The IELTS Speaking test is conducted in a room either face-to-face or via video call, and it is an informal discussion with an IELTS examiner. Speaking for both Academic and General Training is identical. The speaking is divided into 3 parts: the first is the interview, the second is the cue card, and the third is the discussion questions. It is assessed on the basis of task achievement, pronunciation, fluency, grammar, and vocabulary. It lasts for 11 to 15 minutes, as the entire time is strictly managed by the examiner who conducts the speaking task. The appropriate approach must be adopted while preparing the answer to attain success.

The performance of the student is evaluated by the examiner, based on four key areas: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. The speaking proficiency of the test taker is measured using band scores, which range from 0 to 9 with increments of 0.5 band scores, which calculates the English language competency level of the student.

IELTS Speaking Practice

There are many ways that you can practice your speaking. The most important things to remember are:

• It is better to practice on your own than not practice at all.
• There are thousands of ways to practice with a partner online.
• Focus on the 4 marking criteria.
• Be a reflective learner. Record your practice sessions.
• Identify your weaknesses and take action to improve those shortcomings.

The IELTS Speaking tips given below will assist the test takers that how the Speaking has to be improved in terms of content and other important aspects.

1. Practice daily: A regular practice which includes conversation, independent speaking on any topic will help you to improve your communication skills.
2. Familiarity with the test format: Be familiar with all the THREE parts of the Speaking. Go through with the questions which are commonly asked in the exam.
3. Be clear and confident: The student should maintain the fluency and be loud and clear with the focus on the pronunciation of each word otherwise the unclear voice can lead to less score.
4. Lengthy Answer: The test taker should always give the explanation to the asked question rather than answering them in YES/NO. and should provide proper explanation to each question with an example or personal opinion.
5. Vocabulary: To score above 7 band, the test taker should use wide range of vocabulary or the phrases to express their view point.
6. Avoid Repetition: Avoid repeating any idea or any word as repetition of these would deduct the score.
7. Connectors and linking words: To maintain the coherence, use linking words such as For Instance, Moreover, Consequently etc., this helps to maintain the flow of the ideas logically.
8. Maintain eye contact: Eye contact is considered to be most crucial as it shows how much confident the test taker is while answering the questions of the examiner. Euye contact has a positive impact on the examiner.

IELTS Speaking Marking Criteria

The marking criteria of the IELTS Speaking is based on pronunciation, lexical resources, grammatical range and accuracy and fluency and coherence.

1. Pronunciation
   • The clarity in the speech matters a lot if the test taker is looking for a good score and language should be easily understood.
   • The test taker should include intonation, emphasis on important words and should follow the natural rhythm of the speech.
2. Lexical Resource
   • It assesses speaking based on the range of vocabulary used by the test taker.
   • Use the variety of academic and technical vocabulary words based on the topic.
   • Rephrase the topic carefully while starting the conversation or while speaking on the given topic.
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
   • The test taker has to be grammatically good; the structure of the sentence has to be correct such as usage of tenses and voice.
4. Fluency and Coherence
   • Measures your ability to:
     • Speak smoothly at a natural pace with minimum pauses.
     • Use linking words such as connectors and ordinals to maintain the logical flow of the ideas.

Scoring Process

·         The examiner conducting your Speaking decides the score based on the performance.

·         The test is recorded to ensure fairness.

·         You can apply for the revaluation if not satisfied with the score.

The brief about all the 3 Parts gives an idea to a student how the SPEAKING in the real exam will be conducted:

Part 1

In part 1 the examiner will ask the questions based on the test taker’s studies, work, family or hobbies, basically it’s about routine questions. This will last around 4-5 minutes.

The example of the questions asked in PART 1 is given below:

• What kind of place is it?
• Which is the most interesting part of your town/village?
• What kind of jobs do the people in your town/village do?
• Would you say it’s a good place to live? (Why?)

Let’s move on to talk about accommodation.

1. Tell me about the kind of accommodation you live in.
2. How long have you lived there?
3. What do you like about living there?
4. What sort of accommodation would you most like to live in?
   
    

Tips for Part 1 Speaking

·         When the Speaking Session starts, first of all examiner will ask the FULL NAME and will ask to identification card (Passport).

·         The test taker should avoid memorized answers to the given questions that may give a lower score.

·         You will be asked some general topics, such as music that you like or enjoy, preparing food, the climate, or favorite movies. In most cases, you have to answer some questions on a maximum of one or two issues.

·         The examiner will ask questions that are written down. They will listen to your answer and may ask you to explain more by saying “why?” or “why not?” if your answer is too brief.

·         This part question based and our evaluated based on the opinion of the test taker on the given topics. 

Part 2 

Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test will provide a topic to the test taker on any particular statement for which 1 minute will be provided for preparation to the test taker. This 1 minute can be utilized to make notes on the notepad given by the examiner at the time of SPEAKING session. The timer is with the examiner, when the time gets over the examiner will signal you to start with the explanation to the given topic.

The time given to speak is 1-2 minutes in which the test taker has to cover all the given 3-4 points in the given topic within 1-2 minutes. If you are aiming to score at least 7 to 7.5 band then keep the flow continued till the time all the main points are not covered, any personal experience related to the statement can also be shared, this will help to develop the responses.

This section evaluates your ability to:

1. Deliver an extended, organized response.
2. The proper usage of vocabulary and grammar boost the score.
3. The ideas are presented in a logical and cohesive way.
4. Your motive should be to showcase your proficiency in speaking by maintaining coherence, speaking at length and getting engaged with the topic confidently.

CUE CARD: Describe an achievement you are proud of.

• What is the achievement?
• When did it happen?
• How did you accomplish it?
• Why is it significant to you?

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.

Here you can talk about Academic achievement for instance: graduating with good percentage OR you can talk about any accomplishment at your job.

Part 3 

Once the test taker completes the PART 2, he will have to go through two-way discussion process which includes follow-up questions and most of them are based on the topic given in PART 2. Part 3 is the complex one and is linked to the topic spoken in Part 2, it will last for 4-5 minutes. Most of the time the test taker gets scrutinized through this PART as more details and analysis are there compared to whatever has been spoken in PART 2. More details are required with the proper reasoning and the examiner will demand the answer to the following questions till the time he is not satisfied with the responses. The students who share their own opinion or their personal experience are easily able to crack this part but the students who have memorized their topics face difficulty and are not able to speak fluently. The examiner expects the test taker to be more in depth and logical with the responses.

Example of Follow-Up Questions:

1. How to measure a person’s success?
2. Do you think the way people achieve goals has changed?
3. How do you define achievement?
4. What is the most difficult thing that you have ever done?
5. What are the 3 achievements that you are proud of?