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IELTS Podcast

Pass IELTS with expert help.

IELTS Speaking

Here you will find a wealth of information about the IELTS Speaking test as well as tutorials to help you prepare for your test.

The IELTS speaking test consists of three parts:

IELTS Speaking Part One (4-5 minutes)

In the first section of the speaking test, the examiner will introduce him/herself and check your identity for the IELTS exam. Examiners are required to follow a script throughout the interview to help ensure consistency across all IELTS speaking tests.

In Part One, the examiner will usually start off by asking you straightforward questions about where you live or what you do – so it is definitely a good idea to be ready to talk about these topics. He / She will then move on to asking questions about familiar subjects such as family, shopping, eating out or what you do in your free time. There is no set number of questions.

IELTS Speaking Part Two (3-4 minutes)

In this section of the test, you will be asked to give a short talk using a cue card. 

You will have one minute to think about the prompts and prepare what you’re going to say. You will then be expected to speak for 1-2 minutes. When the time is up, the examiner will ask another question or two to wrap up this stage of the test.

IELTS Speaking Part Three (4-5 minutes)

The last part of the test involves a discussion. The examiner will ask you open-ended questions related to the topic from Part Two and you will be expected to give extended answers. As with Part One, there is no set number of questions.

How is the test assessed?

The IELTS speaking test is assessed according to the following criteria:

  • Fluency and coherence
  • Lexical resource
  • Grammatical range and accuracy
  • Pronunciation

Each of these areas contributes 25% to your overall band score for the IELTS speaking test.

Detailed information about the band descriptors can be found in this tutorial.

In order to achieve a Band 6 score in the speaking test for IELTS test, you will need to show that you:

  • are willing to speak at length
  • have a wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics at length
  • use a mix of simple and complex structures
  • use a range of pronunciation features

 

If it’s a Band 8 score you’re after, you will need to:

  • speak fluently with only occasional repetition or self-correction
  • use a wide vocabulary resource readily and flexibly
  • use a wide range of structures flexibly
  • use a wide range of pronunciation features

 

Do you know which areas you need to work on? 

If not, find out by taking a mock speaking test, which we offer as part of our ‘IELTS Speaking Confidence Course’

Once you know which areas to focus on, follow the links below to help you improve your performance in each of these areas:

Take a look at some useful resources to help you prepare and pass your  IELTS exam :

How to Teach IELTS Speaking Part 1 (Volume 2)

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When you have to prepare your students for the IELTS exam, you’re up for a task that is far from easy, especially when it comes to the Speaking section. In this tutorial we intend to help you navigate the daunting task of teaching your exam candidates what the Speaking exam is like and how to […]

How to Teach IELTS Speaking Part 1

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In this tutorial you will learn: How to approach teaching IELTS Speaking overall and Part 1, in particular. This will help you to teach about the IELTS Speaking exam because: You will learn about the main challenges and purposes of the IELTS Speaking exam. You will see real activities that you can practise with your […]

Sample Answers: Festivals and Traditions

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Sample Answers: Festivals and Traditions In this tutorial we dive into special topic specific vocabulary for the IELTS Speaking part two test.  Not only do we offer sample answers and generic idiomatic expressions you can incorporate into your speaking exam, we also highlight a few phrasal verbs.  We also share how you can upgrade certain […]

Using Complex Sentences in Your Speaking

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In this tutorial, you will find out more about : what is meant by ‘a complex sentence’ the importance of incorporating complex sentences in the IELTS speaking test the importance of focusing on natural use of language The speaking test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training and it always involves […]