SpeakingIELTS

By Prof. Alexander B.

Dos Dont’sSpeak clearly and answer in full sentences.

Look at the examiner and maintain eye contact when possible.

Ask for something to be repeated if you do not understand what you are expected to do.

Take the time to plan for Part 2.

Vary the words and phrases you use.

Be well-mannered and respectful throughout the interview.

Don’t speak too softly.

Don’t give yes or no answers.

Don’t try to be somebody else – just relax and answer the questions as well as you can.

Don’t worry about speaking too much - the examiner will control the timing of your responses.

Don’t try to give a rehearsed speech.

Don’t stop trying throughout the interview.

General speaking advice

Immersion Ideas1. Become comfortable speaking in English. (Friends, colleagues, ...)2. Practice the different parts of the interview. Build vocabulary and discuss different topics.3. Familiarise yourself with different grammatical structures – e.g. conditionals, standard introductory phrases like “Well, in my opinion…”4. Record yourself taking the practice test interview.5. Practice the IELTS in 101 Helpful Hints for IELTS.

Impressing the examiner and increasing your band scoreIt is possible to achieve an IELTS band score of 5 or above, if you have an intermediate level of English. (=Modest user)

Before undertaking an IELTS test, ask yourself if you can

Communicate effectively in English with your peers. Use some complex grammatical structures accurately e.g. all basic tenses, all

conditionals (except perhaps 3rd conditional), the passive voice. Insert discourse markers and linking words into your conversation. Make complex sentences that explain and extend your ideas. Understand a variety of English accents (e.g. British, Australian, American, New

Zealand, Canadian). Use appropriate conversational and cultural interaction in a variety of situations.

How to improveYou must demonstrate the ability to carry out all the speech functions listed above, without making systematic technical errors – that is, grammar, vocabulary or (sentence) structure errors that occur repeadtedly. Systematic errors can be identified by practising for the speaking interview, recording yourself, listening critically and evaluating yourself or getting your teacher to evaluate your performance. If you are making the same type of error, remedy the problem by doing some appropriate exercises.

Do not take the IELTS test if you are making lots of systematic errors. Systematic misuse of prepositions, subject/verb agreement, plurals, articles and word order will alert the examiner to your specific language problems.

You do need to impress the examiner. A positive, confident attitude will help.

Description• Paper format: The Speaking test consists of an oral interview

between the test takers' and an examiner. All Speaking tests are recorded.

• Timing: 11–14 minutes

Part 1 – Introduction and interview• Task type and format: In this part, the examiner introduces him/herself and checks

the test takers' identity. Then the examiner asks the test takers general questions on some familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies, interests, future plans.

It is an introduction, so consider the type of things that an English-speaking person might ask when they first met you. Part 1 lasts for 4–5 minutes.

• Task focus: This part of the test focuses on the test takers' ability to communicate opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences or situations by answering a range of questions.

Part 2 – Long turn• Task type and format: The examiner gives the test takers a task card which asks

the test takers to talk about a particular topic, includes points to cover in their talk and instructs the test takers to explain one aspect of the topic. Test takers are given 1 minute to prepare their talk, and are given a pencil and paper to make notes. Using the points on the task card effectively, and making notes during the preparation time, will help the test takers think of appropriate things to say, structure their talk, and keep talking for 2 minutes. The examiner asks the test takers to talk for 1 to 2 minutes, stops the test takers after 2 minutes, and asks one or two questions on the same topic. Part 2 lasts 3–4 minutes, including the preparation time.• Task focus: This part of the test focuses on the test takers' ability to speak at length

on a given topic (without further prompts from the examiner), using appropriate language and organising their ideas coherently.

Part 3 – Two-way discussion• Task type and format: In Part 3, the examiner and the test takers

discuss issues related to the topic in Part 2 in a more general and abstract way and – where appropriate – in greater depth. Part 3 lasts 4–5 minutes.

• Task focus: This part of the test focuses on the test takers' ability to express and justify opinions and to analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.

IELTS Speaking - How it's marked• Fluency and coherence. This criterion refers to the ability to talk with

normal levels of continuity, rate and effort and to link ideas and language together to form coherent, connected speech.• Lexical resource. This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary the test

takers can use and the precision with which meanings and attitudes can be expressed.• Grammatical range and accuracy. This criterion refers to the range and the

accurate and appropriate use of the test takers' grammatical resource.• Pronunciation. This criterion refers to the ability to produce

comprehensible speech to fulfil the Speaking test requirements.

General pointers• Learn to speak clearly using appropriate vocabulary.• Practice using different sentence structure.• Practice paraphrasing – if you don’t know a particular word, try to explain

what you mean using different words.• Get some strategies to repair the conversation if things go wrong.• If you can’t think of a real situation to talk about, imagine one; the

examiner doesn’t know or care if you are telling the truth, just that you are speaking.• It is important to understand that your speaking cannot improve without

much practice.