IELTS Speaking Practice Tips for Beginners to Get High Scores

To prepare yourself with a strong mindset before the IELTS exam Speaking, at the very least you need to understand what kind of test format you will experience, what the examiner's requirements are, so that you can build an effective Speaking practice strategy for beginners. Before the exam, you must clearly understand the following issues:

• What is the total time for the speaking test?

• How many parts does the speaking test consist of, and what are the characteristics of each part?

• The examiner's evaluation criteria: pronunciation, tone of voice,...

Before practicing IELTS Speaking, candidates need to clearly understand the test structure and test time

1.1. Test structure

The IELTS Speaking test consists of three parts, with a total test time of 15 minutes. Each part of the test is recorded.

Parts of the test:

• Part 1

  (4 - 5 minutes): This part revolves around introductory questions about yourself such as name, age, hobbies, nationality, studies, work, family, friends,...

• Part 2

  (3-4 minutes): The candidate is given a topic to prepare and present their speech for 2 minutes. For this part, you need to note down keywords and try to maintain your speech, especially when the examiner asks you questions.

• Part 3

  (4-5 minutes): The examiner will ask additional questions on the topics in part 2, discussing deeper issues and abstract concepts. At this point, you need to increase interaction with the examiner by offering more new opinions.

One point to note is that you should not repeat the answers you have presented in the previous parts. Try to diversify your ideas to create a good impression on the examiner.

The IELTS Speaking test has a structure consisting of 3 parts

1.2. Scoring criteria

In addition to clearly understanding the test structure and test time, the scoring criteria are the framework for you to look at and determine what you need to improve when practicing for the IELTS Speaking test.

Below are the scoring criteria:

• Fluency and Coherence: This criterion requires candidates to speak content that is connected and has specific, clear information transmission value. In this part, don't forget to use linking words to score points. Additionally, the candidate's answers need to have a certain length, suitable for the test requirements and the examiner's questions.

• Ability to use words (

  Lexical Resource

  ): You need to use words accurately according to their form and meaning in a specific context. Additionally, using specialized vocabulary appropriate to each topic is a factor that helps you improve your score. In this lexical resource criterion, you should not use common general words. For example, you can replace the word famous with prominent or well-known.

• Grammar Range and Accuracy: First, the grammar you use in your speech must be completely accurate, especially in the agreement between the subject and verb and the tenses in English. One thing to note is that instead of just using basic simple sentences, candidates should replace them with complex sentences or more advanced sentence structures.

  Grammar Range and Accuracy

  ): First, the grammar you use in your speech must be completely accurate, especially in the agreement between the subject and verb and the tenses in English. One thing to note is that instead of just using basic simple sentences, candidates should replace them with complex sentences or more advanced sentence structures.

• Pronunciation: Pronunciation is a key scoring factor in the IELTS Speaking test. Therefore, you need to pronounce IPA sounds accurately, stress the correct syllables, have intonation, vary your pitch, and maintain a stable speaking speed, not too fast or too slow.

Pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and fluency are the four scoring criteria of the IELTS Speaking test

Once you understand the test structure and scoring criteria, it's time to plan your IELTS Speaking practice. Below are the steps for beginners to systematize knowledge and have an effective IELTS Speaking test.

2.1. Strengthen grammar foundation

Grammar is not only essential for reading and writing sections but also helps you have a quality speaking test and achieve high scores. Among them, the grammar points listed below are a must-know:

• Tenses in English

• Noun-Verb Agreement

• Conditional sentences

• Comparative sentences

• Passive voice

• Relative clauses

• Reduced relative clauses

• Third conditional sentences

Grammar mistakes will severely cost you points in the IELTS Speaking test

See more: Common questions in the IELTS Speaking test that you should know

2.2. Compile speaking topics for each test section

Since each IELTS test section has different requirements, to have an effective IELTS Speaking study plan for beginners, you need to list topics, select vocabulary and grammar to develop ideas for each test section.

This method helps you remember important content, thereby developing content, building ideas, and creating connections between them to meet the scoring criteria of the examiner. You can refer to common speaking topics here.

