IELTS Speaking Module
Overview
The IELTS Speaking Module has three parts. The duration of the speaking test is between 11-14 minutes. It is a one-to-one interview. The interview will be recorded. You can make notes in Part 2 only.
Speaking Module
| Part | Time | Tasks |
| 1. | 4-5 minutes | Answer questions about yourself and your activities related to familiar topics |
| 2. | 3-4 minutes: 1minute preparation1-2 minutes speaking 1 minute follow up questions | Talk on a topic presented on a Cue Card. |
| 3. | 4-5 minutes | Some follow-up questions related to Cue Card. |
Tips and Tricks for the Speaking Test
1.Talk to yourself: When you walk down the street, observe the things around you. Is there a lot of traffic? What do the buildings look like? How is the weather? Is this a typical day in your city? In your mind, describe the scene to someone in English. Imagine a person who has never visited your city and describe the scene to that person.
You can do the same thing at school, at the workplace or anywhere you go. Imagine describing the scene to a foreigner. Explain the customs, traditions, culture, festivals and costumes of people in your country.
2. Make up stories: Use your imagination. Ask yourself questions about everyone and everything you see. Imagine you are playing a character in the story.
3. Make your daily plans: Do you talk to yourself about your plans for the day when you get up in the morning? Do this in English. If you have to decide what to wear and what to have for breakfast. If you will walk or take the bus, think about all these decisions in English. When you have to make a shopping list or a list of chores, do it in English only.
4. Imagine you are appearing for a job interview. Talk about your educational and work background. How much experience do you have? What are your strengths? How do you see your future? Imagine yourself telling your future employer about your achievements.
5. Read books, watch movies and TV programs: Think about a book, film or TV show that you really like. Share your views about them with your friends.
6. Read about the news: When you read the newspaper or watch the news on TV, think about it in English. How can you explain it to another person in English? How could you express your own opinion or feelings about particular news events?
7. Imagine that the examiner is someone you know well.
8. Practice introducing yourself and answering typical “getting to know you” questions.
9. Don’t waste preparation time writing out full sentences. Make notes of just keywords.
10. Practice converting short notes into a short speech.
11. Record your voice and listen to it.
12. Practice giving opinions and supporting them with examples and details. You are being marked on your opinions and speaking abilities, not your knowledge.
13. Pay attention to verb tenses. You may need to talk about the past, present and future in the same topic.
14. Ask the examiner to repeat or explain a question if the task is unclear.
15. Don’t waste time by just repeating the words in the task. The examiner will notice this and not give you credit for it.
16. Make sure you round off your talk by mentioning the last part of the task.
17. If you stress the important words in your talk, it will help your examiner follow your answer more easily.
18. Give reasons for your views that will help you to support your answer well.
19. Express your honest and clear opinions in the discussion. But try to explain why you think your opinion is correct by giving logical reasoning.
20. You will get better marks for fluency if you can sequence ideas, rather than repeating or hesitating over them.
21. If you make a minor mistake, say sorry and repeat the sentence correctly.
What the Examiner is looking for:
Fluency and Coherence
When you answer the examiner’s questions or talk about a topic, your speech must be fluent and cohesive. In other words, the vocabulary you use must fit the situation, and these words should come naturally and quickly. You must elaborate the topic fully with proper cohesion.
You need to speak for 1-2 min on the given topic. The examiner will tell you to stop and will then ask a question or two related to the topic.
Accuracy in Grammar and a wide range of Vocabulary
Accuracy is very important. The examiner will listen to your vocabulary and grammar. He or she will want to make sure that you have a wide vocabulary resource to express yourself and be understood completely along with accurate grammar.
Pronunciation
The examiner will, of course, be paying close attention to your pronunciation. You must speak clearly and fluently with proper intonation.
Some useful expressions for speaking in different situations:
1. Sequence
Useful Words
| first/second | next | then |
| after | before | until |
| by the time | at last, | as soon as |
| when | finally, |
2. Comparing and Contrasting
Useful Words
| same | different from | alike |
| unlike | like | more |
| less | similar to | as |
| however, | On the one hand, on the other hand |
3. Explaining (giving reasons)
Useful Words
| because(of) | since |
| for this reason, | another reason |
| that’s why | so |
4. Responding to Follow-up Questions
Useful Words
| According to my point of view | I strongly believe | I am in favour of_______ because |
| As far as I am concerned | I don’t know if | It seems to me |
| I agree with | I disagree with | Personally, I think |
| I am sure that | I think it’s a good idea because | The main advantage of ___________is that |
| If I had to choose | The disadvantage of _________ is that | In my opinion |
5. Giving some additional Information
Useful Words
| also | as well as | in addition, |
| apart from this | additionally, | moreover |
| furthermore | as well |
6. Delay Tactics
Useful Phrases
| That’s an interesting question. | I’ve never thought about that before. |
| That’s a complicated issue. | There are a lot of different reasons _________ |
| There are so many ways to answer that. | That’s rather a tricky question but I will try to answer that _________ |
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