IELTS provides an excellent opportunity for those who wish to study abroad. However, lower scores can affect the dreams of moving abroad. A good command of the English language is always helpful, but many fail to demonstrate their ability. In simple words, we can say that they cannot express themselves. While many people have command over spoken language, some individuals fail to express themselves in writing. It is natural to make mistakes in any exam, and so is the case with the IELTS Speaking test. Here, we will discuss the common mistakes that candidates make, and will also outline how you can learn from those mistakes to score even better.
Understanding the Format of the IELTS Speaking Test
Mode of Conduct: Usually physical, i.e. face-to-face with an interviewer, and
sometimes digitally via webcam
Time Duration: 11 – 15 Minutes
Test Structure: The IELTS Speaking is divided into three parts:
- Part 1 – Introductory Questions
This section comprises questions related to your personal life like your education, career, family, likes/dislikes, opinions, preferences, and basic know-how about various areas of life. It can last for about 4 – 5 minutes. - Part 2 – Cue Card
In the second part, you will be given a particular topic and one minute to prepare for the same. Once you have prepared the brief outline, you will be asked to speak for about 2 minutes on the same topic. When you end, the examiner may ask you one or two questions about the same topic.
- Part 3 – Follow-up Questions
In this final part, the examiner may ask you for more elaborate answers on questions related to the cue card, in a more general or abstract way. This section may take another 4 – 6 minutes.
Key Skills Your IELTS Speaking will be assessed on
The foremost aspect when dealing with IELTS Speaking is Task Response. This means you have addressed the examiner’s questions appropriately. Apart from this, you are tested on below four criteria:
Fluency & Coherence
Fluency – the ability to speak effortlessly at a good speed without lots of breaks, long pauses and repetition
Coherence – logical sequencing of ideas in an organized way
Vocabulary
Using not-so-common vocabulary is requisite to score well in the test. Prefer the usage of less complicated but advanced vocabulary, and need not be too complex. Using incorrect vocabulary or applying it without context will affect your band score.
Grammar
Grammar is the foundation of any language. The IELTS Speaking is designed to assess your ability to use a variety of grammatical structures. A range of tenses brings a lot of life to the language and overall Speaking Test.
Pronunciation
For ease of understanding the responses delivered, pronunciation is the most important aspect. If the examiner cannot understand your answers, it will be difficult for them to assess your language skills.
Most Common Mistakes to Avoid in the IELTS Speaking Test
Of all the four modules, IELTS Speaking is the most stressful one as it requires facing the examiner in person. Not only do you have the fear of being judged, but you also tend to get surrounded by nervous energy assuming the higher language proficiency of the examiner. However, with a proper preparation strategy, you can avoid common mistakes that candidates often tend to make.
Not Dressing Up Appropriately
Your outer appearance has a lot of influence on the examiner. Although it is not a criterion for your assessment, the visual appeal does subtly stir the psyche. On the other hand, dressing appropriately boosts your confidence. The performance bar naturally rises when you look your best!
Getting Too Nervous
It is obvious to get nervous during a test, but when it becomes overwhelming, it does affect your scores in multiple ways. Tendency to speak low, lack of confidence, not being able to understand the question appropriately, delayed responses, and a lot of other disturbances can severely impact your ability to communicate effectively. Take a deep breath and speak as calmly as you can.
Being too Spontaneous
Timely response to the questions plays a crucial role in reflecting your comprehensive ability, but it is always advisable to consciously understand the question first. Sometimes being over-conscious draws you off the track when you merely pick the keywords from the question and begin speaking without understanding the context. So follow the question word by word and give a fitting response.
Unpleasant Silence
A brief pause to compose your answers is alright. Silences or long pauses before or between answers do not go well with the examiner. It is more likely to affect your assessment of fluency and coherence. Hence, practicing standard responses to initiate your answers can buy you time to come up with more organized answers.
Memorizing Answers
A lot of IELTS Coaching Centers train students to Parroting the questions. This most of the time backfires as examiners are highly trained and experienced to spot the memorized answers. This will only push examiners to ask you more difficult questions in order to establish your real ability in English. So, developing a habit of delivering natural responses will surely work in your favour.
Artificial Accent
A lot of candidates assume that since the IELTS test is a foreign language test, it is good to pick an accent to show-off your language ability. But, it is a big NO! Examiners understand that being a non-native English speaker, your origin will have a heavy influence on your accent. Thus, faking an accent will seriously impact your pronunciation and accuracy, as well as scores.
Flaunting your Vocabulary and Grammatical Structures
Candidates often are at risk of losing their command over sentences when they tend to use heavy vocabulary and complex grammar sentences to impress the examiner. In addition, excessive usage of cohesive devices sometimes leads to inaccuracy. Kindly understand that there is a thin line difference between a meaningful composition and a pointless structure.
Speaking More, or Less
Speaking too little will limit your chance to showcase your language ability. On the other hand, excessive speaking does not guarantee a better score. Understanding the Speaking test pattern is important. Part 1: Two to Four Sentences, Part 2: the timeline is defined, Part 3: Elaborate answers with four to six sentences.
Overall, understanding the DON’Ts along with the DOs can truly help you to deliver your IELTS Speaking more constructively and achieve a better score.
We hope you found this article helpful in your journey to prepare for the IELTS. The tips and strategies we shared are designed to make your test-taking experience smoother and more effective. Remember, mastering time management and pacing can make a big difference in your IELTS score.
If you liked what you read here, be sure to check out our other articles. We’ve got a bunch of resources and guides that can help you get even more prepared for the IELTS. From subject-specific strategies to general study tips, we