IELTS Speaking Tips to Get 8 Bands in Speaking Section

Introduction to IELTS Speaking Section

The IELTS speaking section is the fourth section of the IELTS exam. In this, an examiner takes your interview and asks you questions for 11 to 14 minutes. It can be either in person or on a video call. This section is taken in three different parts. It means there are 3 different tasks in which you have to prove your English speaking skills. Each task is explained below:

Part 1: Introduction

This task lasts for 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the questions and the length of your answers. You will be asked around 12 questions revolving around 3 everyday topics. These can relate to your home, family, hobbies, travel, and others. Besides, you can also get generic topics around emotions, your personal experiences, and even colors.

Also Read: Common Challenges in the IELTS Speaking Section

Part 2: IELTS Cue Card

This task lasts for 3 to 4 minutes. In this one, the examiner will give you a topic on a card on which you will have to speak. This card is called an IELTS speaking cue card. Under this main topic, there will be some bullet points to help you prepare for the topic and get an idea of what details they expect in your answer. You must aim to speak for 2 minutes. Furthermore, the examiner will ask you follow-up questions after that.

Also Read: Latest IELTS Speaking Topics Part 1,2, and 3

Part 3: Discussion

Lastly, the third task takes 4 to 5 minutes to complete. The examiner chooses a generic topic to discuss with you. They ask you 5 to 6 questions based on the topic of part 2 only. In this task, you can give detailed answers and discuss these issues further with further questions from the examiner.

This was all about the IELTS speaking section. Now, it is time for you to learn how to ace it in one go! The section below has 10 tips for IELTS speaking, which you can follow.

Top 10 Speaking Tips and Tricks

Here are 10 IELTS speaking tips and tricks that you can learn to clear the speaking sub-test:

1. Never Try to Memorize Answers
2. Avoid Using Unfamiliar Words
3. Use Various Grammatical Structures
4. Take Your Time to Think
5. Learn Time Management
6. Don’t Murmur Fillers
7. Work on Your Pronunciation
8. Use Voice Modulation
9. Do a Warm-up on the Test Day
10. Stay Consistent in Practicing

The above pointers are explained below one by one:

1. Never Try to Memorize Answers

Firstly, while preparing for IELTS speaking, you will come across several topics to practice. However, as a test taker, you must remember that memorizing the answers to these will not help you. Moreover, it will be a waste of time to engage in that. It is because the examiner assesses you based on your language skills. Thus, if you speak a memorized answer, it will be easily detectable. Hence, this is one of the most crucial speaking tips for IELTS one can get!

2. Avoid Using Unfamiliar Words

It is crucial to learn good vocabulary for IELTS. However, if you are not sure of certain words and their meanings, it is better not to use them in the IELTS exam. This will prevent the wrong usage of words and the deduction of marks by the examiner. Using big and fancy words while speaking in the wrong context can affect the overall scoring of your speaking section.

3. Use Various Grammatical Structures

As an IELTS test taker, you must be versatile with the complexity and simplicity of your phrases. Moreover, being assessed based on fluency, cohesion, and pronunciation, it is better to use a wide range of structures. Thus, you should practice speaking using different tenses.

4. Take Your Time to Think

Furthermore, you will get a limited time to think about framing an answer. Moreover, there will be no extra time for you to form an answer. Thus, you might lose points while thinking while answering. Thus, learn to use the given time wisely with regular practice through an IELTS speaking mock test. Also, do not rush and utilize the entire 1 minute to frame and structure your answer.

5. Learn Time Management

To use the above tip, you will have to practice time management. Thus, you will have to divide the given time into parts to dedicate them to different steps. Moreover, you will have a pen and paper for rough work and noting keywords. Furthermore, you can use your time wisely and divide it into the following:

1. The content you want to speak in your native language
2. The English elaboration of the content
3. Any creative synonyms for IELTS that you can use?

6. Don’t Murmur Fillers

Fillers are words you speak involuntarily when you are short of words and need time to remember. For example, umm, aa. Usually, this is done by students to show fluency. However, unfortunately, this is exactly how students lose their fluency, confidence, and marks as well. Instead of these, you can pause and then speak, as it is very natural even for native speakers. Fluency does not mean speaking fast, remember!

7. Work on Your Pronunciation

Instead of brushing up on an American or British accent, you should focus on the clear and correct pronunciation of words. It is because an accent does not add to your marks. However, clear and correct pronunciation is one of the skills assessed in this section. You can practice for this with tongue twisters available online!

8. Use Voice Modulation

Using a monotonous tone is not advisable. It can look like a flat-toned speech without expression. This is one of the most effective IELTS speaking tips by experts. Thus, it would be wise to stress or emphasize a few words through your tone. This will make it interesting for you, too. Moreover, using hand gestures can help you build confidence.

9. Do a Warm Up on the Test Day

Another great piece of advice would be to warm up on the day of the exam. This can be a short exercise of 10 minutes that can help you boost confidence and get on your heels for the test! Generally, 8 to 10 minutes is enough for a consistently practicing student to get familiar with the environment.

10. Stay Consistent in Practice

To sum up, these IELTS speaking tips can only work if you implement them. Moreover, speaking, reading, listening, and writing in English outside of IELTS practice, along with an ielts speaking practice test, is crucial too. This will help you get familiar with this global language and also add to your communication skills overseas. If you are looking for expert advice, Gradding can give you experienced trainers for the same! It does not matter whether you are going there to study or work; you can approach them to get customized study plans. What matters is your personality and ideas. Thus, follow these IELTS speaking test tips to clear your IELTS exam in one go!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which Is the Toughest Section in the IELTS Exam?

Usually, students face problems in the speaking section more than in any other section. It is because they have to face a stranger asking them questions on familiar subjects. Thus, experts advise students to get used to interactions with strangers in English. This will help boost confidence and make them comfortable in front of the examiner.

Q2. How Should I Use Idioms and Phrasal Verbs in IELTS Speaking?

Learning phrasal verbs can help you remember the prepositions that go only with certain verbs. Moreover, idioms can also make the conversations more meaningful and expressive. However, using too many of them can be a problem. Also, you should only use those idioms that are clear to you in terms of meaning.

Q3. Is It Important to Have a British Accent for the IELTS Exam?

No, having a certain accent will not gain you any marks. Neither will it make you lose any of them. However, the ability to pronounce words correctly and have clarity and fluency in speech is assessed in the IELTS speaking section. Thus, you can avoid focusing on acquiring an accent to clear your IELTS speaking.

Q4. Is Using Words Such as “Wanna” or “Gonna” Accepted in IELTS Speaking?

Yes, using contractions is fine while speaking. Moreover, it can also add points in pronunciation. You can use sentences like “ I am gonna travel to XYZ, before starting university. However, it is not formal English; hence, you must abstain from using it in the IELTS writing section.

Q5. What If I Misunderstand the Cue Card?

It is okay if you misunderstand the cue card or its theme. However, the best you can do in this situation is not stop speaking. Every sentence you speak will count and will increase your score. Moreover, you can avoid this situation if you read the cue card at least twice before answering and follow the IELTS speaking tips from your IELTS coach.