Showing posts with label ielts speaking exam tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ielts speaking exam tips. Show all posts

Proper Ways on How To Answer IELTS Speaking



A lot of people find it hard to speak in a large crowd. The fear of making a mistake and being laughed at is the common reason for this. However, in a speaking test such as the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System exam, speaking right in front of a native English speaker is much nerve racking than speaking with a large crowd. 

Filipino examinees for the IELTS have to undergo a one-on-one interview with a native English speaker (sometimes a Filipino trained to evaluate the test) for the speaking test. Though the test only lasts for 15 minutes, many candidates for the tests are already anxious in taking this test. This sub-test is unavoidable; hence, all the candidates can do is prepare for this part. How can one prepare for the IELTS speaking test? Here are some proper ways on how you can come up with good responses for the speaking examination.

1. Be familiar with the three tasks of the speaking test and how they are evaluated. Once you understand these tasks, it will be much easier to create responses. With your responses, always consider the following criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, pronunciation, and grammar and accuracy. 

2. Have good vocabulary. Examiners are more impressed with candidates who can choose the right words to express what is on their mind. Try to use big words that you know. Avoid using vocabulary that you are unsure with its definition. 

3. Be fluent. The flow of your response should sound natural as possible. Take a pause when needed. 

4. Do not be monotone. Having the same boring tone in speaking can bore you examiner. Put stress on words that you want to emphasize. Monotone responses are not impressive and can hugely affect your score. Make your responses more interesting with the rising and falling of your tone. 

5. Do not ask examiners to define a word that you do not understand. Instead, ask them if they could rephrase the question. Asking them to define the word puts you on a negative light. 

6. Open your mouth when speaking. Some examinees feel nervous that they end up mumbling during the test. The clarity of your responses is affected. 

7. Correct yourself when you think you made a mistake. This gives the examiner an impression that you are quick to identify mistakes. However, do not make too many corrections. 

8. Relax while speaking. Some people are too nervous that their voices break in the middle of the speaking. Be conscious with the tone and loudness of your voice. It is okay to be nervous but do not let it overwhelm you. 

9. Be natural as possible. Do not use templates with you answers. Raters are trained to identify patterned answers. 

10. Find a speaking partner before the test. This will give you a good opportunity to use the English language and develop confidence as well. 

The speaking test should not be dreaded. Instead, make it a challenge and proud to your examiner that you are a good English speaker. Practice and always be open to new learning in the English language. 

Tips on How to Respond in IELTS Speaking (Task 1, Task 2, Task 3)

Many Filipinos feel stressed when they talk about taking the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination, most especially the Speaking section. The speaking section is a one-on-one interview with a native English speaker or someone who is very proficient with the language. Filipinos are good English speakers; however, when they are put in a situation wherein they have to speak with a native speaker, they all feel nervous and anxious. 

One problem that Filipinos have to get rid of is the feeling of anxiety during their IELTS speaking test. When someone is anxious, this can have an effect on the flow of ideas in the responses which will eventually ruin the examinee’s focus in the interview. To help examinees with the test, here are some tips for each speaking task in the IELTS speaking test.



TASK 1

The first task is an introduction. The examinee is asked very familiar questions in preparation for the much longer questions on the latter part of the test. 

Do not give too much detail on the responses. A couple of sentences as details is good enough.
Listen to the question carefully. Answer what is asked. 
Do not stray away from the question. 
Give the examiner the chance to ask follow up questions. A yes or no response is not recommended. 

Examples:

Q: Could you tell me your full name please?
A:My name is Ernie Angelo Mulat. You can call me Ernie throughout the interview.

Q: Does your name have any special meaning?
A: I am not exactly sure if it has a special meaning, but my mother got it from her favourite 
Sesame Street Character, the one who lives with Bert.

Q: Tell me something about your hometown.
A: My hometown is located in the southern part of the city. It has a nice park where people 
usually visit on the weekends. There is a good beach about 10 minutes from my home. Further, I 
can say that my hometown is very quiet and peaceful since it’s far from the heart of the city. 

TASK 2

In the second task, the examinee is given a cue card where a question is given with its guide questions. The examinee is given a minute to prepare and a couple of minutes for his or her response. 

