IELTS Speaking tips
Speak until they stop you, don’t just answer the question and stop. Display you best English. Behave as if it was a driving test – keep going straight until told to turn right, left or park
It is quite possible that you have to speak about something you have never heard of, or have no opinion of. If you don’t know the subject – tell the examiner immediately, so they could ask you another question. If you don’t tell them and start trying to speak, they might think that it is not a knowledge problem, but a language problem
The speaking test is probably the most difficult for students because there they have to speak to someone. Actually, you might not need to worry as much as you do. A number of studies have suggested that candidates feel their speaking skills are weakest when this is not the case. If you can speak confidently, clearly and make your ideas understood, there is no reason why you shouldn't get a reasonable speaking test score
These tips will help you
Unless your pronunciation is particularly poor, don't waste time on pronunciation lessons. It is much more beneficial to spend the time acquiring a good range of vocabulary and structure
This is easy to say, but don't be nervous. Think of it like this: if you are really nervous and can't speak then your score will be poor. If you are confident and speak freely, you will have no idea what your score will be - it could be great
Remember your job is to give the assessor something to assess - if you only say 'Yes' or 'No' during the interview, the assessor won't be able to give you a good score. Your job is to give the assessor as much as possible to consider. This means, speak as much as you can. Don't go off topic and don't talk about anything that comes into your head, but speak as much as you can. The assessors will stop you when they are ready
Remember the assessor won't prompt you to speak. If you don't say enough they will go onto the next question. If you continue not to say enough, the interview could be very short
Don’t ask the assessor what questions mean. All they can do if you don't understand is repeating the question. You can though ask the examiner to repeat a question if you are not sure you understood it
As with the writing test, don't show off. Some candidates use difficult vocabulary and grammar without really knowing how to use both. The result will be a decline in how well you speak and your score will go down
Extend your answers by giving reasons
A. "I don't really like going to the cinema"o
B. "I don't really like going to the cinema because it's expensive and I don't like crowds very much"o
before speaking test
Before going into the room, take three DEEP breaths
Do not worry about mistakes - everybody makes them! Instead, think about communicating well
Do not worry about your accent. Just speak clearly
Avoid slang or very informal language. We only use such language with our close friends
Say NAMES slowly. If you say a name in your own language, you MUST explain it
Do NOT use difficult words or expressions unless you are 100% sure you know how to use them right. If you use words at the wrong time, your score will be lower
Make good, clear sentences to express your meaning
Do not speak neither too fast nor too slow
You cannot ask questions on Part 1 or Part 2, but you SHOULD ask questions on Part 3 if you do not understand
Do not change the topic. The examiner will think you cannot speak enough on that topic and will give you a lower score
If you don't know much about a topic, talk about something related to that topic, then explain the connection
Do not memorize answers to prepare for the test. The examiner will hear that you are not speaking naturally and will change the topic
Practice speaking with a watch. You should use about 4 minutes for each part of the Speaking Test
Practice speaking with a friend. Your friend can surprise you with all kinds of questions