Mastering IELTS Speaking: Tips for Success

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a crucial English language proficiency test required for immigration and higher education purposes in English-speaking countries like Canada, the UK, and the USA. In this blog, we will delve into valuable insights and tips for effective IELTS speaking preparation to help you achieve a high score in the exam.

IELTS Speaking Test Overview

The IELTS speaking section comprises three parts:

Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes)

In the first part of the IELTS speaking test, the examiner will begin by introducing themselves and then ask you to introduce yourself. You will typically be asked about familiar topics such as your name, hometown, studies, work, and interests. These questions are designed to put you at ease and help you get comfortable speaking in English. The purpose of Part 1 is to assess your ability to provide basic information and engage in a casual conversation.

To perform well in this section, it is important to answer naturally and confidently. Try not to memorize responses, as examiners can easily detect rehearsed answers. Instead, focus on being clear, organized, and relaxed. For example, when talking about your hometown, you can describe where it is located, what it is famous for, and why you like it. This will show your ability to extend answers beyond short responses and demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary and grammar.

Another useful strategy is to add small details and examples. For instance, if you are asked about your hobbies, you could say: “I really enjoy reading fiction books, especially novels that explore different cultures, because they allow me to learn about the world from another perspective.” This kind of answer sounds natural, fluent, and gives the examiner more language to evaluate. Remember that Part 1 is not about giving perfect answers, but about showing that you can communicate effectively and comfortably in everyday English.

In addition, maintaining good pronunciation, intonation, and eye contact can leave a positive impression. Even if you make minor grammatical errors, being expressive and engaged in the conversation can help you score higher. Think of this section as a friendly chat rather than a strict interview—it’s your opportunity to start strong and set a confident tone for the rest of the speaking test.

Part 2: Long Turn (3 minutes)

In Part 2, you will receive a task card with a specific topic written on it. You will have 1 minute to prepare and make some notes about the topic. After this preparation time, you are required to speak for 2 minutes on the given topic. The task card may also include some guiding questions to help you structure your response. Second part aims to evaluate your ability to speak coherently and in detail about a given topic, demonstrating your speaking skills, vocabulary, and organization.

Many test-takers find this section challenging because they have to speak continuously without interruption. The key to success is to use your 1-minute preparation time wisely. Quickly write down keywords or ideas for each guiding question. You don’t need to write full sentences—just short notes that will remind you of what to say. Structuring your talk with a simple beginning, middle, and end will also make it easier to stay organized and coherent.

For example, if the topic card asks you to describe a memorable trip, you can start by introducing when and where the trip happened, then talk about the main experiences you had, and finally explain why it was meaningful to you. Using transition phrases like “first of all,” “then,” “after that,” and “finally” helps the listener follow your ideas easily. Remember, fluency is not about speaking fast—it’s about speaking smoothly and logically.

During your long turn, don’t be afraid of short pauses. They are natural and give you time to think. You can also use fillers like “let me think,” or “that’s an interesting question” to sound more natural while organizing your thoughts. It’s also beneficial to include personal reflections or feelings, as they make your talk more authentic. For instance, instead of just describing what happened, add why you enjoyed it or what you learned from the experience. This adds depth and variety to your response, showing a higher level of language proficiency.

In summary, Part 2 of the IELTS speaking test is an opportunity to showcase your ability to develop an idea in English. Practicing with sample topics and timing yourself at home can help you gain confidence. Over time, you’ll learn to organize your speech naturally and speak more fluently, which can significantly improve your band score.

Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

Part 3 of the IELTS speaking test is conducted in a discussion format. The examiner will continue the conversation from Part 2 but will delve deeper into the topic. You will be asked to express and justify your opinions, discuss related issues, and provide explanations. This part of the test assesses your ability to engage in more complex and extended discourse, demonstrating your critical thinking skills, ability to discuss abstract ideas, and use of advanced language structures.

In this section, candidates are expected to go beyond simply describing facts or experiences. The examiner may ask questions that require you to compare and contrast ideas, evaluate social issues, or predict future trends. For example, if your Part 2 topic was about technology, the examiner might ask follow-up questions such as “How do you think technology will change the way people work in the future?” or “Do you believe that technology has made people more isolated?” These questions are designed to test not only your vocabulary and grammar range but also how logically and coherently you can build an argument in English.

To perform well in this part, it is crucial to organize your thoughts clearly and support your opinions with reasons or examples. Avoid giving one-sentence answers — instead, aim for responses that show your ability to explain, elaborate, and justify. Using linking phrases such as “on the other hand,” “as a result,” “for instance,” or “in my opinion” can help your ideas flow naturally and make your answer sound more professional. Remember, coherence and fluency are just as important as grammatical accuracy in this stage of the test.

Another important tip is to remain calm and confident, even if you don’t fully agree with the topic or don’t have much personal experience related to it. The examiner is not judging your opinion, but your ability to express it in English. Therefore, practice discussing various topics such as education, environment, culture, or technology with friends or through mock interviews. You can also watch English-speaking podcasts, debates, or TED Talks to learn how native speakers develop ideas and transition smoothly between points.

