- Duration: The IELTS Speaking Module lasts for approximately 60 minutes and consists of three distinct parts.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
- Time: 4-5 minutes
- Focus: Answer general questions about yourself, such as:
- Your home or family
- Your job or studies
- Your interests
- Familiar topics
- Tip: Prepare answers to common questions. Practice speaking confidently about yourself and your daily life.
Part 2: Individual Long Turn
- Time: 3-4 minutes (1 minute to prepare, 2 minutes to speak)
- Task: You will receive a card with a topic and will need to:
- Prepare your thoughts in 1 minute
- Speak continuously for 1-2 minutes
- Follow-Up: The examiner may ask one or two questions related to your topic.
Part 3: Two-Way Discussion
- Time: 4-5 minutes
- Focus: Engage in a discussion with the examiner about abstract concepts or issues linked to your Part 2 topic.
- Tip: Use this opportunity to showcase your ability to discuss complex ideas fluently.
Scoring Criteria
- Effective Communication: Your ability to communicate ideas clearly and fluently in English will determine your score.
Preparation Strategies
Part 1: Preparing for Basic Questions
-
Common Questions: Practice answers to these typical questions:
- Describe yourself.
- Describe your family.
- Describe your home.
- Describe your interests.
- Describe your job or studies.
- Tip: Ensure your answers are fluent and detailed. Spend 1-2 minutes answering each question during practice.
Part 2: Mastering Storytelling
- Why Stories? Stories are engaging and make your responses memorable.
- Key Steps:
- Recall personal experiences involving leadership, achievements, or challenges.
- Structure your story:
- What: Describe the event or situation.
- Who: Mention key people involved.
- Why: Explain the reasons or context.
- How: Outline the sequence of events.
- Practice making your story concise and compelling.
- Example: A successful group project where you led the team to meet tight deadlines and achieved excellent results.
Part 3: Building Bridges
- Adaptability: Use your stories as "bridges" to answer various questions.
- Strategy: Even closed-ended questions (e.g., "What is your job title?") can become opportunities to share a story.
- Example: "I work as a Product Manager. One of my projects involved developing a new feature that increased user engagement by 50%."
- Pause Strategically: Include natural pauses in your story to gauge the examiner's interest and adjust accordingly.
Practice Tips
-
Consistency: Practice speaking English regularly in diverse settings, such as:
- Talking to friends and family
- Using language learning apps
- Engaging in mock interviews
- Feedback: Have others listen to your responses and provide constructive criticism.
- Fluency: Focus on clear and natural speech. Avoid memorizing responses word-for-word.
Story Customization
| Question | Story Focus |
|---|---|
| Describe a time you worked in a team. | Talk about collaborating on a school or work project, emphasizing teamwork and communication. |
| Describe a challenging situation you overcame. | Highlight a situation where you managed stress and achieved success under pressure. |
Final Thoughts
- Practice: Adapt your stories to different scenarios and questions during mock tests.
- Engage: Use dynamic storytelling to captivate the examiner and make your interview memorable.
- Prepare: By mastering the art of storytelling and practicing consistently, you will feel confident and ready to excel in the IELTS Speaking Module.