IELTS Speaking Test – Some Must Do Tips for Better Score
All the formats of the IELTS Tests, both the Academic Test and the General Training Tests are known to be of the highest standards. The tests are accepted by 135 countries across the world, and around 2.5 million students and professionals appear for the test yearly. Obviously, while preparing for the tests, the candidates should follow some ‘basic DOs and DON’ts. Let’s first discuss the “dos” of the IELTS speaking test for both the ‘Academic and the General Training’ tests.
The IELTS Speaking Test pattern is same for both the formats and it is a bit tougher for the ‘Non-native English Speakers’. The basic “dos” for the candidates appearing for the IELTS Speaking Tests are:
- Do practice speaking a lot right from the day one of starting your preparation. In the speaking test the fluency of the candidate in ‘Spoken English’ is put to the ultimate test. The more practice you get, the better for you.
- Do present yourself at the test as a fluent speaker of ‘Good Quality English Language’. So, practice doesn’t mean speaking with anybody; you should practice speaking with someone who is really good at speaking English and has the right the knowledge of English grammar.
- Do prepare yourself through a focused practice. You must be aware of ‘What exactly is needed from you in the Speaking Test’ and practice accordingly. Before starting practice, you must be aware, that your knowledge of English grammar and your ability to construct correct and perfect meaningful sentences are at desired level.
- Do present yourself as one who is totally free from ‘Mother Tongue Bias’. Often it is found that non-native candidates can speak good English, but their accent is not free from ‘Mother Tongue Bias’. This is a highly negative point for any candidate and they should rectify this well ahead of the test.
- Do present yourself with a ‘Good and Rich Vocabulary’. The ‘Speaking Test’ is carried out in a way, where a candidate has to speak with a ‘Certified IELTS Examiner’ who not only checks the fluency, knowledge of English grammar and the English accent but also checks the ‘Richness of the Vocabulary’ of the candidate.
- Do present yourself as a ‘Spontaneous Speaker’ with no fumbling before the examiner. In spite of being a fluent speaker, due to lack of ‘mock test practice, often candidates are seen to fumble during the test. But, fumbling during the Test is counted as a highly negative point for a candidate. So, what to do if one gets stuck at some point? He should use “gap-fillers” like, ‘Well…. ‘ or ‘As we all know….’ or ‘Actually…. ‘ etc. However, gap fillers should be used very wisely and intelligently, keeping in mind the person you are talking to is the examiner; obviously some gap fillers such as, ‘Well as you know…’ or ‘Look sir/madam….’ or ‘You know… ‘ and some more are strictly not to be used.
- Do use formal language only – no colloquial. It is highly applicable for the ‘Native Speakers’ who have the habit of using some typical informal words frequently. But, that would have an adverse impact on the candidate’s score.
- Be a good listener. A candidate should not try to assume or guess a question. Often the examiners twist some common questions if a candidate does not let them finish asking a question, and as a result, they might not understand the actual question and hence deliver the wrong answer.
- Do ask the examiner if you miss or could not follow the question, but do it with due politeness.
- Do avoid asking the examiner to repeat the question; rather stay focused when he asks a question.
- Do find at least one practice partner for polishing your spoken English. But, chose them wisely. If you get to talk to one with an English medium background, it is surely better than having a dozen from non-English medium background. It may sound harsh, but its’ the hard truth.
- Do practice speaking in English over the phone, over Skype, etc. Shrug off any shyness; else, you won’t be able to converse well in English ever.
- Do think in English. This happens to be the major problem with the non-native English speakers; they first think in their mother tongue and then try to translate it into English, making them fumble almost certainly.
- Do try to answer in full and complete sentences avoiding yes/no type answers.
- Do give your opinions/examples or views if you are asked for or if it is absolutely necessary.
- Do avoid getting into argument with the examiner, even if you feel that he is wrong.
- Do rectify your answer if by chance you make a mistake in answering.
- Do speak slowly and distinctly, so that the examiner does not feel any problem understanding your pronunciation or your accent.
- Do use the weak sound and the strong sound of each and every word.
- Do prepare yourself for speaking in brief about your hobby or your favorite author or your favorite poet/novelist. If you are asked who is your favorite author, and your answer is ‘William Shakespeare’, you might be asked next: Name a few famous plays of Shakespeare and if you can’t answer that, you won’t get marked for that.
The purpose of the IELTS Speaking Test is not only to gauge the ability of a candidate to ‘Speak Fluently in English’, but also to carry out conversation with foreign English speaking people in different situations in day-to-day life. A working professional needs to talk or interact with foreign English speaking persons regularly on his job-related topics. Therefore, he must have the ability to discuss his job-related topics with fully functional English. Similarly, a student needs to talk to his teachers/professors and other students as well in clear and understandable English. Hence, the speaking test is conducted based on the usage in real life situations.
Originally posted 2017-09-03 11:41:25.