Want to know 7 IELTS speaking tips that will help you talk like a native English speaker? These strategies have helped thousands of students achieve a high band on their IELTS speaking exams.
IELTS Speaking Tips
Many of you probably feel overwhelmed during the IELTS speaking section. Especially because it is a live discussion where the examiner is sitting in front of you, waiting for you to answer the questions he is asking you. For this reason, I decided to compile a list of the most important IELTS speaking tips you should know about.
As an experienced IELTS teacher myself, I have helped many students find their confidence in passing the IELTS speaking section with flying numbers. These 7 IELTS speaking tips are important to implement in all the different parts of the IELTS speaking section.
You are going to learn about the most seen IELTS speaking test and all its different parts. These are known as IELTS speaking part 1, IELTS speaking part 2, and IELTS speaking part 3. You will be provided with a detailed list of IELTS speaking tips for each part. In addition to this, you will see the latest IELTS speaking topics that students have been seeing on the exam.
This post is all about the IELTS speaking tips you should know to pass your exam.
IELTS Speaking Tips
All about the IELTS Speaking Test
The IELTS speaking test includes 3 different parts which are known as IELTS speaking part 1, IELTS speaking part 2, and IELTS speaking part 3. Each section has a different requirement, but overall you have to be ready to answer the questions. Additionally, there is a certain way you need to answer the questions the examiner is asking you, and that’s what I will be teaching you today.
Let’s start with the IELTS speaking part 1.
IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Guide To Answer Your Questions
In the IELTS speaking part 1 section, the examiner will ask you some questions to get to know you, your living situation, what your hobbies are, and what you do for a living.
When answering the questions in part 1, it is important to consider the following IELTS speaking tips:
Tip 1: When you are asked a question, DO NOT give a one-word answer only.
For example, if the examiner asks “What is your name?” try to answer with “Many people know me by my nickname Mike, but my legal full name is Michael.
When you answer in full sentences, you are giving yourself the opportunity to show off your speaking skills to the examiner. This will help the examiner not only get to know you but for you to potentially score a higher band because you show the examiner your ability to speak English.
Tip 2: Avoid using the exact words from the question the examiner asked you.
When you are answering the question, use synonym language in your response. Doing this will show the examiner that you understand the question and you are able to respond confidently using a different set of words.
Now let’s take a look at some IELTS speaking tips for part 2.
IELTS Speaking Part 2 And How To Answer Your Questions
The IELTS speaking part 2 section, also known as the cue card question requires you to speak about a given topic for a full two minutes. When the examiner first gives you the questions for the IELTS speaking part 2 section, he will give you 1 minute to prepare your answer. During this time, you should brainstorm your ideas of what you will be discussing by adding a few words to a paper. Below I will show you how this can be done.
Tip 3: Take advantage of the one minute of preparation time
As mentioned earlier, when you are given your set of questions, the examiner will give you one minute to prepare your answers and how you structure your discussion about the particular IELTS speaking topic. It is essential that you take advantage of this one minute and write out 2-3 words of what you will discuss in each section.
Keep in mind that there is a certain technique you should use when outlining your ideas because this will help you save time.
If you are not sure how you can outline your IELTS writing task 2 section, have a look at the article titled How The IELTS Speaking Cue Card Question Should Be Answered.
Tip 4: Plan out how you will start your conversation and how you will conclude it
While you are preparing your outline for IELTS writing task 2, you need to think about how you are going to start your conversation and how you will wrap up your discussion. Especially because you need to make sure you speak for a full two minutes.
You also need to ensure that you are able to continue to talk even if you answer all the questions, to fill the entire two minutes. Make sure YOU DO NOT speak for less than two minutes.
Tip 5: Try to use vocabulary related to the topic
When you are responding to the questions, it’s essential that you use related vocabulary words because this will help you increase your band score. In addition to this, using synonym language throughout your sentences is also an added bonus to achieving a higher band.
Tip 6: Stay on topic, don’t discuss anything other than the questions
When you are answering the questions, it is extremely important that you stay on track and do not discuss anything that is not related to the questions. You should aim for 3 sentences when you are answering each question because this will give you a better chance of finishing at the 2-minute mark.
How To Answer Your IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions
The IELTS speaking part 3 section is a casual conversation between you and the examiner. During this time, the examiner will ask you questions related to the same topic he asked you in part 2.
Something to remember is that the questions may be very similar and seem like you are repeating yourself from the part 2 section. It is totally ok if you repeat the same answer you did again, in a different way.
You just need to make sure you don’t tell the examiner you already answered that question, rather just reword the sentence and give the same answer.
Tip 7: Think of the IELTS Speaking part 3 as an informal discussion
The IELTS speaking part 3 section should be thought of as an informal discussion. However, you need to make sure that you speak in full sentences and that you do not use any sort of slang language. In addition to this, being able to show the examiner your confidence by adding a word or two about how native language speakers talk will increase your score. For example, if you are referring to your child, you can say “my little one” instead of “my child.”
Being able to do this shows the examiner that you feel comfortable throughout the IELTS speaking test. If you are looking for more IELTS speaking tips and tricks, have a look at this video:
Now that you have learned about the IELTS speaking tips, below is a list of IELTS speaking topics you may be required to answer about on your exam.
Recent IELTS Speaking Topics
There are many IELTS speaking topics you may see on your exam. Some of these topics can relate to:
- An event that has happened / or is happening in your life
- A topic related to a sports event
- Something to do with societal norms
- Your opinion on something
Check out this YouTube video that provides you with sample questions and answers on challenging IELTS speaking topics:
Where You Can Get Some IELTS Speaking Practice
There are many IELTS speaking practice questions and sample answers on the internet. One thing to remember is that you should not be trying to memorize these answers because the examiner will definitely be able to notice that you are speaking in a tone that has been memorized.
Rather, you should look at these IELTS speaking practice questions and answers to get a general idea of how you should be answering your questions.
So the biggest question you may be asking is how exactly you can prepare for IELTS speaking practice. While it is good to see sample IELTS speaking questions and answers, you should not limit yourself to only these.
Give yourself the opportunity to watch YouTube videos of native English speakers talking amongst one another, listen for vocabulary words that you are not familiar with, and make an effort to look up the word.
When you look up the word, try to practice saying the word, especially because pronunciation is something you will be marked on.
IELTS Speaking Questions and Answers
Here are a few videos where you will see different IELTS speaking questions and answers to get an idea:
Here is another video of some sample IELTS speaking questions and answers:
