Lesson 47 – Speaking

By Berni | October 25, 2012
two cartoon people talking

 

  • And the final Test is Speaking!

     

    • fluency counts here

    • and so does spontaneity

 

 

Let’s begin with some tips and advice

 

  1. Try to feel the time allocated for each part – see if you can sense how long the whole test is, or 2 minutes for part 2.
  2. With a sense of timing you will know roughly how much you need to say.
  3. Think about appropriate answers to all parts – what are you going to say?
  4. Make sure your pronunciation is clear – are there any words that you find hard you pronounce or other people can’t understand – if so then practise these.
  5. Try to find as many opportunities as possible to speak.
  6. If you don’t use English every day then consider finding a speaking partner here on Gapfillers. I asked you all at the beginning if you wanted to share Skype names but only 2 people stepped forward – this is an opportunity there are people on this programme who could be a speaking partner.
  7. If you want to do this them either put a message in member home or tell me and I’ll get you together.
  8. The more you speak the better you will be in language ability and in confidence.
  9. Never memorise answers – it’s very obvious to the examiner.
  10. You will have a lot of language and the speaking is a place to try and show this off!

 

Key skills to develop:

 

Practise

 

  • Practise, practise, practise.

 

  • Find a speaking partner and discuss typical IELTS topics, also go through the test – one of you is the examiner the other the student – then swap over.

 

  • Try to make opportunities to use your English, join a book club, or an English club – if there isn’t one then why not start one yourself and invite other people to join you!!.

 

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

 

Now try some speaking

 

Look at the band descriptors for IELTS speaking.

 

https://www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org/ts/digitalAssets/114292_IELTS_Speaking_Band_Descriptors.pdf

 

Now watch these 5 IELTS speakers in a mock exam – using the descriptors try to evaluate the students’ performance and see what band you think they are.

 

Post your suggestions in the comments box (note previous suggestions went on the blog but this seems to be a better way). Or better still, discuss them in the study pod 🙂

 

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!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in IELTS Step by Step