So many of us thought that speaking is the thing we most fear! In fact, according to many IELTS test takers, the IELTS speaking interview can be even scarier than huge hairy spiders or dangerous snakes. Now that you have an idea of the type of questions the examiner will ask you, here are some strategies you will need to know to perform well and get a high speaking score.
- Relax
Well, here’s the thing, if you are too tense, your answers will probably be stiff and short but all about assessing your natural speaking ability, so your aim should be to talk naturally and confidently. Try imagining as though you are talking to a friend. When talking to friends, you’re relaxed and open. This is the perfect mindset to be in during the speaking test. Take some deep breaths as you enter the room. Calming your nerves is half the battle.
- Give nice complete answers
Just as in the introduction, DO NOT simply give “yes” or “no” answers. Expand your answer, you can use the AREA formula to help you with.
A – Answer
R – Reason
E – Example
A – Answer again
Don’t forget, this is a speaking test. So you should be doing most of the speaking. Don’t forget the 80% rule we mentioned above.
- It’s okay to give negative answers (but make them interesting)
Some test takers seem to think that you must give a positive answer to everything. But negative answers are equally as good so long as they are interesting. If you are honest about your negative experience, your sentences will flow better since you don’t have to think as much about what you will say. Remember to always show a positive attitude even when you are giving a negative answer.
- Avoid using confusing language
- Don’t be a perfectionist
Here’s the thing, your examiner is not expecting perfection. Believe it or not, even people who get band 9 for speaking make small mistakes! If you are constantly thinking about your grammar and vocabulary, it could adversely affect your fluency and pronunciation. Fluency and pronunciation make up 50% of your marks. So, there is no point getting stuck searching for the perfect word or trying for perfect grammar. Just speak as naturally as possible. Don’t overthink your sentences. And again, remember that your examiner is not expecting perfection.
Source: https://ielc.co.id/en/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-ielts-speaking-part-1/