IELTS SPEAKING
part 1 - interview [4-5min]
Let's talk first about... [free time / interests]
Moving on now to talk about your studies... [English learning]
part 2 - long turn [3-4min]
1 min prep with topic statement
2 min speaking
2 closing questions
part 3 - discussion [4-5min]
two-way discussion
3 questions on previous topic
3 follow-up questions
practice pg 202 pg 203
understanding the rationale of a task
recognise graded material
practise answering B1 questions on C2 topics
Afro-American sub-culture music artists in concert halls are reminiscent of lions in a zoo because they have lost their genuine appeal. Do you agree?
= practising answering B1 questions on a C2 topic
practise answering C1 questions on B1 topics
(imagining topic statements & making them more difficult, i.e. more targeted)
People are not interested in going to museums anymore. Do you agree?
= practising answering C1 questions on a B1 topic
rationale of part 1
breaking the ice
check ability to interact
understand the rationale of the task
eg: 'speaking about leisure activities' = being convincing about what you like doing
functional language
neutral or informal register [conversational level rather than formal monologue]
fluency markers [er, well, hm]
fixed expressions [to sound fluent]
question tags [to show interest]
how to emphasise = adv + adjective + noun
adv = used as an intensifier for the adjective
adverbial phrase - in fact
eg: a really enjoyable experience is...
I don't know what to say Let me think about it
avoid informal language
I don't think like it's the best possibility in your life
I don't think that it's a good idea I wouldn't consider this to be right / appropriate
I don't know, they're like prefer to...
I'm convinced, that, yeah, they...
body language
end with a high, not a low!
to avoid
avoid saying 'I dunno'
use fluency markers & expressions, such as 'Let me think'
avoid over use of 'like'
use the same tense as used in the question by the examiner
use alternative expressions 'for example, for instance, such as, to name but one...'
avoid being vague or almost indifferent (and everything)
if stuck or have no inspiration - answer 5W questions
what?
where?
when?
who?
why?
softening phrases
when have nothing to say & need to gain time
To be honest
Actually
not to hurt people's feelings
I'm afraid
to show both sides
It depends what kind of ... / what you mean by
target levels
to show understanding of differences between formal & informal language = B1+
to be diplomatic = B2
preparation (part 2)
draft a mind map (~90 seconds)
underline keywords in the topic statement
focus on headings, then perhaps 1-2 key expressions per section
jot down a few convincing adjectives
deliver 3-minute argumentation
use synonyms of 'good', 'interesting', 'and'
focus on linguistic skills needed for the given task
use intensifiers & adjectives from AWL to sound convincing
pg 85 Describing an event
pg 8 describing 2 pictures
pg 85 Describing an event
candidate A only - keep candidate B for later practice
pg 202 pg 203
common topics
What is better: university or school of life?
Should individual means of transport be allowed only on even or odd days,
depending on the registration plate numbers of the vehicle?
Will on-line retail replace real-world shops?
Will public transport replace private transport?
Younger people tend to listen to the radio more than older age groups?
Is travelling abroad important for young people?
Why should students be a member of a club or students' society?
Can you slow down your life with technology?