Stephen J.Siebold – Everything You Need To Know About Speaking
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most widely utilized English language proficiency test for higher education and international migration worldwide.
It is designed to assist you in immigrating or pursuing higher studies to a country where English is the primary language. These countries are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
IELTS has four sections:Â Speaking, Reading, Listening, and Writing.
It is marked on a scale of 1 to 9, 9 being the highest. The IELTS testing techniques are designed to assess a candidateâs ability to use English in real-life and practical situations.
Those who have taken the IELTS test might say that the Speaking section is the lightest and easiest section compared to the Reading, Listening, and Writing sections.
It might be because it has the shortest duration. The IELTS Speaking test lasts for only about 11 to14 minutes. Some would also say it is because the examiner appears friendly and would make sure to make candidates feel at ease during the test.
However, the IELTS Speaking test is not as simple as it seems. There is more to it that is worth noting if you are one of those who plan to take the IELTS test.
The IELTS speaking section includes a brief but intense face-to-face interview. To answer the examinerâs questions quickly, you need focus, creativity, and solid and consistent English abilities.
Through this article, you will know everything there is to know about the IELTS Speaking test.
While others believe it isnât that challenging, some claim that the interview felt like an eternity simply because they were unprepared.
The IELTS Speaking test is similar for both the Academic and General Training modules. Like mentioned earlier, it lasts for about 11 to 14 minutes.
It is designed to assess your pronunciation, fluency, grammar, and vocabulary. It is divided into three parts.
The IELTS Speaking test is in an (informal) interview format between the examinee and the candidate and is recorded if you want a remark.
The examiner controls the time and the length of your answers. They will be the ones to decide your marks after the test.
For candidates who take the computer-based test, the IELTS Speaking test still has to be done face-to-face.
Depending on local arrangements, the Speaking test is conducted either on the same day as the other three tests: Listening, Reading, and Writing, or seven days before or after.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4 to 5 minutes)
In the first part, IELTS Speaking test Task 1 you will be told by the examiner to state your name and present your identification.
You will be asked typical questions about yourself like where you live and working or studying.
You will then be thrown a series of questions regarding various things, such as your favorite music, cooking, weather, or favorite movies.
More often than not, you will be questioned about one or two topics.
If your answer is too brief, the examiner will ask rehearsed questions and listen to your response, urging you to elaborate with a âwhy?â or âwhy not?â
This part of the test uses a question-and-answer style to assess your ability to deliver your point of view on various topics by responding to a series of questions.
Part 2: Individual Long Turn (3 to 4 minutes)
In the second part, IELTS Speaking Test Task 2, the examiner will assign you a topic and ask you to speak for one to two minutes about it.
You will be handed a cue card with the topic on it, as well as a piece of paper and a pencil for you to take notes. On the card, you will find the speaking prompt and some ideas for topics to discuss.
Before you talk, you will have exactly one minute to prepare and take notes.
The examiner will keep track of your time and notify you when it is up. They will advise you when to begin your discussion and warn you that you will be stopped after two minutes.
The points on the topic card will help you come up with ideas for what to say, and you should aim to speak for the entire two minutes.
Before moving on to the next portion, they may ask you a question about what you have said.
This part of the test appraises your ability to speak for an extended period about a specific topic while using proper language and organizing your thoughts logically.
You can use your prior knowledge of the subject to assist you in completing the long turn.
Part 3: Two-Way Discussion (4 to 5 minutes)
Questions in the third part, the IELTS Speaking Test Task 3, will be related to the overall topic you discussed in the second part.
You will explore the topic in a more general and abstract manner, demonstrating to the examiner that you can express and justify your thoughts and analyze, discuss, and hypothesize about the topic in greater depth.
If your long turn was about a lovely spot to visit in your city, this part might start with a discussion about beautiful places, with the first question being, âDo you believe itâs essential to keep cities beautiful?â
In this part, the examiner will speak with you longer and may ask you to justify your beliefs to assess how well you can convey abstract ideas compared to the personal topics you discussed in the first and second parts.
The IELTS Speaking test evaluates your English communication skills. For your spoken English language skills, the examiner assigns band scores that range from 1 to 9.
The IELTS Speaking test is evaluated by certified and qualified examiners and is graded on four categories.
All IELTS test examiners will have some teaching experience and be hired by test centers after being approved by the British Council and IDP IELTS Australia.
- You will find the complete details on how the IELTS Speaking test is marked, check our comprehensive guide on the IELTS Band Scoring System.
How to Improve Your Overall English Speaking Skills?
The IELTS Speaking test indeed could be stressful.
You will be examined thoroughly not just on the kind of answers you give, ut also on your ability to speak English, which isnât your primary language.
Answering the questions alone could bring you anxiety, how much more speaking it in another language you are not familiar with.
With that, we have gathered the possible ways and means to improve your English-speaking skills while preparing for the IELTS speaking test.Â
DOs:
- Join public speaking events. It will be of great help not just for your English but for your confidence as well.
- Watch English movies and imitate their expressions. Observe their intonations when they talk.
- Record yourself and listen to how confident you sound. Check if your pronunciation needs improvement.
- Find an English-speaking conversation partner or a tutor to boost your confidence. Apply what you will learn from them in your daily conversations.
- Converse in English with your friends, family members, and workmates before you take the test. Practice as often as you can, with all the people you can.
- Use technology. Some various apps and programs are just a click away.
DONâTs:
- Donât force yourself to learn everything at once. English-speaking is a skill that needs to be developed gradually.
- Donât use words and phrases you are not comfortable and confident with. This will affect the coherence of your sentences.
- Donât utilize everything you find on the internet. Learn how to filter them and select only those from reliable sources.
