Candidates must remember that the #IELTS#Speaking test is just a platform to demonstrate your whole range of #English
speaking skills.
Parts 1 and 2 happen to be in a Question-Answer format.
However, candidates need to be ready at every instance to show their high range of English fluency and keep in mind that the IELTS graders evaluate your English, not your opinions in any case.
Really, by the time Part 3 happens, the IELTS grader knows 2/3 of your score.
Most of the scoring takes place in Parts 1 and 2, and candidates must perform at their strongest.
Indeed, from the beginning, candidates need to convince the IELTS graders of 2 things:
Whether you plan to take the General or Academic IELTS exam, don't miss these 14 essential tips to boost your score in the Listening Section.
While it is my experience, students do quite well in IELTS Listening, don't forget the test graders are strict on spelling.
And one of the most important things you can do to prepare for the exam is to develop a steady reading habit to improve your grammar and build your vocabulary for success on the exam!
Professor Winn, author of the
englishlanguagetestprep.com
blog, is a CELTA-certified English
instructor for more than 13 years, helping candidates to achieve their target
scores on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams.
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Increasing your vocabulary without doubt is the best move you can make when you need a high score on the IELTS or TOEFL exam.
Most folks probably think of big fancy words to impress the exam graders.
While "less common vocabulary," as the IELTS Rubric indicates, is important, so are two other types of vocabulary also mentioned (the same goes for the TOEFL):
collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs
topical (education, environment, etc.)
Sometimes candidates are not aware just what "build vocabulary" means for these two exams.
The following shows you how to build better word power.
How to Build Vocabulary
There are two ways to build your word power - 1) directly and 2) indirectly.
Directly
Research shows that studying directly - using a text - leads to greater reading comprehension - one of the key benefits of increasing your word power for the exams.
One way is study a vocabulary text.
Given my over 12 years of experience assisting candidates to get their higher exam scores, I wrote my own vocabulary book with full definitions, examples, and sample sentences.
The terms are grouped by themes which research also shows makes it easier for acquisition of keywords.
A second way is to study electronic flash cards that you or others make like using the website - https://quizlet.com/.
Here are 10 words to get you started that I created flashcards:
A third way is to watch vocabulary videos on YouTube:
Save time and build your lexicon in the shortest time possible!
Indirectly
Here is the best - but slowest - way to increase your lexicon - READING.
Incidentally, reading widely and daily is a good way to be better prepared for the exam.
A good source is the USA Today newspaper. Notice the topics in the top menu. You can read about the general news, sports, finances, money, and life.
However, it is important to develop the following two habits to help you.
FIRST: Be sure to devote a notebook to your new terms you encounter while reading.
Top Tip: Don't stop reading every time you find a new word and look it up in the dictionary or thesaurus. Instead, try to guess the meaning of the word by its context.
This minimizes disruptions and allow you to enjoy your reading experience as well as builds understanding by making you concentrate and try to guess the meaning.
Here is video for setting up your vocabulary notebook.
SECOND: Get Friendly with a Dictionary and Thesaurus
Another Top Tip: Write two words before the target word and two or three words after so you can capture its context. Don't just write the target word because you need the context when you look up your words in a dictionary or thesaurus.
After you have finished your reading selection, review your terms.
One of the best dictionaries for US English is Merriam-Webster.
One of the best dictionaries for British English is Cambridge.
One of the best thesauri that I've recently discovered is Power Thesaurus.
Collocation, Idioms, and Phrasal Verbs
Candidates often have to study hard to master enough collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs (CIP) to remember for the exams.
CIP is especially important for the Speaking Sections.
Remember - only use collocations on the Writing Sections because idioms and phrasal verbs are too informal for the writing tasks.
The IELTS Academic exam is a challenge for candidates who hope to attend their favorite university, get a promotion at the office, win a scholarship, or get a high score for their visa.
Two Common Mistakes
Unfortunately, candidates often commit two avoidable mistakes.
First, in the speaking and writing sections, full responses are not given.
Second, sometimes test takers speak too much in Speaking Part 2.
Let's look at each of these now.
Lack of Full Response
A "full response" on the IELTS exam includes a reason and example.
It is not sufficient to say (or write):
Children should learn a second language.
WHY should children learn a foreign language?
Children should learn a second language because bilinguals are smarter.
IELTS graders need to know "the why" - always.
Now, let's go a step further.
A second way to give a complete response is to remember the formula - Reason + Example.
Children should learn a second language because bilinguals are smarter. For example, research shows youngsters are better able to think and read in their own language after studying another.
Speaking Too Much
Much advice from many corners around the Internet is to "keep talking" during the IELTS Speaking test.
That is true - to a point. A very fine point.
Fluency is not just a steady stream of words without stopping.
For example, you do not want any long hesitations in your speech or the IELTS grader may believe you are "stuck" - a loss for words, for whatever reason.
In Part One, the "Interview," you should limit your responses to two (2) sentences. The IELTS grader has only 4 minutes and 20 seconds to complete that section of eight or more questions!
In Part Two, the "Long Turn," you know the fixed time limit of speaking is two (2) minutes. The "keep talking" advice could be dangerous here!
I grade students who "keep talking" and I find they do not use discourse markers, forget about structuring their responses, and rarely use collocations, idioms, phrasal verbs, or less common vocabulary.
In Part Three, the "Discussion," the "keep talking" advice more valid. You have more time to speak! It is important to modify and measure your speech on the IELTS Speaking exam.
Conclusion
Show the IELTS grader how well you can use the English language to express yourself.
Remember: IELTS Speaking section is for you to "show" your range of speaking skills - not how much you can speak.
