- The IELTS Speaking Test
IELTS SPEAKING
The IELTS speaking test is one of the four sections of the IELTS test, which is designed to assess the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in English through a face-to-face interview with a certified IELTS examiner. The test consists of three parts, which are as follows:
Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes)
The examiner will introduce themselves and ask the candidate to provide some basic personal information, such as their name, where they are from, and what they do. The examiner will then ask the candidate a series of general questions about topics such as their family, work, hobbies, and interests.
Part 2: Long Turn (3-4 minutes)
The candidate will be given a task card with a topic and prompts. They will have one minute to prepare their response, and then will be asked to speak for up to two minutes on the given topic. The examiner will then ask one or two follow-up questions to further explore the topic.
Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)
The examiner will ask the candidate to discuss a more abstract or complex topic related to the Part 2 topic. The candidate will be expected to express and justify their opinions, speculate about future possibilities, and evaluate different viewpoints. The discussion may involve more abstract concepts such as ethics, culture, and society.
In all three parts of the speaking test, the examiner will be assessing the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in English, including their ability to use appropriate grammar and vocabulary, their fluency, pronunciation, and coherence:
How is the IELTS Speaking Test assessed?
The IELTS speaking test is assessed by a certified IELTS examiner who uses a set of criteria to evaluate the candidate’s performance. The assessment criteria for the speaking test are broken down into four categories:
1. Fluency and coherence: This criterion assesses the candidate’s ability to speak fluently and coherently, without hesitating too much or making long pauses. The examiner will look at the candidate’s ability to organize their thoughts and ideas in a logical way, using appropriate linking words and phrases to connect different ideas.
2. Lexical resource: This criterion assesses the candidate’s ability to use a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately. The examiner will look at the candidate’s ability to use synonyms, idiomatic expressions, and collocations to convey precise meaning, as well as their ability to use more complex vocabulary when discussing abstract or academic topics
3. Grammatical range and accuracy: This criterion assesses the candidate’s ability to use a range of grammatical structures accurately and appropriately. The examiner will look at the candidate’s ability to use different tenses, conditional sentences, and complex sentence structures, as well as their ability to use grammatical structures correctly.
4. Pronunciation: This criterion assesses the candidate’s ability to pronounce English words clearly and accurately, using appropriate stress, intonation, and rhythm. The examiner will look at the candidate’s ability to produce sounds that are easy to understand, as well as their ability to use English accents and variations in tone and pitch to convey different meanings.
Each of these four categories is given a score of 0-9, and the scores are then combined to give an overall band score for the speaking test. The band score ranges from 0 to 9, with 9 being the highest possible score. The band score is used by universities, employers, and immigration authorities to determine the candidate’s English language proficiency.
Speaking Templates
We provide our IELTS students with proven templates for achieving any targeted band scores. Through our considerable experience, we have realized that speaking templates and strategies play a magnificent role in helping students improve their scores.
Using a template in answering IELTS speaking questions can have several advantages, including:
1. Structure: A template provides a clear structure for your answer, which can help you organize your thoughts and ideas. This can make it easier for you to communicate your answer clearly and coherently.
2. Time management: IELTS speaking tests are timed, and using a template can help you manage your time more effectively. By following a set structure, you can ensure that you cover all the necessary points within the given time frame.
3. Consistency: Using a template can help you maintain consistency in your answers. This can be particularly helpful if you are nervous or if you tend to ramble or get off-topic during the speaking test.
4. Confidence: Having a template to follow can help boost your confidence during the speaking test. By knowing exactly what you need to say and how to say it, you can feel more prepared and less anxious about the test.
5. Practice: Using a template can also help you practice your speaking skills more effectively. By using the same structure for different questions, you can become more familiar with the types of questions that are commonly asked in the IELTS speaking test and develop your ability to respond to them.
- Frequently Asked Questions
The IELTS Speaking test typically lasts around 11-14 minutes.
You should bring a valid passport or national ID card that you used to register for the test. The test center will provide all necessary materials.
No, you are not allowed to use a dictionary or any other reference materials during the test.
While it’s best to minimize the use of fillers, occasional use is unlikely to significantly impact your score. Focus on clear and coherent responses instead.
Yes, it’s absolutely fine to ask the examiner to repeat or clarify a question if you need further clarification. This shows your willingness to communicate effectively.
The IELTS Speaking test is scored based on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Each of these criteria is equally weighted.
Yes, you are encouraged to express your own opinions and ideas. The test assesses your ability to communicate effectively, not your agreement with the examiner’s views.
Part 2 topics can vary, but they often involve describing a person, place, event, object, or experience that is personally significant or memorable.
There is no specific dress code, but it’s advisable to dress neatly and comfortably.
No, you are not allowed to bring any prepared notes or answers to the test. Your responses should be spontaneous.
