In this week's blog we are looking at the IELTS Speaking test, and we have listed some tips below to help you improve your performance. It's a good idea to look up some practice test tips while you are preparing for the test and to watch some example videos on Youtube. Before the test, practise speaking as often as you can and make sure that you can talk for two minutes on a topic. For a good score it's important to answer each question fully but, do not try to learn answers for the test. Studying all aspects of English including pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar will help improve your IELTS score. Here are some other tips to help you prepare:
What is the layout of the IELTS speaking test?
The interview has three separate parts and is divided up as follows:
Part 1 (4-5 minutes)
The examiner will ask you questions about familiar topic (e.g. hobbies, likes and dislikes, daily routine).
Part 2 (3-4 minutes)
The examiner will give you a handout showing a topic and some suggestions on it. You need to talk about the topic for 1-2 minutes. You have one minute to write notes and prepare before you begin. The examiner may ask you some follow-up questions.
Part 3 (4-5 minutes)
The examiner will ask you more detailed and more abstract questions linked to the topic in part 2.
How is the speaking test assessed?
The examiner will listen carefully to your answers and will assess your speaking according to the following criteria:
Fluency and coherence - Do you speak fluently and are you easy to understand? Do you link your ideas together?
Lexical resource - Can you use a wide range of vocabulary accurately and the effectively? Can you explain your ideas even if you do not know particular words? Can you use or attempt to use higher-level vocabulary correctly?
Grammatical range and accuracy - Can you use a wide range of grammatical structures rather than repeating basic structures? Do you often make grammatical mistakes?
Pronunciation - Is your spoken language clear and easily understood? Do you use stress and intonation to add extra meaning? Do you use stress word stress accurately?
Now for some tips!
Speaking Test Part 1
Arrive early to the test so you are not in a hurry and stressed. Give yourself time to relax at the test centre. It's a good idea to visit the test centre a few days before the test, so you know where to go on the day of the test.
Eye contact with the examiner is important, so make good eye contact from the minute you enter the room. Speak and answer questions in a polite and friendly way. Body language is an important part of communicating so be aware of hand gestures or how you are sitting.
Eye contact with the examiner is important, so make good eye contact from the minute you enter the room. Speak and answer questions in a polite and friendly way. Body language is an important part of communicating so be aware of hand gestures or how you are sitting.
The speaking test should be more like a natural conversation between two people. If you learn chunks of language or give a prepared speech, the examiner will know and interrupt you to ask you a different question.
Good communication skills also includes good listening skills. Listen to the examiner's questions so that you can answer correctly. For example, listen for what tenses the questions are in and answer in the correct tense. If you are asked a yes/no question, be sure to answer with yes or no and then give your reason by using linking words like 'because'. Don't just say yes or no only.
Speaking Test Part 2
Your notes are a reference only, so only look at notes briefly. Don’t read directly from your notes and keep eye contact with the examiner.
If you run out of ideas after one minute, look at your notes, or look at the task in the booklet again.
When you are making your notes, write notes. Do not write full sentences. It is a good opportunity to put down as much vocabulary you can think of for the topic. It is a good idea to link your vocabulary to your ideas. Make sure you can read your notes easily, so when you quickly look down they are easy to see. Practice note-making before the exam so you can create a system that helps you read notes when you look down very fast.
Speaking Test Part 3
Listen carefully to the examiner’s questions so you know how to answer them. If you don't understand a question, don't be shy about asking the examiner to repeat the question again.
In each part of the test, it is very important to answer all of the questions as fully as possible. Full answers will help improve your score, so expand on your answers as much as you can.
It is important to have your own opinion. Try to read newspapers and watch the news to keep up with current issues. Your opinion is valid, but it's important that you can explain or support you opinion.
Don’t be afraid to disagree with the opinions of the examiner. The examiner is assessing your language - not your opinions. The test is simply an opportunity for you to show your language skills, and your ability to express your ideas.
Reference: 2014, Cullen, French and Jakeman. The Official Cambridge Guide for IELTS for Academic and General Training, Cambridge University Press and UCLES
No comments:
Post a Comment
We would love you to share. Please comment here.