Tip 1: Don’t memorize the answers
Do not memorize the answers, especially in the first part of the IELTS speaking test. This is because learned language does not give the examiner an accurate measure of your English language skills. Also, you can quickly notice if you have memorized your answers, which can influence the final score.
Tip 2: Don’t use complex words
You may want to impress the examiner with complex words on your speaking test. However, avoid using terms you are not familiar with to be safe.
Keep in mind that there is a higher chance of making mistakes by mispronouncing words or using them in the wrong context. This may affect the final score for that section.
It would help if you used a wide variety of vocabulary relevant to your topic. For this, make vocabulary lists or mind maps to help you learn more words and phrases related to these subject areas.
Tip 3: Use a variety of grammatical structures
One thing to keep in mind is that IELTS examiners assess your speaking skills based on the following criteria:
- Fluency and consistency
- lexical resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Pronunciation
Therefore, try to use a variety of grammatical structures using complex and simple sentences to express what you want to say. Know your own mistakes and practice speaking with friends in English, or record yourself to detect what your mistakes are.
Also, your ability to use different grammatical structures accurately is tested, so you must practice talking about the past, present, and future using the correct verb tenses.
Tip 4: Don’t worry about your accent
With a face-to-face speaking test, the IELTS examiner understands a wide range of accents, so they will be able to know what you say, unlike an artificial intelligence machine.
If you can communicate well, then you have nothing to worry about. However, keep in mind the sounds that you have difficulty with and make sure you use the correct accent and intonation,
Tip 5: Pause to think
There is nothing wrong with pausing briefly to think about what to say, as we all do it to process questions. You can use phrases that give you time to consider during the speaking test, phrases like:
- that’s an interesting question
- I’ve never thought about that, but…
- Let me see
- That’s a good point
- That’s a tricky question, but I’ll try to answer it.
- Well, some people say that’s the case. However, I believe…
- let me think about that for a minute
Tip 6: Avoid the use of fillers
Speak with confidence and avoid using filler words. Although we usually use fillers when we don’t know what to say, this shows that you can’t access the correct language or ideas, so it’s essential to avoid them and use the phrases we gave you in Tip 5.
Avoid the following fillers:
- Like
- You know
- Umm …
- Ah…
- Ehh
- Good
- Yes…
Tip 7: Expand on your answers.
Try to answer the examiner’s questions fully. Expand on your answers and don’t wait for them to ask you a question because when your responses are short, it shows that you can’t talk in detail about a topic.
Tip 8: Smiling helps pronunciation
Smiling can help calm your nerves, which in turn helps your pronunciation. Be sure to enunciate clearly, opening your mouth wide enough for the sounds to come out clearly.
When we smile, our mouth widens, and our voice is more friendly. Using clear diction and tone will show the examiner that you can use various pronunciation features.
Tip 9: Do not speak in a monotone
Sometimes, we produce a dull, monotonous sound with slight variation when we speak. This makes it more difficult to express what you are saying and makes it more difficult for the listener to identify which parts of your message are essential.
Emphasizing certain words and pausing sections of your speech can make the conversation with the IELTS examiner more interesting. In addition, when we stress certain words, it is easier to compare and contrast ideas by emphasizing keywords.
Also, it increases the flow of the conversation, so remember:
- Don’t speak in a monotone
- Vary accent and intonation to add emphasis
- Use your hands to gesture and help pace the conversation.
Tip 10: Practice common IELTS topics
The second part of the IELTS Speaking Test requires speaking on a given topic for approximately 2 minutes. Again, we recommend that you practice common IELTS topics with friends, family, or colleagues to improve and learn the vocabulary associated with each case.
Common topics that you can practice for the speaking test include:
- tourism and travel
- Education
- Transport
- Environment
- Family life
- sport and recreation
- Crime and Punishment
- The Internet
- Advertising and retail
How did you like these tips? Start putting them into practice, and you will see that you can improve your pronunciation and reduce your nerves.
In addition, a proper study plan before the exam guarantees a better score and more excellent university opportunities if you seek to carry out your studies abroad.
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