Understand the task before giving the response. Make sure the guide questions are answered. 
Organize the ideas in the response. Use transition words. 
Make an outline. Write in words not in sentences. 

Example:

Describe a special occasion when you had a really enjoyable meal.
You should say:
what the occasion was
who was at the meal
what you ate
and explain why the meal was so enjoyable.

Sample response:

Family gatherings have always been very special to my family. It was my 29th birthday that we really had an enjoyable meal.

My parents reserved a buffet dinner in Vikings. It is a buffet restaurant here in the city where food is really fabulous and very satisfying. Aside from my parents and my two sisters, three of my closest friends were also there. We ate really a lot as the restaurant is known for Asian and European cuisines. I was having a mouthful with the pasta and some green salad. The steak was also superb that everyone enjoyed. 

The meal was enjoyable because the food was great. Everything was really tasty and delicious. However, what made that day really better was the thought of celebrating my birthday with my loved ones. I love my family and having them around, with my friends, is the best thing I had on my birthday. 

TASK 3

The third task is a two-way discussion with the examiner. The topics are connected to the second part’s question. 

Listen carefully to the question. Understand first before making a response. 
Give elaborate responses. Give a general idea and explain further with details. 
Responses should be aligned with the question. Avoid getting out of the topic. 

Examples:

Q: What do you think a healthy diet consists of?
A: Personally, I think a healthy diet is a balanced diet of greens and meat. People should eat 
more greens and have less meat. For me, no meat is just crazy as our bodies need protein. I believe that people should choose carefully what they put inside their bodies by choosing vegetable and fruits more in their daily diet. Further, people should have fewer intakes of carbonated drinks and more on water to flush out toxins in the body. 

Q: Should rich countries help poor countries with more than just food?
A: Indeed. Though many poor countries need food, they also need medicines to treat the sick 
people. Not only people are dying from hunger but also from untreated diseases. Rich countries should provide these poor countries medical help by coming up with medical missions and providing free medicines. Since they are poor, it would be impossible for them to buy and maintain taking their medicines. Rich countries should handle this problem and make sure that the poor are not only fed but also treated from their sickness to be healthy. 

The IELTS speaking exam becomes easier when candidate’s practice a lot. Find a speaking instructor or better yet, enrol in an IELTS review centers to get help from speaking coaches. They know how to improve not only on your speaking skills but also the confidence in using the language as well.

For more Ielts Tips you can refer to this link magtuonta.blogspot.com.

IELTS Online Review: Is it more Helpful for My Speaking Examination?

Preparing for the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination was difficult for me when I took it. I was working full-time on a bank and my work schedule was from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. My husband and I needed the IELTS since we applied for a visa in Canada. Both of us were working and we really had a hard time making adjustments on when to review for our IELTS examination.

A lot of our friends suggested that we enroll in an IELTS review center, which we did. The IELTS review center was a five-minute walk form my office, and I usually met my husband in the review center as we attended classes together. During the first two weeks, we never failed to attend the class. It was fun feeling like a student. However, with all the overtime work my husband and I had to do, there were a lot of times that we were not able to make it to class. That was the time our instructor offered an IETS online review. I was skeptical since it was my first time to hear about it. My husband, on the other hand, was positive about it. We did sign up for the program in the same IELTS review center.

The IELTS online review program amazed me. I was surprised how convenient it was for me and my husband to study IELTS right in our own homes. What I like best with the IELTS online review is the focused training on speaking, of which I was not quite confident. In class, it was difficult to give your own opinion since I had this idea in mind that others might find my ideas illogical and even stupid. With the online review, I was able to say my ideas without any worries of being judged. Further, the speaking became easier for me as my instructor was able to give me comments right on the nose. The comments were straightforward, and I was able to learn more on pronunciation even speaking English naturally. My husband felt the same way too. It was more encouraging for us to speak up since we were the only students in the online class. The instructors guided us well in making right and appropriate responses.

Is the speaking IELTS online review helpful for my exam? Indeed. First, the teacher has all the focus on you in class. He or she can directly correct you with your mistakes. The guidance given is much detailed than those of having in big group of at last 25 students. Second, the instructors make sure that the responses given have the right content with the appropriate vocabulary and grammar. Finally, there is more interaction and ideas shared as the class is limited to only one student.


