It is quite common to get nervous while preparing for IELTS speaking. But do not panic! This blog will help you with some Dos and Don’ts of preparing for this particular section.
If you want to practise for this section, check LeapScholar for some sample topics along with their answers. These will help you prepare for the speaking test.
How to Prepare For the IELTS Speaking Section?
While preparing for the speaking test, follow these Dos and Don’ts to excel in this section.
| Dos | Don’ts |
| Know the format | Memorise answers |
| Create good impression | Use unfamiliar words |
| Show you’re interested | Worry about your accent |
| Explain clearly | Answer in Yes/No |
| Be fluent | Divert from topic |
| Take a pause | Speak monotonously |
DOs:
- Know The Procedure
Individuals preparing for the IELTS speaking test must know the proper procedure of the test format. Knowing the procedure will let them know what to expect, thus, reducing nervousness.
This section is divided into three parts:
Part 1 – The IELTS examiner will have an informal conversation with you. Here, you can include topics like your family, work experience, and personal interests.
Part 2 – In this part, you will be given a topic. You will get a minute to take notes on the topic for this section. And in the next two minutes, you will have to speak about the same.
Part 3 – This part includes a more detailed discussion on the topic with the examiner. It takes around 4-5 minutes to complete.
- Create An Impactful First Impression
A good first impression stays! So, it is essential to put your confident foot forward. If you show confidence in your body language, it will surely impact your answers.
Also, being respectful towards the examiner and maintaining good eye contact helps you be more open. This, in turn, helps you answer more naturally, and you will not sound monotonous.
- Show That You Are Interested
Since this is a face-to-face communicative session, you need to be more careful. Because if your expression and stature show disinterest, the examiner will instantly sense it.
Showing interest in the topic will affect your presentation. Try to show you are naturally interested because acting interested will impact negatively.
- Explain Your View Points
Since you are given a very limited time to express yourself, you need to plan to use that time efficiently.
Leaving your answer on a cliff-hanger is not appreciated in the IELTS speaking test. Although there is no word limit in the speaking test, answering simply in one word or a single sentence is inappropriate.
- Pause At Necessary Points
This is necessary because you have just two minutes to address the topic and around 4-5 minutes to discuss the same. You can take brief pauses in-between to process the question.
You can use phrases like; “that’s an interesting question”, “I understand your point”, etc.
Don’ts
- Memorise Your Answer
In a speaking test like this, the examiner checks whether you are naturally fluent in speaking. If you try to memorise any question, especially in the first part, your answers will sound mechanical.
In addition to it, the examiner will understand that you have memorised and will not be able to judge your language skills accurately.
- Use Unfamiliar Words
You might want to sound smart using unfamiliar words while speaking. But it is better to stay safe and avoid using such words.
Instead, use your vocabulary which is relevant to the topic. This will enhance your piece along with proving your language capability.
- Worry About Your Accent
You need not worry about your accent while appearing for the speaking test. As you will be communicating with a human and not an AI, you can be comfortable using your natural accent.
Rather, practice intonation and fluency, which will help you perform better.
- Divert From The Topic
Sometimes you may get a topic about which you know a lot of things. In such scenarios, you tend to divert from the topic.
Try to avoid these situations and stay focused on the given topic. Because diverting from the main topic will waste your time.
- Speak In A Monotone
When we are given a topic to speak about, our voice automatically becomes flat. And we speak in a monotone. This makes it difficult to express emotions.
Therefore it becomes necessary to add proper intonation, emphasise certain words, and pause at sections. Another thing you can add is hand gestures just to have a rhythm while speaking.
Bonus Tips
These are some of the additional tips to help you perform your best.
- Practice as much as possible.
- Upgrade your grammar usage.
- Smile, it helps in pronunciation.
- Don’t try to be a perfectionist.
- Use different sentence structures.
So, start practising for the IELTS speaking test by combining all these necessary tips and excel!