

5. Make a Study Plan

You should establish a study strategy and stick to it now that you know how long it will take you to earn the score you need. Some people choose to enroll in an IELTS school and only study there, but if you truly want to improve, you also need to practice at home.

6. Practice With IELTS Study Material

Preparing for an English test can be challenging if you do not have access to the right resources, which is why IELTS offers a range of official preparation material to assist your preparation.

Practice can go a long way in getting you your desired IELTS score. It will help you get familiar with the test format, and questioning pattern. Additionally, it gives you an opportunity to attempt the test under timed conditions. You can also compare your answers with the model answers to assess your progress.

MyStudentKit provides free IELTS preparation material that can either be downloaded from our official website

YOU CAN GET YOUR IELTS STUDY MATERIAL HERE

7. Learn From Your Mistakes

You should figure out what your common flaws or faults are and then work on improving them. Some people are highly fluent speakers but have a lot of grammar problems, others are very proficient at grammar but speak at a languid pace, and yet others are difficult to understand because they need pronunciation help.

You can find a reputable IELTS teacher in your area or online and ask them to bring out your areas of weakness or if you have a buddy who is fluent in English and is a native or advanced speaker, they can also assist you. Finally, you can record yourself to assist you to identify and correct your flaws.

8. Prepare For the IELTS Speaking Test by Listening and Reading

To do well on the speaking test, you’ll need to improve your overall level of English. As previously said, your grammar and vocabulary will be scored, so practicing in these areas is crucial. Listening and reading in English will help you strengthen these skills significantly.

If you want to listen to something, look into Podcasts. Podcasts are similar to radio shows in that they may be downloaded and listened to anytime you choose. There are millions of podcasts to choose from, so you should have no trouble finding one you enjoy. Rather than one about studying English or IELTS, look for one about a topic that interests you.

Find a blog that piques your interest and read it. Simply Google a topic and type ‘blog’ into the search box. Type ‘Travel Blog’ into the search box if you’re interested in travel, for example.

9. Practice Speaking in Real-Life Situations

The IELTS speaking test is designed to mimic the experience of conversing with someone in a real-life context. As a result, instead of practicing past IELTS paper questions, you should simply chat with someone. There are thousands of past paper questions available, and you are unlikely to be asked any of them in your exam.

Find someone with whom you can practice English and discuss a topic that interests you. This will make things much easier for you, and you will be less likely to become bored.

This IELTS speaking tip is tested and trusted. You can try it out too.

10. Practice Functional Language

You’ll probably be quizzed on the past, present, and future, as well as your thoughts on hypothetical events and what you think of other people’s viewpoints. As a result, you should study the grammar and functional language that is utilized while discussing these topics.

11. Extend Your Answers

Giving very short replies is one of the ways pupils can obtain a low grade. Practice not only stating your answer but also explaining it and providing instances from your own life. This will assist you in developing a habit, which will result in greater exam scores.

If you were asked, “Who is the friendliest person you know?” for example, what would you say? There are two possible responses:

Answer 1– ‘My mother is the kindest person I know.’

Answer 2– ‘My mother is the kindest person I know since she gave us everything she had growing up and made many sacrifices.’ For example, instead of buying herself anything, Mom would always buy us clothes and books.’

Although Answer 1 is correct, it is so brief that the examiner cannot assess your skills.

You’ve demonstrated to the examiner that you can thoroughly answer the question and employ a variety of grammar and vocabulary by using the A-E-E formula (Answer-Explain-Example). It will be more difficult for you to achieve a high score if you do not do this.

How Is The IELTS Speaking Test Marked?

Examiners for the IELTS speaking test expect you to demonstrate a variety of skills and abilities. These are some of them:

Your capacity to convey information, thoughts, and viewpoints.
Your vocabulary and fluency are entirely up to you.
How long you can talk and maintain a discussion.
How well you organize your thoughts and whether you are coherent are two factors to consider.
Your ability to think critically and explore issues.
Four grading criteria will be used by the IELTS examiner:
How you sound (25%) is determined by your pronunciation.
Grammar (25%) – grammatical use correctness.
Fluency and coherence (25%) – how clear and coherent you are when speaking.
Vocabulary (25%) is the number of words you know.

Each of these factors is rated on a scale of zero to nine. Your overall test score is calculated by multiplying your test results by four. Remember that IELTS test results are determined in 0.5 increments, so if your score falls between 0.25 and 0.75, it will be rounded up.

FAQs On IELTS Speaking Test

Is IELTS speaking difficult?

Since it’s structured like an interview, the IELTS Speaking test is a stressful exercise for many test-takers. Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to not only reduce stress but attain a high score

Can I retake IELTS speaking only?

Generally, IELTS does not allow to retake the IELTS writing part only. If the writing part score on the IELTS exam is low, e.g.5.5, whereas the other modules are high, e.g. 7.5, a test-taker will have to retake all four sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) of the IELTS exam.

What if I miss the speaking test for IELTS?

If you miss your IELTS speaking test, all you need to do is book another one (the whole test) and pay again, unfortunately.

For how long is the IELTS result valid?

IELTS results are valid for two years.

Conclusion

While the IELTS speaking examination may appear intimidating at first, keep in mind that it is essentially a conversation between you and the examiner. They don’t want you to be perfect, but they do expect you to communicate ideas clearly, coherently, and accurately.

References

Ieltsadvantage.com – How to Prepare for IELTS Speaking
hotcoursesabroad.com – HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE IELTS SPEAKING TEST?

How To Prepare For IELTS Speaking Test | Easy Steps

Table of contents

What Is IELTS Speaking Test All About?