Top 10 IELTS Speaking Tips and Expert Advice
Preparing for the IELTS Speaking test can be daunting, but with the right strategies and tips, you can boost your confidence and score higher. In this guide, we will share the best IELTS Speaking tips to help you excel in the exam. From understanding the test format to practicing common questions, these tips will provide the necessary tools to improve your speaking skills. Whether you aim for a band score of 7 or higher, our comprehensive advice will address all your queries and concerns, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the IELTS Speaking test.
Read on to discover effective techniques that will help you communicate clearly and confidently during the exam.
Table of Content
- IELTS Speaking Test Format
- Tips to Improve the IELTS Speaking Scores
- First Impression is Important
- Fluent Speech
- Practicing Easy Questions
- Speech should have Emotions
- Elaborate your Answers
- Avoid Filler Words
- Not to Panic if you Make a Mistake
- Memorizing is the Wrong Strategy
- Avoid Using Fancy Words
- Pause While Answering
- IELTS Speaking tips- FAQs
IELTS Speaking Test Format
The IELTS Speaking test has three parts, and knowing what to expect in each part can help you prepare better.
- Part 1: This is a 4 to 5-minute chat with the examiner about yourself. They might ask about your job, family, home, or hobbies.
- Part 2: You’ll get a card with a topic and one minute to prepare notes. Then, you talk about the topic for two minutes.
- Part 3: In this part, you discuss the topic from Part 2 in more detail. This conversation lasts about 4 to 5 minutes.
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10 Tips to Improve the IELTS Speaking Scores
Candidates can boost their scores using these easy tips and tricks. Here are the tips to help you do better in the IELTS Speaking test.
First Impression is Important
When you start the test, making an excellent first impression is essential. Dress neatly, make sure you smell nice and feel confident. Even though it might not seem like a big deal, creating a solid first impression can help. So, be confident and show your best self from the beginning.
Fluent Speech
When you’re talking, try to speak smoothly and naturally. This helps you get more points. Avoid using fancy words; talking without stopping too much is critical. But also, take your time, and remember to use good grammar. Find a balance between speaking too fast and taking long breaks. Just speak comfortably and clearly.
Practicing Easy Questions
Before your IELTS Speaking test, it’s helpful to practice answering easy questions about everyday life like work, school, sports, and family. These questions might seem simple, but practising them can make you more confident. Just learn the right words and think about what you’ll say. This way, you’ll be ready for the test.
Speech should have Emotions
When you’re speaking, show your emotions! Your tone of voice is what sets experienced speakers apart from beginners. When you talk, show how you feel! Use your voice to express feelings, like in your language. It makes your speech sound real and exciting.
Elaborate your Answers
When answering the examiner’s questions, try to give complete answers without waiting for them to ask more. If your answers are short, it might seem like you can only talk a little about the topic. If the examiner asks “Why?”, they want you to explain your answer more. So, when you speak, give lots of details and reasons. That way, you show that you can talk about things in depth.
Avoid Filler Words
Fillers are those extra words we say when unsure what to say next. But using them too much makes it seem like you need to figure out what to discuss. Instead, use the helpful phrases. Also, try not to use words like “like,” “you know,” “um,” “ah,” “eh,” “well,” or “yeah.” These words only add a little to what you’re saying.
Not to Panic if you Make a Mistake
If you make a mistake while speaking, there’s no need to panic. Instead, try to correct yourself smoothly. However, if you find it challenging to fix the error, don’t stress about it. Just continue speaking confidently. Remember, mistakes here and there won’t significantly affect your overall score. The important thing is to stay composed and keep the conversation flowing. So, stay relaxed and focus on responding as naturally as possible.
Memorizing is the Wrong Strategy
Refusing to memorise answers is essential, especially for Part 1 of the test. When you memorise answers, it doesn’t show the examiner your accurate English skills. They can tell if your answers are memorised, which might affect your final score. So, it’s better to speak naturally and show what you know. This way, you’ll have a better chance of getting a good score.
Avoid Using Fancy Words
When speaking in the test, using big, fancy words to impress the examiner might be tempting. But it’s safer to stick to words you know well. Using unfamiliar words could lead to mistakes, like saying them wrong or misusing them. Instead, use words you’re familiar with that fit the topic you’re talking about. You can make mind maps of words related to the issues you’ll discuss in the test. This way, you’ll have the right words ready to use.
Pause While Answering
Taking a short break before you answer is okay when asked a question. Sometimes, we all need a moment to understand questions better. During the Speaking test, you can use these phrases to give yourself time to think:
- “Hmm, that’s interesting.” (When you find the question is tricky)
- “I’ve never thought about that before, but…” (When the question is new to you)
- “Let me think.” (When you need a moment to think)
- “That’s a good point.” (When you acknowledge an essential aspect of the question)
- “That’s a tough question, but I’ll give it a try.” (When the question is challenging)
- “Well, some people think that’s true, but I believe…” (When you want to share your opinion)
These were simple and easy tips to improve your IELTS speaking exam scores.
Conclusion
Practising regularly is critical to improving your performance on the IELTS Speaking test. You can boost your confidence by using these helpful phrases during your practice sessions and combining them with the IELTS practice materials. As the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.” So, keep practising with the materials provided, and you’ll achieve the perfect score you need. With dedication and practice, you’ll feel more prepared and confident. Keep going, and you’ll get there!
IELTS Speaking tips- FAQs
What is the first language in the IELTS exam?
Ans. The first language in the IELTS exam refers to a person’s mother tongue, i.e., Gujarati, Sindhi, Punjabi, etc.
Who is the owner of IELTS?
Ans. The IELTS is developed and run by the British Council in partnership with IDP Education and Cambridge Assessment English.
What are the essential topics to be asked in the IELTS speaking test?
Ans. The most frequent questions are about the candidate’s education, life, work, social issues, travel journey, etc.
Which part of the IELTS test is regarded as the easiest?
Ans. The listening part of the IELTS exam is considered most easy for many candidates.
Does 12th marks matter in the IELTS exam?
Ans.12th exam marks do not matter in IELTS.