Compile a speech to visualize what you need to say during the test

2.3. Strengthen vocabulary

Besides grammar, vocabulary and the ability to use words are one of the four main criteria that determine how many points you will score in the IELTS Speaking section. Therefore, you should not overlook the reinforcement and building of your vocabulary.

Choose valuable, specialized vocabulary for practice. When learning, you need to understand the context of the word's usage and add flexibility to diversify your test.

See more: Complete set of 30+ topics for IELTS SPEAKING part 1, 2, 3

Learning more vocabulary will help you be more confident and improve your English speaking skills

2.4. Practice in front of a mirror and with a recorder

A mirror and a recorder are two indispensable tools for beginners practicing IELTS Speaking. While a mirror helps you recognize pronunciation and body language, a recorder helps you listen to what you have said, identify mistakes, and improve incomplete parts.

Practicing in front of a mirror and recording your speech will help you improve your skills and confidence. To maximize the effectiveness of this method, you need to:

• Develop a strategy to ensure you answer within the time limit.

• Get used to the time pressure in the exam room.

• Record your entire speech and listen back to identify and correct mistakes.

See more: 5 tips for better pronunciation practice

Listening to the recording helps you know where you went wrong and what needs to be corrected

2.5. Find a speaking partner

While a mirror helps you practice confidence, communicating with others helps you develop reflexes. You can find a partner with the same score goals to coordinate better, help each other correct mistakes, and have an academic environment to enhance thinking ability. This partner can come from online IELTS study groups or your IELTS classmate. Choose the most suitable form for you.

Communicating with others will help you improve your English speaking skills

2.6. Take mock tests

The benefit of taking mock tests is that it helps you determine your ability and get used to the exam pressure to better prepare mentally for the real test.

Register for mock tests to get used to the atmosphere of an exam session

See more: Register for free IELTS mock tests at IDP

In addition to reviewing, there are a few tips you need to remember to achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test

• Be confident in yourself: Have you heard the saying “confidence is key”? Create a confident demeanor that makes the person you're speaking with feel interested, thereby gaining more favor from the examiner.

• Answer naturally with an engaging tone: A melodic sentence will help convey the message more easily while also inspiring the conversation partner.

• Be well-prepared: IELTS is not an exam where you can rely on luck. You need to prepare a sufficient amount of knowledge corresponding to the band score you desire to handle the test, especially when you have to converse with the examiner.

• Try to expand your speaking content: The IELTS Speaking test does not allow candidates to repeat ideas and encourages the use of diverse vocabulary. Therefore, try to develop ideas and expand content to make your speech more convincing.

• Use “valuable vocabulary”: IELTS learners often need to professionalize the vocabulary they use as this is one of the four scoring criteria. You can replace the word join with participate, understand with perceive, before with previous, buy with purchase to make your speech more valuable.

• Choose a quality learning and review center: Practicing IELTS Speaking for beginners will be less challenging if you choose a quality review center. They will provide standard materials and practice based on the complete test structure, helping you access the most accurate and new knowledge.

Confidence and thorough preparation are still the top important tips to successfully conquer IELTS

4. IDP - The leading IELTS test organizer in Vietnam

IDP is one of the most reputable IELTS test organizers in Vietnam. The reason IDP is trusted by candidates and parents is because:

• Candidates can choose to practice skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) as required

• Each review course provides up to 25 hours of online learning with highly specialized instructors

• Candidates can register for free skill tests

• Each candidate will receive detailed evaluations after completing the test as well as sample answers for reference

• Provide detailed instructions along with small tips for effective review

See more:

Revealing effective IELTS Reading learning methods for beginners

Methods to practice IELTS Listening for beginners to increase band

We have just discussed tips for learning IELTS Speaking for beginners. These tips have been summarized by IDP after more than two decades of accompanying candidates in the process of reviewing and taking the IELTS test. Besides tips, determination and a correct roadmap will be the deciding factors for the success or failure of candidates in the IELTS exam.