- Donât worry about your IELTS speaking test. The examiner is grading you on how well you can express your point of view rather than on the answers you supply.
How Can You Improve Your Speaking In IELTS?
The best thing about the IELTS test is that you can take it when you feel ready.
You will have enough time to practice and prepare yourself. And with all the possible resources to utilize, there are lots of ways on how you can improve your IELTS Speaking skills.
To help you get a great band score, we have listed the most effective and proven strategies you can employ in preparation for the IELTS speaking test.
Focus on all four areas as these are the criteria on how you will be marked.
Fluency
- Read out loud: Reading in the head doesnât exercise your vocal organs. Reading out loud does. It exercises the same vocal organs that you exert when speaking to someone. Fundamentally, thatâs the main reason reading out loud improves your fluency. You have to talk to be better at communicating.
- Think in English: It takes less time to produce or answer in regular discussions if you already think in English. There is no need to translate. Keeping a notebook in which you describe your daily ideas in English is an excellent method to begin rethinking. It does not have to be perfect; the goal is to get your thoughts out in English with as little effort as possible.
Grammar
- Proofread out loud: Our brain completes the gaps of missing information when we re-read pieces we have written. When we proofread, we do not always spot our errors. Reading what you have written out loud, preferably to someone else, is an excellent approach to check whether you have used proper grammar. When you read the information aloud rather than silently to yourself, you are more likely to discover your mistakes.
- Get a grammar manual: While practicing, it is helpful to have a comprehensive reference book nearby. This way, if you have a grammar question, you can quickly look up the answer in the manual. There are numerous high-quality grammar reference books available.
VocabularyÂ
- Learn new words daily:Â This is an excellent method to expand your vocabulary. Set a reasonable goal for yourself, whether it is three or six words per day. It is worth trying even one new word per day. After a year, you will have learned 365 new English words by learning one new word every day. Depending on your daily routine, news, songs, and TV shows are excellent sources for learning new terms. If you want to listen to music, take note of the lyrics and jot down any unfamiliar words.
- Learn words in phrases: Advantageously, you learn words in groupings. âA glass of wineâ, âa pint of beerâ, âa cup of teaâ, âa pot of coffeeâ, are examples of beverage terms. It is preferable to master those terms than only âwineâ, âbeerâ, âteaâ, and other beverages. Learning words that are related can also be beneficial. During a lunar month, the moon goes through four phases: crescent, gibbon, waxing, and waning. Learning all four terms at the same time is more efficient.
Pronunciation
- Use online dictionaries:Â Use the little speaker symbol in online dictionaries to check the pronunciation of any term you are unsure about. This will ensure that you are pronouncing the words like native speakers will.
- Watch English videos and listen to podcasts:Â May it be movies, television series, or YouTube videos, watch them as frequently as you can. We tend to imitate what we hear if we listen to them all the time.
- Try tongue-twisters : Although it is not the usual sample of your daily conversation, it demonstrates the richness of spoken English. Aside from that, you will have a good laugh.
How to Preparate for the IELTS Speaking Test Section?
Before taking the IELTS speaking test, here are some tips and tricks that will make you feel more confident to help you ace it and get the band score that you desire.
Before the Test
- Sleep and eat well a day before your IELTS test: Ensure that you are well-rested and have eaten well. This is to keep your focus during the test.
- Get everything you need ready: You will need your ID on the day of the test. This ID should be the same ID that you used when you registered.
- Know the location: Before taking the test, make it a point that you know where the testing center is. Have an idea of the flow of traffic in that area. Do not be late.
Note that the IELTS Speaking test is held at a different date and location than the other three tests. Double-check these details.
During the Test
- Be the one to greet the examiner first: Introduce and greet the examiner the moment you arrive at the testing room. Extend a warm smile and let the examiner know you are ready and prepared.
- Speak naturally: Some candidates make the mistake of imitating the accent of native English speakers. While there is simply nothing wrong with that, it is pretty noting that not speaking the way you naturally do on the day of your IELTS speaking test might make it difficult for you to express and convey your responses better.
- Ask questions to the examiner: There is nothing wrong with requesting the examiner to repeat the question if you do not understand it. If you have any doubts about the question, you can ask the examiner to repeat it. You will not be deducted marks for asking questions.
- Use âemotionsâ: While taking the IELTS speaking test, select your words carefully. Bring in emotions wherever necessary. Try to be like a native English speaker.
- Expand your responses: If the examiner asks you to speak about a subject, do not answer in a single sentence. Make an effort to cover the entire topic and elaborate your responses.
- Think before you answer: Formulate your thoughts first before answering the questions of the examiner. It is okay not to answer them right away. It is better to think first rather than respond too quickly and realize you are giving the wrong responses.
- Donât freak out if mistakes happen: Do not be alarmed if you make a mistake while speaking. Instead, make an effort to fix the error. You will not be deducted marks if your thought process is good.
- Stay on topic: It is indeed essential to be informative without diverting from the topic. Stick to the subject and speak for it. Not staying on the topic will give the examiner a negative impression.
After the Test
- Relax:Â At this point, we know you have worked so hard. It is now time to give yourself a break. Relax and unwind. Treat yourself. Watch a movie, eat at your favorite restaurant, or go shopping.
- Accept the result positively: Wait patiently for the result, and whatever it will be, take it with a good attitude. Prepare and plan for what comes next if you achieve your goal band score. If not, it is okay. You can retake it whenever you feel like you are ready. Some candidates have taken it twice, and even thrice too.
- For a thorough and comprehensive guide on how to prepare for the entire IELTS test, check out our comprehensive IELTS preparation guide.
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