IELTS Speaking

IELTS Speaking: Key Information

This is a face-to-face speaking exercise with a certified IELTS examiner. It assesses your ability to communicate in the English Language. The test is the same both for Academic and General Training and it is divided into 3 parts. The duration is between 11 – 14 minutes.

IELTS Speaking: Key Information

Your Speaking test is assessed based on the criteria below:

  1. Fluency & Coherence
  2. Lexical Resource
  3. Grammatical Range & Accuracy
  4. Pronunciation

For detailed IELTS Speaking Assessment Criteria, click here

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Tips & Strategies

The duration of this is between 4 – 5 minutes

First, the examiner introduces him or herself, and asks you to introduce yourself.

Then, he or she checks your identity and will ask you some general questions about you, your family, your job, where you are from, etc. These questions will help the examiner find out a little bit about you and help put you at ease.

  • Try as much as possible to give reason(s) for your answer.

Example:

EXERMINER: Can you tell me why you like your job?

CANDIDATE: I like my job which is shift-based because it allows me some time to venture into other vocations like shoe and bag making, makeup, etc.

  • Stay off giving a Yes or No response. Be sure to explain your answer.

Example:

EXERMINER: Can you tell me where you are from?

CANDIDATE: I am from Ashaima in Accra, south-east of Ghana known for its commercial activities.

  • Try to show the reason for your liking a particular activity rather than telling.

Example:

EXERMINER: Do you like reading books?

CANDIDATE: I love reading books. I read on my way to work and at my leisure. I prefer fiction, particularly the works of Liz Moore. I endeavor to read at least one book a week because it allows me to learn about different societies and their cultures.

You can see from the above, the candidate sought to show what he or she has done that points to the fact that he or she likes reading. E.g. “reading on the way to work” or “read a book a week”

 

Sample questions?

Let’s talk about music. How often do you listen to music? Why?

Do you prefer to buy CDs or download music from the Internet?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Tips & Strategies

The duration for this part is 3 – 4 minutes.

First, the examiner gives you a task card on a particular topic with bullet points on what area to cover in your talk. You will be given a minute to prepare your talk based on the task card.

Next, you are asked to speak extensively for at least 2 minutes and stop at the prompting of the examiner.

Subsequently, the examiner will ask you one or two questions on your topic.

  • Be sure to use the one minute given to structure what you want to say covering the bullet points. You can make your note using: Phrases, clauses, or sentences for each point.

Sample Task Card

You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.
You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say.
You can make some notes to help you if you wish.

Use the one minute that you are going to be given to prepare your note. There are two ways you can prepare your note:

  1. Simple note-making

The second note-making method is:

        2. Mind map

  • Start by telling the examiner what you are speaking about.

Example:

An example of starting with the question shared earlier can be: 

“I’m going to talk about a wild animal that is found in my country. The wild animal is boar….”

In case you run out of ideas after only one minute, you can:

  • Look at your note
  • Look at the question again to see if you miss any detail out
  • Refer back to your earlier point in your talk and add more
 
 
  • Use appropriate cohesive devices to transition from one bullet point to another

Examples:

In addition, Moreover, Subsequently, Consequently, Furthermore, However, etc.

“However, boars sometimes wander into the city. This is so they get to feed on their way….”

  • Let there be a prompt in your talk indicating that you are about to wrap up.

The last bullet point may sometimes centre on your opinion, your likes, or dislikes.

Therefore, you can wrap up with sample promptings below:

Examples:

In conclusion, to sum up, in a nutshell, to wrap up, on a final note, etc.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Tips & Strategies

This is the final part of the speaking test. Here, you are asked more questions that are related to the topic you discussed in part 2.

The questions here are more abstract in nature, therefore, more difficult.

This part gives you the opportunity to discuss your ideas and opinion. The tips and strategies shared in part 1 can also work for this.

Remember, the entire Speaking Test affords you the opportunity to convince the examiner that you can speak the English Language effortlessly. Therefore, practice, practice, and practice because you cannot afford to misuse this opportunity.

You need to attempt responding to some abstract topics like Honesty, Punctuality, Fame, etc.

In conclusion

Speaking, just like Listening requires adequate practice. You may want to make a video of yourself speaking on a subject of your choice. Alternatively, you may request a speaking partnership relationship with a native speaker of English. This will help you because the Speaking test is spontaneous, meaning; you will be speaking without having a previous knowledge of the topic on which you will be speaking. Therefore, it is pertinent to practice different subjects such as family, vocations, vacations, personalities, etc.

There is no right or wrong response in IELTS Speaking test because you are being tested on your ability to express yourself in good English Language. Be sure to maintain EYE CONTACT with the examiner and be polite in your response.

The Speaking test is a test of your ability to speak in the English Language so speaking from a prepared speech will prompt the examiner to change the question.

Need further help on IELTS Speaking Test, click HERE