Before I started taking IELTS test, I realized that candidates like me who took and excelled in the test had some things in common. They don’t complicate things. Sometimes, the simple things in life are what make a huge difference. That, I believe, was their mantra in facing the examiner and whole skill tests. As this principle applies to other parts of the test, so does it apply to the speaking test. I often advise my own students to see the speaking test has an avenue to chit chat with their own friend or colleague at work. Yet, many want more than that tip. Truly, there are more strategies to passing the speaking test. So, let me give you all of them right now!…
Before I started taking IELTS test, I realized that candidates like me who took and excelled in the test had some things in common. They don’t complicate things. Sometimes, the simple things in life are what make a huge difference. That, I believe, was their mantra in facing the examiner and whole skill tests. As this principle applies to other parts of the test, so does it apply to the speaking test. I often advise my own students to see the speaking test has an avenue to chit chat with their own friend or colleague at work. Yet, many want more than that tip. Truly, there are more strategies to passing the speaking test. So, let me give you all of them right now!
1. Talk with Confidence
I can’t overemphasize the power of using confidence. Many times, when candidates employ man-like confidence in speaking with the examiner, it assists the face-off conversations that are initiated by them. Candidates form a kind of safety net around their shyness or fear using confidence. I have seen a lot of introverts who take the speaking test and become totally different people on the test day after our preparation classes which help them get their desired band 8.0, 8.5 and even 9.0 scores.
2. Manage Fun Conversations
When you are in front of the examiner, try to relate with him or her like a close friend or colleague. Try to instigate a kind of friendly atmosphere that develops a keen interest and intimate relationship between you both. Make the examiner your friend and not your foe. Don’t hate or feel a sense of bias to him or her. Rather, behave in a way that will win you the heart and liking of the examiner. Talk with respect but above that enjoy yourself while talking with the examiner as you would with your own family members or friends.3. Practice makes Perfect
As you may have already predicted, there is no substitute for practice. You cannot ace the exam if you fail to practice. During your practice sessions, endeavor to learn all you need to know about the 4 criteria you would be assessed with during your speaking test which are:
Fluency and coherence
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy
Pronunciation
Not preparing yourself using these parameters may affect your overall scores in the IELTS speaking test. Apart from just practicing study materials and past questions, engage yourself with a skillful friend or English coach to brush up your speaking skill prior to the exam day. You are better off speaking and getting corrected when you make mistakes than reading through tips.
4. Don’t Memorize Answers
It will not help you when you try to learn some answers by heart that you come across when preparing for the test. Examiners are trained to spot these kinds of words, phrases and sentences. Many candidates get low grades due to this mischief. I suggest you talk more from your own knowledge and experiences about the topics you are being asked and pick ideas from your own repertoire of abilities and aptitudes. It would help a great deal when the examiners are trying to assess how well you know the English language and grade your proficiency level in respect to their own assessment criteria.5. Work on Your Weaknesses
Every bilingual individual will always have a few or more areas in their learnt language skills that need improvements. Trust me; there are a lot of areas that can be improved on if you are just objective enough to notice them during your preparation sessions. You might need to work on your grammatical structures, pronunciation, and use of words (simple not even complex) or linking words used while talking. You might have taken IELTS before and want to take it again, try to visit your profile on the IELTS website and see your result page in which they would always write underneath your test scores ways to improve your present level in the language skills.
6. Avoid using Big or Tricky Words
When it comes to the IELTS speaking test, you are better off speaking to communicate rather than to impress. Speak the way that the examiner understands every word you say. Do not attempt to impress with complicated or unfamiliar vocabularies. Most students who do this even end up employing words that they are not used to which lead them to the improper usages of the words which in turn lead to low marks. Be clear, use simple words and elongate your answers.7. Elaborate on Your Answers
Avoid using only short responses like Yes or No. Anytime you give a “yes” or “no” answer to the examiner make sure to provide a little more detail. Try to explain at least one point of what you were asked. Give more contents following these replies. Though, I often advice students to use other similar replies in place of Yes or No like; surely, definitely, not at all, absolutely, etc.
