IELTS EXAM: IELTS Speaking Tips
Полезные советы для сдающих IELTS:
«IELTS Speaking Tips»
Let me start right off the bat: if you want to pass the IELTS Speaking module successfully, make English speaking an integral part of your life. Simple as it may sound, this advice, however, is a bit difficult to follow. While you can easily immerse yourselves in listening, reading or writing by using the internet, you’ll definitely need someone, be it a native or a native-level teacher of English, to talk to if you want to progress in speaking.
Some people might be surprised to learn that just watching BBC every day will never increase their fluency (which is, by the way, crucial for the IELTS Speaking band score).
You aren’t going to lift a heavy barbell without previous weightlifting training, are you?
The same is true for the English training which I usually compare with the sports training; both of these types of preparation require perseverance. You could start off speaking English with your friends, continue finding random foreigners for small talk purposes, and, eventually, you’ll wake up to the fact that you do need a native English person or at least a C2-level teacher of English to communicate in English on the regular basis.
Speaking clubs are OK, but I would suggest taking private lessons because you would like to have more feedback and attention from your teacher. Don’t shy away from speaking English in the street, at home, virtually everywhere; it really works. By doing all this you will gradually improve your English.
Secondly, don’t throw in the towel. It’s always difficult to kick off, but it’s a lame excuse to stop practicing English and surrender because it seems too difficult. English is much simpler than it might seem at first sight. English is not about grammar, it’s not about pronunciation, and it’s not about vocabulary. All these things are quite important, however, they don’t constitute English as it is.
Technically, English is just a means of communication. So, it’s only natural to use it for communication purposes. It’s simpler than Russian, and you’re going to realise it once you reach at least an upper-intermediate level. Take your time, and you will enjoy the fruits of your labours.
Some students might feel puzzled: ‘Is it enough to have a good command of English to succeed in IELTS Speaking?’
The answer would be: ‘Yes and no’. Of course, you will score 9.0 for IELTS Speaking if you are English, however, you need to know the ropes if you are Russian.
So, here is my short list of 5 practical tips to let you get a higher band score for Speaking.
1) Fluency is key.
Fluency is really unbeatable and second to none as far as IELTS Speaking is concerned. If you are a fluent speaker, you will definitely score at least 7.0.
2) Pronunciation matters.
Don’t believe IELTS examiners who claim that any pronunciation will do. If you have a thick Russian accent, you won’t be able to score 8.0.
3) Never memorise full answers.
Now take it serious: don’t memorise English topics or long phrases trying to impress the examiner. Examiners are all well-prepared to detect your learned-by-heart word combinations, and they will give you a lower band score for cheating (memorising phrases for IELTS equals to cheating). When I used memorised sentences several years ago, they gave me only 7.0 for IELTS Speaking (the exam took place in Petersburg, Russia), while I managed to reach the high of 8.5 (C2 level) for this very IELTS module in England last summer by avoiding memorised words and speaking easily and fluently. I think this fact speaks for itself.
4) Be as amiable and talkative as you could, try and be a good interlocutor.
IELTS examiners are no robots, they are human beings. Be kind and friendly during the whole exam. Don’t use slang or, God forbid, vulgar words. At the same time, don’t be too formal. You should sound informal, easy-going, and open. Listen to the examiner attentively, responding promptly and to the point. So, if you do your best, you’ll get the highest possible score.
5) Be yourselves.
Do you remember yourselves speaking Russian?
Do you remember how it feels using your own native language?
Ideally, you should sound the same while speaking English; speak it in the most natural way, I know you can do it, just go for it!