IELTS Speaking Preparation 2024: Tips & Tricks, Format, Strategies

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a globally recognized assessment of English language proficiency, used by millions of people worldwide for study, work, and migration purposes. Among its four modules, the speaking test often evokes the most anxiety among test-takers. However, with the right IELTS speaking preparation tips and strategies, you can approach the IELTS speaking exam with confidence and achieve your desired score. In today's article, we will explore various tips and tricks to help you excel in the IELTS speaking test.

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This Story also Contains

1. IELTS speaking format 2024
2. IELTS Speaking Test - Band parameters
3. IELTS speaking band score descriptors
4. Idioms for IELTS speaking
5. IELTS speaking preparation tips
6. Top 10 IELTS speaking tips and tricks
7. IELTS exam preparation books
8. Some other important books for IELTS preparation
9. IELTS practice tests

Whether you do IELTS speaking preparation online or offline you surely need some IELTS speaking preparation tips and the way you manage IELTS speaking preparation time is going to help you the most in gaining a good band score. For this, you also need to understand the IELTS speaking format and practice the IELTS speaking questions.

IELTS speaking format 2024

The IELTS speaking module exam is conducted separately and the time duration is just about 11-15 minutes. If you register for a computer-based exam, you will have to go through the IELTS exam in the registered center via Zoom meeting or any other video call. However, it is now also observed the same process for students who register for a pen-paper exam. In short, you just need to excel in your communication skills and be ready for a generalized conversation with the examiner online or offline. Always remember that in the IELTS speaking exam, the examiner is never going to ask you difficult questions especially related to any particular academic context or the current affairs going around the world as this is just a language assessment exam and there is no check on the general knowledge you have of the world. This article can help the candidate to understand in depth about the most important IELTS Speaking aspects such as IELTS speaking preparation time, how to prepare for IELTS speaking and the IELTS speaking test format.

So, now let us analyze the IELTS Speaking test format:

1. Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes) -

The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself, your family, your studies, and your interests.

2. Part 2: Cue-Card Round (3-4 minutes) -

You will be given a topic card with a particular topic to talk about. You will have one minute to prepare and then speak about the topic for up to two minutes.

3. Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes) -

You will engage in a more in-depth discussion with the examiner related to the topic from Part 2. This part aims to assess your ability to express and justify opinions, analyze, and speculate.

IELTS Speaking Test - Band parameters

It is necessary for the IELTS speaking preparation candidates to know the band parameters so that you are able to assess the current level and also know the level of preparation you have to do to excel in the exam. It is really essential that you are aware of the various IELTS speaking criteria. There are four band parameters and all of them are discussed below:

• Fluency and coherence

-This shows the examiner how smoothly you can communicate, produce accurate information for
all that is asked, and also add linking words like however, furthermore, also, as a result, so, for
example…..

-You should not be taking long pauses or fumbling while speaking.

-You should maintain pace while communicating, that means you should neither be too fast nor too
slow.

• Lexical Resources

- Lexical resources are the vocabulary words you add while you speak. You should be well-versed in various topics of IELTS speaking so that you can communicate well.

-The addition of linking words like, therefore, nowadays, surprisingly will add value to your speaking.

-Addition of phrasal words such as, look into…. Will also add greater value to
your band score.

- You will get more bands if you are accurately able to use synonyms, for
example: instead of the word good, you may use fantastic, awesome, spectacular.

-You should use idioms or idiomatic expressions naturally and they should not look like you have
crammed them.

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

You should have basic clarity of IELTS grammar and you are expected to speak at the same level. However, you will be able to score high in case you are able to blend a mix of simple and complex sentences. You should stay focused on using adjectives and adverbs properly and accurately.

• Pronunciation

This is one aspect that you should seriously fix as it may destroy your band score, words with “e” sound are the most essential to look at. Pronunciation can be improved only with focused practice and consistency.

IELTS speaking band score descriptors

The IELTS speaking band score is essential for any candidate. This is an indicator of the candidate's English language abilities.

Idioms for IELTS speaking

While speaking, it is always advisable that you use at least one idiom and phrase. This can immediately catch the attention of the examiner and help you to secure a high IELTS scoring band score. Let us discuss 25 idioms and phrases that can enhance your IELTS speaking.

IELTS speaking preparation tips

How to prepare for IELTS speaking? This a major question raised by the IELTS Speaking section candidates. Now to tackle this, understanding and practicing IELTS Speaking tips is necessary. Let us discuss a few in detail.

• Never answer any question with just a one-word answer. Whatever you answer should be with a reason, the answer should strictly be in a sentence.

• You need to show the examiner that you are well-versed in English grammar, and vocabulary, can organize ideas, and also have good pronunciation.

• You must use synonyms and parallel expressions to paraphrase the question asked, for example: if the examiner asks; “What did you like to read as a child?”; Then you should answer- As a kid, I loved reading comic books or whatever you liked to read.

• Be confident in whatever you are answering, it's okay to create your own imaginative stories and speak out the answer, the examiner is not checking the reality but is just assessing your spoken skills.

• Develop the habit of speaking well, just focus and concentrate to practice effectively for 15 minutes daily and develop your vocabulary.

• Make a list of some generic topics like education, books, movies, music, family, friends, and practice to speak on the same.

• In your cue card round you should introduce and conclude the topic effectively.

• In case, you get stuck in between your speaking, take a pause for a second and speak again, avoid fumbling or using fillers like hmm, aaa

• The best way to succeed in the cue card round is to be organized.

• Learning the art of being hypothetical will help you a lot, at this time you will be dealing with modal verbs like would/should/could.

• Read the basic grammar structures and be sure of their usage.

Top 10 IELTS speaking tips and tricks

• The candidates must make sure to practice speaking English with friends, coworkers, and over the phone in the days before the Speaking test. To feel comfortable speaking English on exam day, the candidate should also think about recording themselves. They will have to always remember that they must practice speaking for the IELTS speaking section regularly.
• Similar to the writing section, there are no right or wrong answers in the Speaking test. The examiner will assess the candidates on how well they can express their ideas and opinions in good English. This skill can be improved by comprehensive practising of the IELTS speaking test samples.
• Consider the examiner to be a friend, if the candidate feels too nervous talking to them. This may help to ease the situation a bit.
• Try to refrain from using the same words present in the examiner's question. The candidate must try to express themselves clearly to the examiner in their own words. The candidates can refer to IELTS speaking sample questions to understand the possible types of questions that may be asked and this can help them to be better prepared beforehand.
• The candidates should try to talk intelligibly and at a relaxed pace. A lot of IELTS speaking examples practice is essential for developing this skill.
• Use the correct verb tense when answering questions in the Speaking test. This is essential because every aspect of grammar usage will also be noted down during the conversation with the examiner. The candidates must spend a good amount of time on IELTS speaking practice tests to improve themselves.
• It is better to use simple and commonly used vocabulary than complex vocabulary that a candidate is confused about. This may result in a lot of confusion and misunderstanding. They can also refer to IELTS exam speaking test samples to gain an idea of the language to be used.
• The candidate should also use the proper and appropriate tenses while speaking. Shifting between tenses is not encouraged and will affect the flow of information.
• The candidates must make an effort to respond completely and provide justification for their responses if needed.
• They can attend IELTS speaking practice online assessments to improve their overall IELTS speaking preparation.

IELTS exam preparation books

The IELTS exam preparation materials designed by Careers360 are designed to meet the needs of different proficiency levels (from beginner to advanced), allowing you to focus on areas where you need improvement.