IELTS IELTS Speaking Speaking

English Language CentreEnglish Language CentreThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Test Format and TasksTest Format and Tasks

Format and TasksFormat and Tasks

Strategies and ExamplesStrategies and Examples

Further HelpFurther Help

ReferencesReferences

Questions Questions

Test FormatTest Format

Test FormatTest Format– 11 to 14minutes11 to 14minutes– One-to-one interviewOne-to-one interview– RecordedRecorded– Three PartsThree Parts

Part I – 4 to 5 minutes (Introduction & Part I – 4 to 5 minutes (Introduction & interview)interview)

Part II – 1 to 2 minutes (Mini-presentation)Part II – 1 to 2 minutes (Mini-presentation)

Part III – 3 to 5 minutes (Discussion)Part III – 3 to 5 minutes (Discussion)

Test Format and Tasks Test Format and Tasks Section One – Introduction & InterviewSection One – Introduction & Interview– Basic Introduction about yourself and some Basic Introduction about yourself and some

familiar topicsfamiliar topicsHomeHome

HometownHometown

FamilyFamily

JobJob

StudiesStudies

InterestsInterests

Other similar topicsOther similar topics

Test Format and Tasks – Part IITest Format and Tasks – Part IIPart II – Mini-presentation (3 – 4 mins.)Part II – Mini-presentation (3 – 4 mins.)– Talk for about one minute on a subject selecTalk for about one minute on a subject selec

ted by the examinerted by the examinerOne minute to prepare the talkOne minute to prepare the talkNotes allowed while preparing Notes allowed while preparing Prompts given to facilitate the contentPrompts given to facilitate the contentNo interruptions while delivering the talk No interruptions while delivering the talk

Test Format and Tasks – Part IIITest Format and Tasks – Part III

Part III – Discussion (3 – 5 minutes)Part III – Discussion (3 – 5 minutes)– Questions related to topic in Part II Questions related to topic in Part II – Giving opinionsGiving opinions– Extensive discussion on issues related to the Extensive discussion on issues related to the

topictopic– Ability to express abstract ideas and support Ability to express abstract ideas and support

opinions appropriatelyopinions appropriately

Test Format and Tasks: Test Format and Tasks: Assessment CriteriaAssessment Criteria

Effective communicationEffective communication– Fluency and CoherenceFluency and Coherence

Content - ideasContent - ideas

Delivery – paceDelivery – pace

Organisation – structureOrganisation – structure

– Vocabulary – range & accuracyVocabulary – range & accuracy– Grammar – range & accuracyGrammar – range & accuracy– Pronunciation – comprehensivenessPronunciation – comprehensiveness

Test Format and Tasks – Speech Test Format and Tasks – Speech FunctionsFunctions

Example of speech functionsExample of speech functions– Providing personal informationProviding personal information– Providing non-personal informationProviding non-personal information– Expressing opinionsExpressing opinions– ExplainingExplaining– SuggestingSuggesting– Justifying opinionsJustifying opinions– SpeculatingSpeculating

Test Format and Tasks – Speech Test Format and Tasks – Speech FunctionsFunctions

Example of speech functionsExample of speech functions– Expressing a preferenceExpressing a preference– Comparing Comparing – SummarisingSummarising– Conversation repairConversation repair– ContrastingContrasting– Narrating and paraphrasingNarrating and paraphrasing– AnalysingAnalysing

Example of Part I - InterviewExample of Part I - Interview

The examiner will The examiner will introduce him or herself introduce him or herself to you and ask you your to you and ask you your name. You will then be name. You will then be asked to tell your asked to tell your interests, studies or interests, studies or working life.working life.

Introduction and Interview - Introduction and Interview - speaking Task 1speaking Task 1

Example of Task – Part IIExample of Task – Part II

You will be given a topic to You will be given a topic to talk about for 1-2 minutes.talk about for 1-2 minutes.

SpeakingSpeaking Test – Individual Talk Test – Individual Talk

Describe a teacher who has greatly influenced you in your education. You should say:

•Where you met them

•What subject they taught

•What was special about them and explain why this person influence you so much

SpeakingSpeaking Test – Individual Talk Test – Individual Talk

Example of Task – Part IIIExample of Task – Part III

Modern society is often called Modern society is often called “materialistic”. Why do you think “materialistic”. Why do you think this is?this is?

What are the advantages and What are the advantages and disadvantages of commuting long disadvantages of commuting long distance to work?distance to work?

What is the role of advertising?What is the role of advertising?

How do you think the Internet will How do you think the Internet will affect buying patterns in the futureaffect buying patterns in the future

SpeakingSpeaking Test – Two-way Test – Two-way DiscussionDiscussion

Strategies – Test TipsStrategies – Test Tips

Be prepared to respond fully to questions askeBe prepared to respond fully to questions asked by examinerd by examinerGive rounded answers with appropriate linkinGive rounded answers with appropriate linking wordsg wordsDon’t waste time trying to write the whole talDon’t waste time trying to write the whole talkkUse time to jot some key ideas to prompt you Use time to jot some key ideas to prompt you while you are speakingwhile you are speakingPractise giving your talk with a clock for judginPractise giving your talk with a clock for judging how you spend your time g how you spend your time

Strategies – Test Tips for Strategies – Test Tips for Discussion SessionDiscussion Session

Producing a Reasoned ResponseProducing a Reasoned Response– Re-phrase the question in your own wordsRe-phrase the question in your own words– Decide if any key words raise new Decide if any key words raise new

questionsquestions– Do you have clear view on the questions?Do you have clear view on the questions?– Make sure you can give two sensible Make sure you can give two sensible

reasons to back your opinionsreasons to back your opinions

Further Help - SAPFurther Help - SAP

SAP – speaking Assistance Programme SAP – speaking Assistance Programme Core A 3/FCore A 3/F– Small group help from an ELC teacher with Small group help from an ELC teacher with

your speaking skillsyour speaking skills– SAP teachers will give you suggestions for iSAP teachers will give you suggestions for i

mproving your speaking. mproving your speaking. – More information at More information at

http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/sap/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/sap/

Further Help - CILLFurther Help - CILL

CILL – Centre for Independent CILL – Centre for Independent Language Learning Core A 3/FLanguage Learning Core A 3/F– Help from an ELC teacher with your Help from an ELC teacher with your

speaking, reading, speaking and listeningspeaking, reading, speaking and listening– CILL teachers can give you suggestions CILL teachers can give you suggestions

for improving your speaking. They will not for improving your speaking. They will not proof-readproof-read

– More information at More information at http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/ielts/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/ielts/

ReferencesReferences

You can find these books in CILL, Room You can find these books in CILL, Room AG305: AG305:

Cambridge Practice Tests for the Cambridge Practice Tests for the IELTS, Books 1, 2 & 3 (with CD-ROM IELTS, Books 1, 2 & 3 (with CD-ROM for listening tests) for listening tests)

Insight into IELTS - an IELTS Insight into IELTS - an IELTS preparation course preparation course

Useful websitesUseful websites

UGC Introductory site UGC Introductory site http://http://www.ugccepa.comwww.ugccepa.com

IELTS homepage IELTS homepage http://www.ielts.org/index.htmhttp://www.ielts.org/index.htm

ELC homepage ELC homepage http://elc.polyu.edu.hkhttp://elc.polyu.edu.hk

QuestionsQuestions

Please do not ask us (or any ELC Please do not ask us (or any ELC teacher) to predict what grade you teacher) to predict what grade you will get, as this is forbidden by the will get, as this is forbidden by the IELTS organisation.IELTS organisation.