Lesson 5 – Tips on Speaking

Today we are going to consider the Speaking test

This should be the most fun part of the test as you get to interact directly but many people are very nervous and afraid of it. It is really important to build confidence and the best way of doing this is by making sure your English is great and also spending time practising your speaking with other people.

Let’s begin again with some tips and advice:

Many people worry about the speaking part of the test but I think this is the part where you can most demonstrate your ability in English and use your language to get a good score.

 

1. You can only become fluent in English if you speak – so get as much speaking practice as you can. Nobody is going to come up to you and help you out so you have to find places to use your English and people to speak with – it’s really up to you!!
2. There are no set answers in the speaking. As long as you give a sensible and well-rounded answer to the questions you should do well.
3. You can prepare for this part of the test by looking at past topics and deciding what you would say if you got this topic.
4. Part 1 is usually about things in your life and is designed so that everybody (from band 1 to band 9) can answer – these questions should not be a problem for bands 6 upwards BUT you still need to provide good, full answers. You need to give a good impression of your English right from the very beginning.
5. Make sure that you listen carefully to the questions. If you answer what you think you’ve heard instead of the actual question, the examiner may think you have misunderstood and ask you to begin again – he or she will think you have a problem with understanding – so be very careful to listen well.
6. Part two is your chance to shine! Here you have the stage and can use this chance to really show your language to its best effect. The examiner will not be expecting any particular answer just something interesting and well expressed.
7. The questions in Part 2 are there to help you organise your thoughts and give a good fluent talk. Use them for this but don’t worry if you forget one or can’t answer one just say what you can about the topic.
8. Try to use a wide range of vocabulary and be as spontaneous as you can.
9. Use the one minute to collect your ideas and make notes – make them clear so that they will be useful to you.
10. Use as much of the time you have to speak – the more the examiner hears the more they have to make their band decision
11. In Part 3 the questions will ask for your opinion, your ability to speak about the past and future and your ability to imagine a situation.
12. Give full and rounded answers like before but don’t ramble on, then examiner wants a chance to ask more questions

Key skills to develop:

 

• Spontaneity – try speaking for a minute on random topics without preparation. Choose a topic by looking around you or keep some topics on bits of paper in a glass & pick one every now and then – imagine you are giving a short talk on this topic

 

• Vocabulary is important so try the above exercise and consciously make sure you use a range of different words. You need to get these into your active memory so practising them will help with this

 

• Record yourself speaking, then listen and be critical. Record again and again until you are happy with the result

 

• Find some examples of the speaking test on Youtube. Evaluate these for the language, fluency and interest (it’s good to make it interesting). Pick out words and phrases that you think are good and want to use yourself

 

• Finally, make sure your pronunciation is clear. You’ll hear this if you record yourself. Are there any sounds, intonation or stress issues? If so then try and practise.  Listen to yourself and then re-record and try to improve it – be critical of your speaking, think about how you can make it sound better.

 Arrange speaking sessions in your IELTS Pod – you can practise with one another there.

 

Things to do for speaking:

Find people to speak to

• they don’t have to be native speakers, any opportunity to speak is good
• when you listen pay attention to the language that is used (do this sparingly as when you listen for language you will miss the information) write down some good words and phrases and try to use them yourself soon

Write down questions you think the examiner might ask

• choose a topic and instead of thinking of YOUR ideas think of questions to ask
• think of the answers you will give to these questions
• if you have a speaking buddy practice these with them

Get a speaking buddy – use your IELTS Pod for this

• leave a message in the Step by Step network inviting people to connect with you – why not leave your Skype name and then get started as soon as possible with your speaking practice

 

Don’t forget, if there is anything you don’t understand or can’t find send a message via Contact us

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Let’s have a go at some speaking exercises

 

Here are some fun ideas for practising speaking

 

http://rliberni.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/10-goofy-ways-to-practise-speaking-skills/

 

Here are some examples of Part 2 for you to listen to and think about

 

http://www.gapfillers.co.uk/default.aspx?atk=7157

 

Don’t forget, if there is anything you don’t understand or can’t find send a message via Contact us

Now you’re done!

(Tomorrow we will be thinking about the examiner – I used to be one so I’m something of an expert here and it’s not all scary!!)

Good luck and let’s make great progress with IELTS!