8. Avoid the Accent Trap
Don’t fall into the trap of copying the accent of the British, American or Australian citizens. As a test taker, the organizers of the IELTS test know that you are not native speakers of their language and they have made the test examiners to know about this and access only your competence in the language not your accent. Use a clear accent that is devoid of ambiguity and own it. Speak more confidently with your accent imbibing clear pronunciation of words with stress and sentences with intonations than copying other people’s own.9. Don’t Rush Yourself
You will never be awarded good marks if you are used to speaking too fast. Relax and talk naturally. Students who speak too fast tend to do so because they are scared of the examiner or the test itself and that is why test examiners are trained to calm candidates down and try to make them feel calm before undergoing the test with them. You can use brief pauses before answering questions, just don’t let it exceed about 10-15 seconds so that the examiners don’t think that you do not have any idea of the questions being asked. You can use some escape phrases like;
That’s a good point
That’s an interesting question
Let me think about that for a minute
Let me see
I have never thought about that, but…, etc
10. Speak with the Examiner
Avoid speaking to the recording equipment during the spoken part of the IELTS. Make sure to address the examiner directly by making eye contact as you speak. This shows that you have mastery of the English language and are willing to express yourself well. Moreover, this practice also gives you the confidence required to give and uphold your points when the examiner questions and tries to interrogate you. Resist the urge to look aware when being questioned; it adds unnecessary fear and anxiety to you for the test.11. Talk Clearly and Audibly
Never speak with the examiner in an inaudible manner. If you can’t be heard, you won’t be assessed and that will lead to you not getting good points for your proficiency. Try as much as possible to speak very clearly, though not in a loud offensive voice but moderately with your examiner. When answering questions, make it a point of duty to use your clear voice and participate in the discussion in a way that you are very well heard and understood.
12. Ask for Clarifications if Needed
As it is being explained in the IELTS format document, the test will be conducted in an interview manner. Thus, you will be asked questions by the examiner. Likewise, in situations when you do not understand what the examiner is asking or talking about, you can and would not be penalized for seeking for clarifications by asking the examiner to rephrase a question or repeat it altogether. You are a candidate and the examiner is there for you. If you do not get fairly treated, then the examiner has not done his or her job well. Use your testing rights to help you pass the test.13. Be Joyful and Emotional
The test is not a rigid one. Also, the examiners, in most cases, are trained to be welcoming and jovial with the candidates. So, try to be happy around them. Make use of sad or happy emotions to convey the message you are trying to pass across depending on if the situation warrants it. When you talk about a party you enjoyed, for instance, smiling as you answer the question related to the experience can add more confidence to you and in turn make you speak more which lead you to getting more points in your favor.
14. Be Orderly
Don’t talk in a way by which the examiner finds it difficult to follow your speech direction. Don’t mingle all your points together that it makes it hard to distinguish agreement from contradiction or addition from opposition. You can use linking words like; firstly, however, finally, in addition, nevertheless, so much so, though, conclusively, whenever, perhaps, although, furthermore, maybe, sometimes, nonetheless, etc.15. Don’t Worry about Mistakes
It is sometimes inevitable to make mistakes when talking even with your friends, not to talk of an examiner during an English test like this. So, when you eventually make one, do not dwell so much on it. Rather, attempt to correct yourself as easily as possible. And, if you can’t, forget about it and move on with your discourse. You will not lose points for making few mistakes, it is only when you make it distort your conversation with the examiner can it lead to reduction of your points.
Extra – Put God First
Lastly, the grace of God will help you if you follow these tips. I have met with candidates that claim to have used these principles but didn’t get their desired scores. Tests and examinations are mostly challenging for many students. Yet, these principles work when you follow them but favor being on your side also has a role to play. Many bloggers, coaches and takers out there forget the part of the Divine in this kind of issue. Put God first before even all these principles and see Him help you beyond bounds. It is never by your power but by that of the Almighty.Our Own Contributions
At A.O.S Academy, we are keen to making you excel in the IELTS speaking test. We have online coaches that take you through the very basics of the English language down to the very complex aspects of the IELTS test. Enroll in any of our language programs and preparatory classes to perfect your English, prepare for IELTS or even TOEFL today and successfully excel in the test once and for all. Best wishes.
You Want More?
For more tips to pass other skill tests of the IELTS, kindly click on any of the following links:
Skimming, Scanning and Studying in IELTS Reading
11 Strategies of Listening to Audios During Practice of IELTS and TEF Canada Tests
3+ Tips on How to Speak with IELTS, TEF Examiners Spontaneously
Five Strategies to Adopt while Listening to Audios for IELTS and TEF Canada Tests
5 Bad Habits Ruining your IELTS Practice for 8.0+ band score
It is never too much information when it comes to test preparation. Digest all the techniques in this article and all the other ones listed in this aspect of the blog and you are assured of success in the test. I am expecting your testimonials if you find these useful. You can send them to our contact on Whatsapp via +2348107714449 or email address through admin@aosacademy.com.