People take the IELTS exam to help them open doors to new opportunities in migrating to native English Speaking countries. There are different tests conducted under IELTS but for many the 'Speaking Test' is perhaps the most daunting. Even though this test has the shortest duration, lasting only about 10 to 15 minutes it can seem like an eternity for some.
People's experience of the speaking test gives it the impression of a very brief and intense interview session. It involves having a strong focus on speaking creatively accompanied by the skill of being able to instantly respond in English to the interviewer's questions. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to assist international students in cracking the speaking test for instance enrolling in a IELTS preparation course in Victoria or seeking the assistance of a speaking coach.
Reading this blog would help in understanding how to prepare better for the speaking test and how hiring the services of a speaking coach can be an advantage.
What is IELTS?
The IELTS or International English Language Testing System is meant to help individuals migrate to other native English-speaking countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and USA. It assesses one's ability to speak, listen, read and write in English which is graded on a scale of 1 to 9.
The basic format of an IELTS exam includes sitting for the reading, writing and listening test in one sitting while the speaking test is held separately. The prior three are held in either booklet format or computer format. The speaking test is typically scheduled on the same day as the other exams but can also be scheduled a week early or before the booklet or computer test.
On the day of the speaking test, the candidate will be greeted in a room by the examiner. They will then be asked to introduce themselves which will then initiate their speaking test.
The Format of the IELTS Speaking Test
This test takes place in three parts;
IELTS Speaking Part 1: The test is started like a personal interview round. Part 1 only lasts for about 4 to 5 minutes where the candidate has a brief conversation with the interviewer based on the provided speaking topics in speculation of their life experiences. The conversation takes the form of "small talk" as the interviewer asks questions that can also be exchanged with someone a person has just met.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: This part of the speaking test is referred to as the "long turn". This is like an elocution round where the interviewee will be given a topic and certain additional points to speak on in their speech. They just have a minute to prepare their response after which they can speak for a maximum of 2 minutes. The examiner is also likely to present some follow-up questions after the candidate has completed their speech.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: This is called the discussion round. Here, the interviewee is asked to continue speaking on the topic provided in the second round but is asked to substantiate their opinion. The questions asked by the interviewer here are more difficult and require more comprehensive thinking.
What the Examiner Assesses during the Speaking Test
The examiners who conduct the IELTS Speaking Test are equipped with extensive teaching experience and knowledge. They follow strictly defined criteria for the speaking assessment and can test the candidate's English speaking abilities in an unbiased manner. The speaking criteria include four factors that the examiner needs to assess. These factors include fluency and coherence, testing their grammatical range, lexical resource, accuracy and pronunciation.
As already mentioned, the candidate can score on a scale of 0 to 9. The band score of 9 signifies that the candidate was outstanding throughout the three-part speaking test. However, scoring a 4 is considered below-average English speaking skills.
Fluency
If the goal is to score between a 7 and an 8 on the IELTS speaking test, then the candidate needs to maintain their fluency from the introduction part itself. This implies that the candidate must;
Does not need to take long pauses to come up with ideas.
Can provide detailed answers to the examiner's questions. Should not be limited to just Yes or No.
Can speak without hesitation and nervousness.
Can comprehend the examiner's questions and develop a sufficient response instantaneously.
They do not repeat words or spend time replacing words already spoken.
Pronunciation
If the examiner is unable to understand what the candidate is trying to say, they unfortunately won't do well on their speaking test. Even if they speak with an accent it should be understandable. The use of fancy vocabulary and speaking creatively won't be enough if the pronunciation is off the rails. The examiner is looking for an effortless and natural means accent while speaking.
Vocabulary
The candidate mustn't limit themselves to repeating the same words over and over. There are millions of words to choose from. Although it is not possible to learn all of them, the candidate can practice learning and diversifying their knowledge of words. This will especially help during the IELTS speaking test. A good vocabulary range boosts the candidate's chances of scoring more bands.
Grammatical Range
The use of tenses and clauses is an excellent technique for leaving the examiner impressed. They are usually in search of a diverse range of grammatically correct structures. It is also essential to remain consistent while using those tenses and forms, thus grammatical range plays a crucial role in improving the odds of scoring bigger bands on the IELTS speaking test.
Structure
When the candidate presents their idea in a structured way, it sounds more realistic. This is most applicable when Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Test is being conducted. During that stage, the candidate is presented with a situation or scenario where they need to present their thoughts and opinions in a clear and structured manner.