Read also: IELTS Score Requirements for Studying in the UK

The IELTS speaking test progresses from basic introductory questions to a more in-depth discussion, allowing the examiner to assess your English language proficiency across different levels of complexity. It is essential to practice and prepare for each part to showcase your speaking abilities effectively during the test.

For candidates aiming for a band score of 7 or higher, Part 3 is a great opportunity to demonstrate fluency, flexibility, and the ability to handle challenging ideas. Practicing with sample questions, recording your own answers, and analyzing your speaking habits can significantly improve your performance. Moreover, learning to paraphrase questions and express agreement or disagreement politely are useful techniques to keep the conversation natural and engaging. Remember, consistency and confidence throughout the three parts of the speaking test are key indicators of a strong English speaker.

In summary, Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking Test is not only about answering complex questions but also about showing your ability to think critically, express ideas clearly, and interact naturally with the examiner. The more you expose yourself to English-speaking environments and practice expressing your thoughts on various issues, the more confident and articulate you will become during the actual exam. Continuous practice, exposure to different question types, and expanding your vocabulary will help you perform at your best.

IELTS Speaking Scoring

Fluency and Coherence:

• Fluency assesses your ability to speak smoothly and without frequent interruptions. It’s important to maintain a steady flow of speech without awkward pauses or hesitations.

• Coherence evaluates how well your ideas are organized and connected. Your responses should be structured logically, with clear transitions between points.

Lexical Resources:

• This criterion examines your vocabulary and word choice. Examiners assess whether you use a wide range of words and phrases appropriately to express your ideas. Avoiding repetition and demonstrating a rich vocabulary is essential.

Pronunciation:

• Pronunciation evaluates how accurately and clearly you articulate words and sounds in English. While it doesn’t require you to have a native-like accent, it does expect clear and intelligible speech.

• Emphasizing the correct stress and intonation patterns according to the context can also impact your pronunciation score positively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy:

• This criterion assesses your command of English grammar and sentence structures. You are expected to use a variety of sentence types, including complex ones, and to do so accurately.

• Correctly using tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, and other grammatical elements is crucial to demonstrating proficiency in this area.

Scoring Calculation:

• Each of these four criteria (Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resources, Pronunciation, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy) is scored on a scale from 0 to 9, with 0 being the lowest and 9 being the highest.

• The examiner assigns a score for each criterion based on your performance in that specific area. These individual scores are typically given in half-point increments (e.g., 6.5, 7.0, 7.5).

• To calculate your final IELTS speaking score, the scores for each criterion are added together. For instance, if you receive scores of 7.0 for Fluency and Coherence, 7.5 for Lexical Resources, 8.0 for Pronunciation, and 7.5 for Grammatical Range and Accuracy, the total would be 7.0 + 7.5 + 8.0 + 7.5 = 30.0.

• Finally, the total score is divided by four to determine your overall speaking band score. In the example above, 30.0 divided by 4 equals 7.5. Therefore, your final IELTS speaking band score would be 7.5.

So, your performance in each of these four criteria is assessed separately, and then your overall speaking score is determined by averaging these individual scores. This approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of your speaking abilities in the IELTS test.

How to Improve Score in Each Criterion

Fluency and Coherence

• Be Confident: Confidence in your speaking is key to fluency. Speak with conviction, even if you’re unsure about the topic. Hesitations and self-doubt can affect fluency.

• Avoid Memorization: While it’s crucial to be prepared, avoid memorizing responses. Examiners are looking for spontaneous, natural speech, not rehearsed answers.

• Stay on Topic: Ensure that your responses are directly related to the topic or question. Going off on tangents can lead to incoherent and less focused speech.

Lexical Resources

• Avoid Word Repetition: Repeating the same words or phrases can negatively impact your score. Learn synonyms and use them to avoid redundancy.

• Choose Words Contextually: Use words that fit the context of your response. Consider the meaning and appropriateness of words within the specific topic.

• Understand Their Meanings: Don’t use words you’re not familiar with. Make sure you understand the meanings and nuances of the words you use to express your ideas effectively.

Pronunciation

• Speak Clearly: Enunciate each word clearly and precisely. Focus on correct pronunciation of sounds, particularly those that may be challenging for non-native speakers.

• Record and Review: Recording your speech during practice allows you to review and correct pronunciation errors. Listen to your recordings and work on improving problem areas.

• Learn from Public Speakers: Watching or listening to proficient English speakers, such as public speakers, news anchors, or native speakers, can help you understand and mimic correct pronunciation patterns.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

• Use Complex Sentence Structures: Demonstrate your command of English by incorporating a variety of sentence structures, including simple, compound, complex, and conditional sentences.

• Wide Range of Grammar and Vocabulary: Expand your knowledge of both grammar and vocabulary. Incorporate advanced grammatical forms and use a diverse range of words and phrases.

• Appropriate Tenses: Ensure that you use the correct verb tenses based on the context of your response. Consistent and accurate use of tenses is essential for grammatical accuracy.

