IELTS Speaking: Ace your IELTS with Real-life Examples

It is natural to get nervous about the IELTS Speaking Test, as most of us have not been in English-speaking environments from a younger age. But, with proper guidance and scheduled preparation, you can definitely boost your confidence and excel in the IELTS Speaking test. Here are some practical tips and real-life examples to help you ace the IELTS Speaking Test.

Content:

Understand the Test Format

The first step towards success is to familiarize yourself with the IELTS Speaking Test format since it will help you set a realistic, hassle-free practice schedule, which is clearly a halfway success.

Real-live Example:

Imagine yourself sitting in front of an IELTS Speaking Examiner, asking all the easy personal questions, and from nowhere you are given a cue card that asks you to deliver a solid 2-minute speech on an unknown topic. How would you respond to it?

That is why we need to know what to expect on the Test Day than to blink for every question.

Boost your Vocabulary with Cock and Bull Stories

Building English Vocabulary will help you ace both IELTS Speaking and IELTS Writing Tests, which means this criterion, Vocabulary, demands double the time and effort. But, please don’t make it boring, for your brain cannot process all the mechanical means suggested back in the ’70s, starting from “Learn 5 new words every day”.

As we all know, it is hard to get rid of all the misconceptions about learning new English words. What would be a better start than to look for a great Book? Expanding Vocabulary through books, Stories, current affairs, and Cock and Bull Tales.

Increase your Listening Hours:

Do you know that many non-English speakers lose points just because they fail to listen to the questions? We get it. You are nervous, but that is not helping you get any better bands in the exam. Listen, if you want to improve your communication, if you plan to ace your IELTS Speaking Test, and if you care to talk in natural English, you need to complete at least a solid 240 hours.

240 may seem to be a big number, but in fact, it is easier to cross with captivating OTTs such as NETFLIX and the ever-growing Podcasts.

Practice Speaking Regularly

Not all can get the opportunity to talk with native speakers and advanced English users. Still, you can try it first with your friends and family. Booking a language partner would serve the purpose right, as you are not merely focusing on Spoken English.

Bear in mind that you have a clear, realistic goal to achieve. (If not, know your English level, and set a realistic goal first.)

Trace out the Flow in Speeches

Are you talking in English? Please don’t get me wrong, but this is the very first question that any ESL Learner needs to answer before even booking for the IELTS Test.

English is a rhythmic language full of Stress, Intonation, and Tone. It is okay if we all cannot speak BBC English; at least make it a point to trace out the flow of the speech.

Balance your Fluency and Accuracy

The IELTS Speaking Test is all about Balance. If you closely analyze the four IELTS Speaking criteria - English Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resources, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation- you can see that these marking criteria equally focused on analysing your English Fluency and Accuracy.

Focusing on Grammar and Pronunciation can help you stand out in the Speaking Test. But, do not go deep into Grammar if you plan for less time in IELTS preparation.

Don’t Go Relevant

Do not give relevant answers if you are not sure what the question is about. If you 'manage' to answer the questions, it will definitely affect coherence, and at worst…your fluency. You can simply ask the examiner to repeat the question if you are not sure what you hear about.

You may wonder whether to answer all the personal questions during the IELTS Speaking test. Well, the answer is no. You can ask for a change of question occasionally.

So, don’t go relevant. Give exact replies, and avoid repetition, hesitation, and notable pauses.

Better Confidence, Better Performance

It is quite normal to feel nervous during the test, but please do remember this – Better confidence always results in better performance. You can get better scores with preparation, practice, and more practice. There is nothing you could alter on the Test Day. So, why panic?

Go calm, and ace IELTS with valiant efforts.

Your IELTS band score showcases your English language skills and demonstrates your communication skills. So, make sure to invest time and effort in a regular practice that encapsulates all four IELTS Speaking Test Criteria - English Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resources, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation, based on which you will be awarded the due band score.

By KLS Team