7 Tips to Ace the Speaking Portion of the IELTS Academic Exam

Speaking is one of four skills tested on the IELTS Academic exam, each aimed at evaluating your English language proficiency. Here, you will be assessed on four separate criteria: 

‍

• Fluency and cohesion
• The breadth of your vocabulary
• Grammar
• Pronunciation 

‍

While it can sound overwhelming, we are here to help you navigate your way to success. This paper will be conducted as a face-to-face interview with an IELTS examiner, and is divided into three parts: an introductory conversation, a short speech, and a discussion related to your speech topic. The exam will last anywhere from 11-14 minutes. Examiners are very precise with timing, any may interrupt your answers abruptly. Do not be alarmed if this happens! This is only to make sure you are able to be evaluated in each section. 

‍

To excel in this section and achieve a high band score, adequate preparation is essential. Here are 7 things to keep in mind to help you ace your exam.

‍

1. Familiarise yourself with the format 

Understanding the format of the speaking paper is the first thing you should revise. Familiarise yourself with each of the three sections, and seek out sample questions to gauge what will be asked of you. Remember that there are specific question styles for each section, so you should use official IELTS resources to support your revision.

‍

2. Develop your fluency and coherence 

Practise speaking fluently and coherently by trying to express your ideas clearly and logically. Remember that fluency relates to your ability to speak without hesitation, so don’t hinder your score here by trying to use words you aren’t familiar with. You should also work on connecting your ideas through conjunctions or with linking words. 

‍

3. Expand your vocabulary 

Your lexicon is an entire area that is marked on the speaking portion, so it is essential that you build up a good vocabulary that you are confident using prior to the exam. Focus on learning synonyms, expressions, and phrasal verbs to add variety to your speech. Be sure to practise using these words in conversation regularly so they flow naturally and become integrated into your active vocabulary!

‍

4. Improve pronunciation and Intonation 

Pronunciation and intonation relate to your coherence grade, specifically your clarity. You should pay attention to word stress, sentence rhythm, and intonation patterns. You can practise this by exposing yourself to more English content, such as TV shows, radio, podcasts, as well as reading aloud and speaking with native speakers. 

‍

5. Practise active listening  

You can build your listening skills by listening to English in a variety of ways. You can do this by playing podcasts, watching the news, listening to the radio, watching English youtube videos, and more.  After watching a video or listening to a podcast, try and summarise what you heard, and express your opinion on what you just listened to. Having strong listening skills is vital to ensure that you are answering questions appropriately.

‍

6. Be confident and assertive  

Fluency is directly tied to confidence, and therefore means a better chance at scoring well on your IELTS exam. Try to approach each section with confidence, speak slowly and clearly, and do not waver in your opinion.  Remember that it is better to give more information than not enough, so try and support your answers with examples or explanations where needed. 

‍

7. Seek feedback and practise regularly  

Knowing where you need to improve is crucial to doing well, and you can achieve this by asking for support from teachers, tutors, or native speakers. You should practise speaking regularly by yourself and with others with the goal of building confidence and fluency. Tuition specifically can be invaluable to your revision, and provide you with mock-exam questions, as well as tailored feedback, to better prepare you for your exam.  If you think you or your child would benefit from individual tuition, reach out to us here for more information.

‍

By using these tips and study advice, as well as by practising speaking regularly, you can prepare yourself for your IELTS exam and maximise your chances of doing well. On the day of your exam, remember to stay calm, pay attention, and speak slowly and clearly.

‍

‍