Improving in each of these criteria requires practice, feedback, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Consider working with a language tutor or participating in speaking clubs to receive constructive feedback and further enhance your speaking skills. Additionally, practice speaking on a variety of topics to build your fluency and proficiency in different subject areas.

Read also: Master the IELTS Speaking Test Easily

Preparation Timeline

To attain a strong score in the IELTS speaking test, it’s recommended to commit a minimum of 3-4 weeks to focused preparation.

During this time, you should follow a structured study plan, practice regularly, and receive feedback on your performance.

Engaging in conversations in English during your free time, whether with friends, family, or language partners, can help you maintain fluency and reinforce your speaking skills.

Difference Between Academic and General Speaking

In both the Academic and General Training versions of the IELTS speaking test, the test format remains the same. There are no differences in the format of the speaking test between these two categories.

Common IELTS Speaking Test Format for Both Academic and General Training:

• Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes): In this section, you introduce yourself and answer basic questions about topics like your studies, work, and interests. The purpose is to assess your ability to engage in a casual conversation.

• Part 2: Long Turn (3 minutes): Here, you receive a task card with a specific topic and have 1 minute to prepare. You then speak for 2 minutes on the given topic, providing details and structure.

• Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes): This part involves a discussion format where the examiner continues the conversation from Part 2 but delves deeper into the topic. You are asked to express and justify your opinions and discuss related issues.

While the format remains the same, the content of the topics in Part 2 and Part 3 may vary depending on whether you are taking the Academic or General Training version. In the Academic version, topics are often related to academic subjects or scenarios, while in the General Training version, topics are more focused on everyday life and general situations.

Regardless of whether you are taking the Academic or General Training module, it is imperative to comprehend the exam format and practice speaking on a variety of subjects in order to effectively prepare for both versions of the IELTS speaking test.

Practice and Prepare

Let’s delve into more details on how to practice and prepare effectively for the IELTS Speaking section:

Dedicate Time with a Study Schedule:

Create a structured study schedule that outlines when and how much time you’ll dedicate to IELTS Speaking practice. Consistency is key to improvement, so stick to your schedule.

Engage in English Conversations with Peers:

Conversing in English with friends, family, or language exchange partners is invaluable. This provides an opportunity to practice spontaneous speaking, build fluency, and gain confidence in using the language.

Take Online Practice Tests:

Utilize online resources that offer IELTS Speaking practice tests. These tests mimic the actual exam format and questions, helping you become familiar with the test environment and requirements.

Record Your Speech:

Record yourself while practicing IELTS Speaking responses. This allows you to listen to your speech objectively and identify areas for improvement. Pay attention to pronunciation, fluency, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.

Rectify Mistakes:

After recording and reviewing your speech, make note of the mistakes you’ve identified. Focus on addressing these mistakes in your future practice sessions. Consider seeking guidance from a tutor or language partner to correct specific issues.

Mock Interviews:

Conduct mock interviews with a study partner, tutor, or language exchange partner. Try to replicate the IELTS Speaking test environment as nearly as you can. Practice answering a variety of questions on different topics to enhance your ability to respond spontaneously.

Feedback and Correction:

Seek feedback from experienced English speakers, teachers, or tutors. They can provide constructive criticism and guidance on areas that need improvement, such as pronunciation, vocabulary usage, or grammatical errors.

Expand Vocabulary and Knowledge:

Read extensively in English to broaden your vocabulary and knowledge. The more words you are familiar with, the better equipped you’ll be to express yourself clearly and precisely.

Practice on a Range of Topics:

Don’t limit your practice to specific topics. Cover a wide range of subjects to ensure you’re prepared for any topic that may arise during the test.

Time Management:

During practice, work on managing your time effectively for each part of the speaking test. Allocate appropriate time for preparation, speaking, and discussion, as per the test format.

Self-Assessment:

Continuously assess your progress. Compare your practice recordings to earlier ones to track improvement in fluency, coherence, pronunciation, and grammar.

By following these detailed practice and preparation strategies, you can gradually improve your IELTS Speaking skills and build the confidence needed to perform well on the actual test day. Remember that practice is key to success in the speaking section, so dedicate sufficient time and effort to your preparation.

Read also: Choose the Right IELTS Course in Jakarta

Tips Before, During, and After the Test:

• Stay well-rested and healthy before the test.

• Avoid travel close to the exam date.

• Maintain a positive mindset.

• Practice in front of a mirror.

• Ensure you have all necessary materials.

• Review your mistakes and improve.

• Emphasize words as per context.

• Engage in conversation with the examiner.

• Avoid binary answers; elaborate on responses.

In conclusion, thorough and dedicated preparation is essential for success in the IELTS speaking test. Following these tips and guidelines will help you perform confidently and achieve a high score. Good luck with your IELTS speaking test!

Well, now you know what you need to prepare. Let’s start your IELTS preparation to achieve a score that meets the requirements of your target universities. There are many online practice tests available on the internet, but still feeling confused? Join us now.