It is no surprise that this causes immense anxiety in students, especially since the IELTS Speaking Section is administered as a face-to-face interview.

Want to know more about the IELTS test format in detail?Ìý
Download our “Definitive Guide To IELTS Academic” – A free eBook that covers every section in detail as well as scoring patterns & testing parameters!

But, before we dive into some important tricks & techniques to ace the Speaking Section, let’s understand some of the common challenges to watch out for.

Common Challenges In The IELTS Speaking Section

#1: Not knowing what to expect:

One of the gravest mistakes you can make is going to the test center not knowing what is coming. Before your test, make sure to thoroughly acquaint yourself with the test format and pattern by taking some practice tests, so that there are no nasty surprises on the exam day.

#2: Lacking confidence

The IELTS interviewers aren’t expecting you to be a brilliant orator: it’s more than enough if you talk as you normally would to a friend or colleague. That said, it is important to make good eye contact with the interviewer, smile every now and then, and talk politely and courteously.

#3: Giving yes/no answers

The objective of the IELTS is to test your English language fluency, so it is necessary that you answer at least at some length and do not simply give monosyllabic answers.

If you’re asked where you’re from, don’t simply reply with Coimbatore.

Instead, say something like “I’m from Coimbatore, which is one of the major cities in Tamil Nadu. It’s a wonderful place, with a lot to see and do.�

#4: Going off-topic

Many students, in the midst of their interview, lose sight of the question asked and tend to go off on a tangent. Talking more is not the same as talking correctly.

Remember, the interview questions are usually straightforward and simple, and don’t need more than a 3-4 sentence long answer.

#5: Remaining silent

Giving no answer is much worse than giving a poor one—again, remember that these questions are about you— there is nothing you don’t already know. If there’s a word or phrase in the question you don’t understand, it is perfectly OK to ask the interviewer to clarify it, but choosing to give no answer will be seriously detrimental to your overall score.

#6: Memorising answers

It is usually very easy to tell when a candidate has memorized his answers, and doing so is likely to reflect poorly on your scores since the interviewers are looking for spontaneity and ability to respond correctly and quickly.

#7: Wrong pronunciation

A native-like fluency is not expected of you, but it is important regardless to only use words whose pronunciations you are confident about; otherwise, choose a synonym you can actually pronounce.

#8: Repeating the same word

One of the things the IELTS seeks to examine is the breadth of your vocabulary, and using the same word over and over again will not win you any favours.

For instance: I found *xyz* experience very interesting because it put me in touch with interesting people and interesting ideas.

Phew! That’s a long list.

But now that you know what to watch out for, read this 7 Genius Tips To Speak Confidently and Correctly!Ìý

If you find any other difficulties with the IELTS Speaking Section, do comment and let us know. We’d be happy to help you solve it at the earliest!

The post IELTS Speaking Section: 8 Common Mistakes To Avoid For An 8 Band Score appeared first on 91Èȱ¬ Blog.

With more than one million test-takers every year, the IELTS measures the candidate’s command over the English language in order to judge whether he/she would be able to study or seek employment in an English-speaking country.

The test is administered in four components—Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The first three tasks are paper-based, while the fourth one is conducted in the form of an interview between the candidate and an IELTS professional.

Each of the four sections is scored on a scale of 1 (poor user) to 9 (expert user), with marks awarded for various parameters such as grammar, vocabulary, syntax etc.

Want to know more about the IELTS Test Format in detail?

Unsurprisingly, the Speaking component is also one which test-takers find the most daunting. They worry about their weak vocabulary, fluency and inability to speak confidently.

The first step towards overcoming that fear is to understand the test format in detail.

What exactly does the IELTS Speaking Section entail?

The IELTS Speaking test lasts anywhere between 11-14 minutes and is conducted in the form of an interview between you and an IELTS official. It consists of three main tasks, namely:

• Task 1: Introduction & Interview

The first part is an introduction where you will be asked general questions about you, your family, friends, school, occupation, hobbies, etc. ÌýThis usually lasts between 4-5 minutes.

• Task 2: Long Turn

In the second part, you will be given a TASK CARD with a specific topic on it.Ìý Based on the Task Card, you will be asked to speak for 2 minutes or so. You will be given 1 minute to prepare on that topic before you start speaking. ÌýThis section usually lasts 3-4 minutes. After speaking, the interviewer will ask you a couple of questions on your topic.

• Task 3: Discussion

In the third part, you and the interviewer will have an extended discussion on the topic you spoke about in the previous task, based on the task card, exchanging views, opinions, and ideas.

Example of an IELTS Speaking Section

Here’s an example of the IELTS speaking section as conducted by an 91Èȱ¬ IELTS SFA and an 91Èȱ¬Ìýstudent.

What are the benefits of a high IELTS Speaking score?

Of course,Ìýhaving a good test score is always an advantage, but does having a high IELTS Speaking score have a specific advantage?

YES, DEFINITELY!

Having a high IELTS score helps you in many ways, beyond securing a top admit in USA, Canada, Australia etc:

• Opens up new academic and professional avenues:ÌýPotential employers and universities are convinced about your ability to fluently converse in English.
• Ease of immigration:ÌýIn countries like Canada or Australia that follow a point-based immigration system, having a high IELTS score increases the number of points you have, thereby increasing your visa chances.
• Tutoring opportunities: In addition to boosting your employability, a high IELTS Speaking score will also allow you to be an English tutor for those aspiring to take the IELTS themselves.
• Scholarships and funding opportunities increase.
• TA/RA opportunities:ÌýThe unicorn of the academic world, graduate teaching/research assistantship jobs are highly sought after because they both add to your experience and help you out financially. Because the positions are so much in demand, it always helps to have a high IELTS score, since it proves your ability to speak English fluently and handle a diverse group of students.

Sounds great, right?

If you’re thinking about preparing for IELTS, read our blog post on 6 Tips To Speak Confidently & Score High!

If you have any questions regarding the IELTS Speaking Section, feel free to shoot us a comment below and we’ll get back to you!

The post What is the format of the IELTS Speaking Section? appeared first on 91Èȱ¬ Blog.