The Speaking Test
- Carry on speaking
- Learn some short phrases which you can use to sound natural
- Don't speak too quickly or too slowly
- Use a range of vocabulary
Carry on Speaking
The IELTS interview is 11 - 14 minutes long. This is your opportunity to show how much English you know - be confident and be prepared to talk a lot. In today's newsletter, we will give you suggestions for Part 1 of the Speaking Test - in this part of the test, you will be asked questions about yourself.
Tip:
Always offer longer answers if possible - if you say something short, add a reason:
Question: What is your favourite food?
I enjoy eating sushi because it tastes great and it is really good for my health.
......to make your answer longer.
Tip:
When you here a question think of other questions (what? when? why? how? who with?)
Question: Do you often go on trips abroad?
Yes, I do. I love travelling..um, well...I usually go abroad during the summer because I love the warm weather. Actually, I usually enjoy travelling with my two best friends.
{The candidate makes the answer longer by considering other questions connect to the one which was asked}
Tip:
If you have an idea, but it is too complicated for you to say in good English, change to a simpler idea. You don't need to have amazing ideas, but you should continue without stopping for more than a few seconds. It may be easier to do this if you say something more simple. Show the listener the things you can say well, not the things you can't talk about.
Tip:
As well as giving longer answers, it is important to speak without periods of silence, while thinking about what to say and how to say it.
Example in Part 1:
Question: Why do you think e-mailing is so popular in Thailand?
Lower level response:
I think people like e-mail because.....................they................can contact..........many of their friends..........easily and quickly..............and................send lots..........of information.......to them.
{the words here are not bad, but there are too many gaps where the speaker is staying silent. You should find ways to keep talking.}
Learn some short phrases which you can use to sound natural
Better response:
Well, you know, I think people like e-mail because , err, well, they, in fact, can contact err many of their friends, umm, easily and quickly yer and alsoooo send lots of umm information to them.
{This says the same thing, but the speaker uses words to fill the gaps while he/she is speaking - this is natural in English]
Common 'filler' words:
Umm Well You know Errr Sooo And Ahh Like
Right OK Basically Actually To be honest
