speaking

General Structure

  • Participants: One candidate and one examiner.
  • Duration: 11 to 14 minutes.
  • Recording: The entire test is recorded for quality control and review purposes.

Assessment Criteria

The examiner assesses the candidate’s performance in four key areas:

  • Fluency and Coherence: Ability to speak smoothly, logically, and at a natural pace.
  • Lexical Resource: Use of a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately.
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Use of various grammatical structures correctly.
  • Pronunciation: Clarity and naturalness of speech sounds.

Test Parts

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

  • Duration: 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Format: The examiner introduces themselves and asks the candidate to introduce themselves. This is followed by questions on familiar topics like home, work, studies, and interests

Part 2: Individual Long Turn

  • Preparation: 1 minute.
  • Speaking Time: 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Format: The candidate is given a task card with a topic. They have one minute to prepare their response and may make notes. The candidate then speaks about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes without interruption.

Part 3: Discussion

  • Duration: 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Format: The examiner and candidate engage in a discussion on broader issues and abstract ideas related to the topic from Part 2. This part explores the candidate’s ability to express opinions and justify their views, analyze issues, and speculate about future scenarios.

Tips for Success

  • Use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures.
  • Speak clearly and at a natural pace.
  • Organize your thoughts logically.
  • Practice discussing a variety of topics to build confidence and coherence.

Understanding the format and what is expected in each part of the IELTS Speaking Test will help you prepare effectively and demonstrate your speaking abilities comprehensively.