IELTS speaking test

IELTS Speaking Format

Part 1 Introduction and Interview

Examiner introduces him/herself and checks your identity. Starts the recording.

The examiner asks you a few questions based on familiar topics such as your family/favourite restaurant etc..

4 - 5 minutes

Part 2 Individual long turn

The examiner asks you to speak for 1-2 minutes on a particular topic. You will get a card with a topic and some questions. You will have ONE minute to brainstorm,/ prepare. Use this time! Think of what you will say, how to organize your ideas; it’s just like an essay, think of the intro/body/conclusion.

3 - 4 minutes (includes 1 minute preparation time)

Part 3 Two-way discussion

The examiner will discuss with you in more detail some issues related to the topic in part 2. This is more at critical thinking level.

4 - 5 minutes

Part one You will have 3 to 4 minutes in this part. In

many ways it’s the easiest part of the IELTS test because it’s all about you! Where are you from? Tell me about your family? Where did you go to school? Do you have any pets? What’s you favourite restaurant?

Avoid short answers. Explain reasons and give descriptions.

Interview, Part One

Let’s talk about your home town or village.• What kind of place is it?

• What’s the most interesting part of your town/village?

• What kind of jobs do people in your town/village do?

• Would you say it is a good place to live? [Why?]

Part two You will be given a card with a topic. There

are some questions to help you form your ideas. You have ONE minute to prepare a short talk of 1-2 minutes. The examiner will NOT stop you once you start. It’s not a discussion, so don’t get upset if the examiner doesn’t say anything. S/he is NOT allowed!

You have one minute to prepare and then one - two minutes to talk.

Part two (cont.) The thing to remember is they can ask

anything to do with your daily life, from school to politics. Good examples are: books, films, traffic, education, elderly, technology, art, sport, religion, and travel.

ONE minute: Look at the questions on the card. Organize your ideas into a short talk.

If you don’t understand a word, ask for clarification.

Interview, Part Two

Describe a teacher who has significantly inspired you in your education.

You should say:• where you met them• what subject they taught• what was special about them

Explain why this person inspired you.

Part three

Discussion topics, this part is 4-5 minutes These questions are open topics that ask for your opinion. There

are many questions but based on how the discussion is going, you will be asked 2-3 only.

It’s similar to Task 2 Writing- argumentative essay. You need to present your opinion and be able to support it.

You can pause and think for a few seconds before you start your answer. You can even say ”let me think…hmm….…..” !

The topic will be based on the topic of part two. The next example would follow the example in part 2, where you talked about a teacher;

Interview, Part ThreeDevelopments in education

- (describe) changes over the last ten years in your country- (compare) your experience of education with that of your parents or grandparents- (speculate) on likely changes in the next fifty years

A national education system- (describe) your country’s aims for education - (compare) expectations of today’s school-leavers with previous generations- (evaluate) advantages/disadvantages of grouping learners by ability

Different styles/methods of teaching and learning - (describe) teaching styles/methods for different age-groups in your

country- (suggest) your preferred method of learning- (evaluate) advantages/disadvantages of grouping learners by ability

GOOD LUCK !!!