Having a conversation in an alternate language that is not your primary one is tricky. Learning an additional language, such as English, takes more work than developing the original one. This is because you lack exposure to it constantly and don’t have any cultural or linguistic context in which to use it.
Furthermore, speaking puts you beneath actual time constraints as compared with the act of reading and writing, where one does typically have a chance to reflect and interpret. However, studying abroad generally requires English language proficiency, for which IELTS is a worldwide-accepted test. It has four (4) sections in general and one major section is the Speaking Test.
To assist our readers and learners on how to improve language abilities to gain a higher band score in IELTS, we have created a detailed article with relevant tips below.
Overview of the IELTS Speaking Test
Each section of the IELTS—Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking—has its own test. IELTS has two subtests, namely Academic and General Training. Both programs have identical assessments for speaking and listening, but distinct exams for reading and writing.
The speaking portion of the IELTS test consists of an in-person conversation with a single examiner. It continues for a period of 11–14 minutes and is divided into three (3) sections. The assessment is documented, however, the examiner evaluates how well you performed throughout the assessment. He then makes a decision on your grade and band score shortly after the session is over.
There are four factors that contribute to your overall grade. Band scores range from 1 to 9, which shows how each criterion ranks there.
- Clarity and organization in speaking are measured by “Fluency and Coherence” (FC).
- Checking how well you do on vocabulary tests is called “Lexical Resource” (LR).
- Accurate and realistic sounding “Pronunciation” (P).
- GRA stands for “Grammatical Range and Accuracy.”
10 Tips and Techniques to Increase Your Score on IELTS Speaking Test
IELTS is a general criterion to gain admission to international universities and otherwise. Here are a few useful tips to increase your score on the IELTS Speaking test.
Tip 1: Develop a Richer Vocabulary
Twenty-five percent of your score on the Speaking and Writing sections of the IELTS test is based on your knowledge of vocabulary. You need to be familiar with a wide range of terms to do well on these assessments. Expanding your knowledge of subject-specific terminology is one of the most essential components of growing your word power.
Tip 2: Evaluate Your Capabilities and Weaknesses
Learning a new language is difficult since it might be challenging to identify your personal mistakes. On the other hand, you’ll understand exactly where the gaps between your abilities lie in terms of linguistic competence.
Consider your performance in each of the four focus points, word articulation, grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation. It is unproductive to prepare for IELTS Speaking by giving equal weight to the skills you are fluent in and the ones that require improvement.
Avoid using equivalent phrases and expressions over and over again. Avoid long pauses and digressions. Maintain a balance between grammatical precision and fluidity.
Tip 3: Have Variation in Intonation
It’s common to talk with minimal inflection or variety, producing a monotonous voice. That makes it harder to communicate what you’re trying to mean and harder for the person listening to understand. Emphasizing particular phrases and stopping at significant points in your statement might make your IELTS test discussion compelling.
By emphasizing crucial terms, you can distinguish between topics more easily. This also facilitates smoother communication. Change your focus by changing your intonation. Talk less monotonously. Hand gestures add to the structure of the whole conversation.
Tip 4: Practice Pronunciation
It is possible to elevate the passing band score of IELTS by emphasizing the ability to pronounce new words correctly. Making even a little bit of progress can help you succeed. Examiners cannot evaluate your English proficiency if they are unable to comprehend the words you are uttering due to bad pronunciation.
The examiner’s ability to comprehend you and your command of standard English word pronunciation will determine your score. Be careful to study and perfect the correct pronunciation of any fresh words you learn.
Every reliable internet-based dictionary will have both a sound playback option to listen to the words and a phonetic translation where you can view exactly the way the term is voiced. It has been suggested that the Cambridge Online Dictionary be used.
Finding out what kind of mistakes you make most often while speaking your L1 can assist you concentrate your energy on those areas, There are several resources online that track frequent faults in their native dialect which can be improved with online audio dictionaries and by listening to podcasts and other audio channels. You can practice them while listening.
Tip 5: Don’t Use Unnecessary Fillers
Demonstrate your competence by avoiding the use of unnecessary filler words and repetition. Using fillers might seem like you are unable to come up with the proper words while under pressure, so it’s best to steer clear of them to the best of your abilities.
Use more meaningful phrases and practice them every day. Filler words such as “Like,” “You know,” “All right,” etc. should be avoided.
Tip 6: Enhance Your Responses
One of the most effective ways to raise your band score on the IELTS Speaking Test is to make an effort to respond to the test taker’s questions in complete detail. Avoid waiting for the assessor to ask you to elaborate; instead, explain it on your own accord. Your inability to provide a thorough discussion of a subject is reflected by the manner in which you briefly answer questions.
The examiner is trying to get you to justify your response and elaborate by asking you the reason you think in that particular manner. Try to elaborate your answers without using fillers and expanded vocabulary.
Tip 7: Avoid the Use of Jargon and Complex Phrases
On the Speaking portion of the IELTS test, you might like to show off your linguistic skills by using large, fancy terms. However, it is best to stay on the safe side and not use any unfamiliar terminology. Mispronunciation and incorrect word choice in the unfit context are more likely.
The total band score might be impacted by errors of judgment. Utilize the wide variety of terminologies you’re familiar with that would make sense for the subject at hand.
Tip 8: Be Confident
Always remember to stay confident during the assessment. While in the speaking test, staying nervous can make you fumble, cause you to mispronounce or make mistakes and drag down your overall band score. Staying confident in your ability through practice can boost your overall persona. It determines your competency to speak and act confidently in a challenging situation in a foreign country.
Tip 9: Master popular IELTS topics
The second part of the IELTS Speaking exam calls for a two-minute monologue on a predetermined subject. To become better and master the terminology for every topic for the IELTS test, rehearse with individuals you know such as friends and family to get better at the practical speaking ability.
The most prevalent topics for preparation for the Speaking exam include academics, the environment, vacations, hobbies, friends and family, and the world of technology.
Tip 10: Do a Self-recording
Last but not least, to improve your speaking skills for the IELTS exam, you should record yourself responding to sample test questions. Afterward, you can listen back to evaluate your degree of fluency, grammatical sophistication, and terminology used to make any corrections necessary.
IELTS has gained popularity due to its global acceptance and verified mode of testing with extensive assessment. It has become a vital admission criterion for the majority of international universities and educational institutes. Speaking section of IELTS is one of the most daunting tasks to gain a high score in.
We hope this article will aid you in excelling in the IELTS exam. Make sure to also check out our IELTS Page for more information on tips and other related articles!