Relevance
The IELTS examiner would not only look at the style and accuracy of speaking but also assess their thoughts and ideas on the given topic. The candidate needs to be able to stick to their point and not speak off-topic or anything irrelevant.
Why opt for a Speaking Coach?
People can employ plenty of different strategies to improve their odds of scoring no matter if it's for migration, study or work. Some solutions include practical writing tests as well as listening to English audio. However, learning to practice how to speak for the IELTS speaking test can be tricky unless one has a relative or a friend who is fluent in English.
Besides that, an IELTS speaking coach is just the ideal alternative.
Training under an IELTS speaking coach includes a one-on-one session concerning the candidate's previous test experience and what band score they wish to target. This followed up with a one-on-one mock speaking test which includes practice questions. The speaking expert will be able to offer their students detailed feedback on their performance. This includes both tips to help achieve the targeted score and a comprehensive report containing all the details related to their improvement.
However, it is also best to keep in mind that the speaking coach is someone who can provide substantial knowledge on speaking derived from their experience and is not meant to replace the usual English lessons. It is merely a tool to improve the chances of scoring better on the IELTS speaking test.
Advantages of opting for an IELTS Speaking Coach;
A speaking coach is an individual who can ensure that a candidate is on the right track in the training procedure. They increase the candidate's chances of success by providing the following benefits;
Personalized Advice
After going through multiple English lessons and engaging in independent study and practice, it is time to put all that acquired knowledge and effort to use by acquiring feedback on their capability to speak the language. However, this is the point when IELTS students face the most complications. They fear being criticized and so choose to avoid consulting a subject matter expert.
This is where an IELTS-speaking coach can step in to bridge the gap in their preparation. They present the candidate with an opportunity to practice speaking English with an expert who is well aware of what the IELTS examiners look for when grading the speaking test.
Instead of giving generic information, the coach will be able to tailor their advice exactly to what the candidate needs. No matter if the candidate is struggling with their pronunciation or is lacking in their vocabulary power, their speaking coach would highlight the key areas which need improvement and also equip them with the techniques to do so.
Fine Tune Speaking Skills
Anyone can look for English lesson lessons and language-speaking tools online. Then again, understanding the difference between quality learning resources and those that are a waste of time can be difficult for newbie learners. Resorting to speech training offers the opportunity to learn at the hands of a reliable and fluent speaker.
An expert speaking trainer will be able to furnish candidates with first-hand quality information on how to practice speaking most effectively and not just beat around the bush. They will be able to provide direct feedback based on their experience and expertise. They assess their candidate's performance based on substantial knowledge and IELTS testing models. They can be certain that the information being given is credible.
Practice Pronunciation and Vocabulary
Even people who have been speaking in English for a while have had to struggle in pronouncing a list of words. In most cases, the confusion lies in which part of the word to emphasize. Working with an IELTS Speaking Coach will give the candidate a chance to practice speaking these words with proper pronunciation within a safe space free of any kind of judgment. This will enable them to improve their speaking issues before entering into a formal testing environment.
Prepare with a Real Person
Technology has made it possible to learn a language almost instantaneously. However, this benefit comes with certain drawbacks. In the majority of cases, people feel like they have established a strong understanding of the basics of a language just by going through online tutorials and courses. However, when it comes to actual real-life conversations, the candidate needs to be able to put their reading and writing skills to the test and this is usually where they feel stuck.
There are various added complications like differences in dialect which is not always possible to learn online. English Speaking coaches are well aware and trained to understand the differences in dialect. Therefore are capable of advising in specific areas when training a candidate which would not be possible otherwise in an online course.
Official IELTS Feedback
Resorting to a Speaking Coach is the ideal means of cracking the IELTS speaking test with flying colours. Doing so ensures the candidate has all-around preparation in all aspects of the test. They can help prepare the candidate a week in advance and ensure they have enough time to make improvements based on the coach's feedback.
Conclusion
The speaking test in the IELTS exam requires practical preparation as the candidate will be examined on their actual speaking skills and not on just how well they did in the exam booklet or computer exam. Opting for an online speaking coach in Victoria may just help those who need help with their English speaking skills. Especially, when one is feeling less confident in their training techniques. It is essential to find an IELTS English Speaking Trainer who has specific expertise to train the candidate at their own unique pace.
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