IELTS Speaking Tips for Band 8
Speaking is a face to face informal conversation with an examiner. This is divided into three parts
- Introduction
- Cue card
- Follow ups
In the introduction part, examiner putt some basic questions related to your life, hobbies, about your like or dislikes.
But in cue card you will be given a booklet opened to the page that asks you to talk about a topic for 1-2 minutes. Right after you see the question, you will get 1 minute to plan your answer and write down some notes on a piece of paper.
Moreover, in the follow – ups the examiner will ask you some more challenging questions which are more abstract and general as oppose to the personal questions in the previous parts. These questions will be related to the cue card.
Most of the students face difficulties in cue card because they are not able to speak for 2 minutes with confident. So, today we will discuss some IELTS speaking tips to 8+ bands.
1. Talking with friends in English
To improve your fluency and confidence you should start the conversation in English with your friends. In this way you represent your ideas with smart way and you should speak quite simple but fluently with your friends
2. Don’t speak too fast
You don’t have to speak fast in order to get high score in speaking. You need to show the examiner that you can speak freely on any topic so you need to maintain this even pace throughout the exam and if you think that it may be more difficult for you to talk on certain topics. You should start talking more slowly from the very beginning because you know naturally some people speak fast and some very slowly so it’s good to start with your normal pace. Just keep in mind that your message should be conveyed to the examiner in a proper manner.
3. Give open answers
It may be difficult to find what to say. By trying to say at least a sentence of two sentences for each questions in part one. For example, the examiner may ask you – do like your voice? and if you just say oh I’m not sure, I guess yes. It’s too little answer but I understand the question is difficult but still try to say “oh gosh I have never thought about it before I guess I do but he can say is first time I heard my voice in a WhatsApp message I was really surprised.” so try to given open answers in this way.
4. Clarify things you do not understand
The speaking test mimics a regular conversation. If you do not understand something, ask your examiner about the same. Just say that you are sorry before asking him to explain what a word means. You can also ask the examiner to repeat a question.
5. Linking words
As per the criteria for assessment, a suitable aspirant for Band 7 will be able to use linking words and connectives flexibly. Use expressions such as although, however, on the other hand, in other words, and more. Your range is what will get you noticed. The examiner does not want you to say the same thing again and again. Record your speech and identify whether you are repeating any phrase a little too much. Consider replacing the same with another sentence. Linking words will always get you better scores.
6. Be relevant
When answering a question, take a few seconds to align your thoughts completely. If a question is about which sport you like, it is very easy to end up talking about your favourite sports person instead.
7. You have explored all possible topics
Don’t be caught by surprise by the question you are asked. There are many practice tests that you can find online which will give you an idea of what kind of questions you may expect.
8. Be Loud and Clear
It is not compulsory to use complicated words or long sentences to appear like someone knowledgeable. Speak the way you are comfortable with, the way you speak generally. Your discomfort can permeate through your body and make you nervous.
9. Form Grammatically Correct Sentences
A grammatically wrong sentence will definitely lead to a deduction but using simple language may not. For example – ‘The advent of technology has changed the business world’ can be replaced with ‘Recent developments in technology have changed the business world’. Making these small changes can help you sail smoothly through the speaking test.
10. Body language
Body language also matter a lot while speaking. It is the combination of facial expressions, gestures and movements which convey good message in front of examiner. So, make sure your body language will be full of expressions and confident.
Thank you:-
