Preparation Tips for IELTS Speaking

Preparation Tips for IELTS Speaking (Part 1)

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Written by IELTS Mentor

IELTS Speaking test is a 10-15 minute interview or conversation between a candidate and an examiner. The Speaking test is the final section of the IELTS Test.

According to the official handbook of the IELTS, the Speaking test has five phases which are as follows:

1 Introduction
The examiner and candidate introduce themselves. The candidate is made to feel comfortable and encouraged to talk briefly about his or her life, home, work and interests.

2 Extended discourse
The candidate is encouraged to speak at length about some familiar topic, which is either of general interest or of relevance to his or her culture, place of living, or country of origin .This stage involves explanation, description or narration.

3 Excitation
The candidate is given a task card (also called cue card) with some information on it and is encouraged to take the initiative by asking questions either to elicit information or to solve a problem tasks are based on 'information gap' type activities.The cue card may contain a topic and some hints and the candidate is expected to talk about the topic for about 1-2 minutes without any pause.

4 Speculation and attitudes
The candidate is encouraged to talk about future plans and the proposed course of study Alternatively, the examiner may choose to return to a topic raised earlier.

5 Conclusion
The interview is concluded.

Phase 1—Introduction
You should:
• state clearly your name and candidate number into the microphone for identification purposes.
• ask what you should call the examiner if he or she doesn't tell you.

Phase 2—About Yourself
During this stage of the test, the examiner will try to find out as much as possible about you as a person.

Remember:
The more information you give at this point, the easier it will be for the examiner to hold a conversation, and the more impressed be or she will be with your fluency. Therefore, don't give one-word answers such as 'yes' or 'no' .

Phase 3—Asking Questions
In this phase the examiner will give you a task card You have to ask questions based on the card's information to find out about the situation from the examiner, who is playing a role.

The task card the examiner gives you looks something like this...

Sample Task : Describe an interesting historic place.

You should say:
-- What it is?
-- Where it is located?
-- What you can see there now and explain why this place is interesting?

[ You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

or, Sample Task : Repairing your computer.

Your computer is broken. Your examiner works in a computer shop. He/she has looked at the computer and is ready to tell you about the problem.

Find out about:
• the problem
• the possible cause of the problem
• the time needed for repairs
• parts that need to be ordered
• the cost of repairs
• the guarantee
You will have some time to read your task card and then you should begin asking questions.

REMEMBER:
-- you can ask questions other than the ones indicated on the card the examiner is playing a role and you should stick to the topic on the card.
-- you are being assessed and not the examiner, so you should do most of the talking.

 Having a partner to prepare for the IELTS Speaking module is a great idea. So try to work with a partner to prepare for the IELTS speaking test.