We took the test last month, and we both got a score of 7.0 in the speaking test. That is both hard work from our online instructors and ourselves. Should I recommend the IELTS online review? Definitely! It is the best preparation one can undertake prior to taking the real IELTS test. 

For more IELTS Tips you can refer to this link: www.ieltsexamstips.com.

Is it vital to know the different question types in IELTS speaking?

Communication is vital in one’s development and success – academically and professionally. Recently, a number of Filipinos have been working hard in undergoing training and reviews to pass qualifications needed overseas. One qualification they have to get is their fluency in English; hence, the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System test is a requirement where applicants have to reach an overall band score with a specific emphasis on the speaking score.



Do candidates need to know the different question types in IELTS speaking? The answer is YES.


Knowledge on the question types is great advantage. The candidate has to know the three different tasks in the IELTS speaking. First, there is the first task is an introduction. The examiner asks the candidate to introduce him or her. Further, the examiner asks general questions like topics on family, school, work, hometown, hobbies, or interests. Here are some task  1 questions:


Where do you come from?
Are you a student or do you have a job?
Could you tell me a typical day of yours?
What do you usually do with your friends?
Do you like reading?


The second task is where the examiner gives a cue card where the task is written. The candidate has to describe something and give a response based on the guide questions included. The candidate is given a minute to prepare and a couple of minutes to speak. Here are sample questions for the second task.


Describe something you own which is very important to you.


You should say:

where you got it from
how long you have had it
what you use it for; and 
explain why it is important to you.


Describe your favorite photograph

Where was the photo taken?
Who took the photo?
What can be seen from the photo?
Explain why it is the favorite photograph for you


Finally, the third task will be a more in-depth discussion on the second task’s topic. This will be more of a interactive conversation between the examinee and the examiner. There is no time limit given in the responses as long as the examinee will be able to make a good point in his or her answers. This two-way discussion will last for about four to five minutes. Candidates are expected to answer the question in full sentences and elaborate their points by using reasons and examples related to their argument.


It is important for any IELTS test candidate to know these to be able to come prepared in the interview. Practice and familiarity are important in getting a good a score in the IELTS speaking test.


Planning to take ielts review? You can visit this link for more information www.jroozreview.com/ielts-review-center,

What to do if I forgot the word I want to say in the IELTS Speaking Test?



Some people, particularly non-native English speakers, are left dumbfounded when they listen to native English speakers speak. The fluency when they speak is so good that a lot are somehow mesmerized. Since English has becoming a language more and more people are using, many non-native English speakers study the language for personal and professional growth. Knowing how to use and speak the English language is beneficial most especially in finding a good job overseas.


Different companies and institutions overseas offer great career opportunities to Filipinos. Whether it is a job or for education, Filipinos are willing to take this chance of getting a better life overseas. Filipinos have to understand that working overseas have a great deal of requirements to be submitted and one of these is passing the International English Language Testing System examination or the IELTS test.


Among the four sections of the test, most candidates are apprehensive with the speaking section of the test. Since it is a one-on-one interview, candidates worry that they might not be able to respond clearly to the questions being asked on the test. Furthermore, there is a fear among candidates that they will forget what they want to say while speaking. If this happens, how should candidates handle the situation?


Stay calm. Most candidates panic and they end up finishing their responses without a complete thought. If you forget something you want to say, stay calm and breathe.

Find a synonym or an expression similar to what you want to say. It is totally acceptable to use other words in expressing your ideas. This might even better the context of the response.

Avoid using fillers. Fillers work fine but you have to limit the usage of such. Instead, use the following expressions; you can say, “what I mean is that”, “what I am trying to say is”, or “in other words”.

Avoid repeating the sentence you are trying to construct. Just continue speaking.

Come to the test prepared. The key in being familiar with the course of the speaking test is by attending review classes for the speaking. With speaking coaches, candidates will be trained on how to deal with speaking interview situations. They will be taught with techniques on how to listen carefully to the questions and responding to these questions appropriately.


Being nervous for a test is common, yet this feeling can be overcome. To be ready for the test, one must undergo training for the IELTS speaking and be exposed in the usage of the English language. The more the candidate is exposed to opportunities where he or she can speak English, the higher the chance in getting a good score in the speaking exam.

Get more tips IELTS Tips here www.ieltsexamstips.com