The IELTS Speaking test might seem challenging, but it’s actually a great opportunity to show off your English skills in a natural, conversational setting. With the right strategies and some practice, you can ace it! Here are some simple tips to help you feel confident and perform your best.

What is the IELTS speaking section?

Before we get into any tips, it’s worth running through the three main parts of the IELTS speaking section. 

  • Part one – this is where you answer questions about yourself and your family.
  • Part two – here, you will give a one-to-two-minute speech on a topic presented to you by the examiner.
  • Part three – you and the examiner will now have a longer discussion about the topic presented in part two. 

Now let’s look at the top tips for boosting your performance in the speaking section of your IELTS test. 

Be Yourself

The IELTS Speaking test isn’t about giving “perfect” answers—it’s about communicating clearly.

  • Treat it like a conversation.
  • Speak naturally and let your personality shine through.

Give Full Answers

Don’t just say “yes” or “no.” Always expand on your answers.
For example:

  • Question: “Do you enjoy reading?”
  • Short Answer: “Yes, I do.”
  • Better Answer: “Yes, I love reading, especially fiction novels. It helps me relax and sparks my imagination.”

Take Your Time

If you need a moment to think, that’s okay! Use phrases like:

  • “That’s an interesting question…”
  • “Let me think about that for a moment…”

This gives you time to organize your thoughts.

Practice Everyday Topics

Common topics include:

  • Your hometown
  • Family and friends
  • Work or studies
  • Travel and hobbies
    Practice talking about these topics so you feel more confident during the test.

Expand Your Vocabulary

Using a variety of words shows your range of English skills.

  • Instead of always saying “good,” try “fantastic,” “enjoyable,” or “rewarding.”
  • Practice using synonyms and descriptive language, but don’t overcomplicate things.

Focus on Fluency, Not Perfection

It’s better to speak naturally and make small mistakes than to pause a lot trying to be perfect.

Keep the conversation flowing.

If you make a mistake, correct yourself briefly and move on:

“I mean to say…”

Use Linking Words

These make your answers more organized and easier to follow:

  • Adding points: “Also,” “Moreover,” “In addition.”
  • Giving examples: “For instance,” “For example.”
  • Contrasting: “However,” “On the other hand.”
  • Concluding: “In conclusion,” “To sum up.”

Record yourself 

If you haven’t got the opportunity to practise with an English native speaker, you can still achieve a lot by practising on your own. How? By recording your practice sessions and evaluating yourself based on the four IELTS assessment criteria: fluency, lexical resource (your range of vocabulary), grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. 

Go over your recording to identify your weaknesses. Could you have used better vocabulary? How fluent were you? Could you have used more complex structures? How was your pronunciation? Work on your shortcomings until you produce a better recording.

Speak clearly and at a natural speed

Try not to rush your speech. Speaking too fast won’t improve your fluency score and could result in you making more mistakes. Instead, remain calm, speak clearly, and maintain your natural speed. And don’t worry about your accent; all accents are welcome in the IELTS test. Just ensure you pronounce your words correctly. 

Work on Pronunciation

Clear pronunciation is important. You don’t need an accent, but your speech should be understandable.

  • Practice speaking at a natural pace.
  • Stress key words to make your meaning clear.

Ask for Clarification if Needed

If you don’t understand a question, it’s okay to ask the examiner to repeat it:

  • “Could you repeat that, please?”
  • “I’m sorry, can you explain what you mean by…?”

It’s better to clarify than to guess.

Stay Calm and Confident

Nervousness is normal, but don’t let it control you.

  • Take a deep breath before you start.
  • Smile and make eye contact with the examiner. This can help you feel more relaxed.

Practice with a Partner

Speaking with someone else is one of the best ways to prepare.

  • Find a partner or join an online speaking group.
  • Practice asking and answering IELTS-style questions.

If you don’t have a partner, try recording yourself and listening for areas to improve.

Don’t memorise! 

Speaking section questions follow a common pattern. In part one, you’ll be asked about personal topics, like your hometown, job or hobbies. Part two focuses on your experiences, so you could be describing a place, person or object. Part three use a discussion about your opinions related to the topic from part two. 

While it certainly pays off equipping yourself with relevant vocabulary and common phrases and collocations (common word grouping), it’s important to avoid memorising large chunks of speech. Examiners are trained to identify memorised responses and will mark you down for this. 

Instead, I recommend studying topical vocabulary, by grouping words into categories, such as sport or film. This approach can also help you improve your vocabulary for other sections of the IELTS test – and the wider your vocabulary, the better your score! 

Final Thoughts

The IELTS Speaking test is your chance to show how well you can communicate in English. With practice, preparation, and a positive attitude, you’ll do great!

Remember, the examiner is there to help you succeed, so stay calm, speak naturally, and enjoy the conversation. Good luck! 😊