Simone Braverman

Are you preparing to take the IELTS test in 2024? Many students find Writing and Speaking to be the harder skills to master, so here some effective strategies to help you tackle the test with confidence and ensure a Band 7 in the Speaking module.

Important facts about the IELTS Marking Criteria

Before diving into the preparation strategies for the IELTS Speaking test, it’s crucial to understand the assessment criteria that determine your overall band score.

The Speaking examiners use four criteria to mark your test: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource (Vocabulary), Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. Each criterion is equally weighted, and to achieve a Band 7 in the Speaking test, you must get a Band 7 in each individual criterion. With this in mind, here are the most effective ways to make sure your preparation is as focused and effective as it can be.

1. Podcasts to Improve Your Pronunciation and Vocabulary

Podcasts are a goldmine for rapidly improving your pronunciation and expanding your vocabulary. Listening to native speakers articulate words and phrases and repeating after them (a technique called ‘shadowing’) can significantly lift your pronunciation. Choose podcasts that cover a range of topics and get the double benefit of working on your pronunciation and vocab at the same time!

While listening, pay close attention to the intonation, stress, and rhythm of the speakers. Mimic their pronunciation to enhance your spoken English. Additionally, podcasts introduce you to new words and expressions in context – use them when you answer IELTS Speaking questions.

2. Guidance from a Teacher to Speed Up Your Progress

Since it’s hard to self-assess your Speaking and self-diagnose the issues stopping you from scoring a band 7, enlisting the help of a skilled teacher can be a game-changer. Working one-on-one with a teacher allows you to receive personalised feedback on your pronunciation, grammar, and fluency.

Teachers are great at identifying specific areas where you struggle and providing personalised strategies for improvement. A teacher’s expertise can pinpoint your weaknesses and guide you towards substantial progress much faster than trying to do it yourself.

3. Speaking Club as Your Daily Practice Routine

Consistent practice is key to mastering any skill and it will work wonders for your IELTS Speaking test. Your confidence will quickly increase and you will become much more comfortable with answering the test questions. You will quickly discover areas for improvement and be able to address any issues prior to your exam. Needless to say your initial hesitation, nerves and fear of speaking will dissipate and you will start enjoying having conversations in English.

4. IELTS-Blog.com VIP Club for Topic-specific Vocabulary

Staying updated on the latest trends and questions asked in the IELTS Speaking test is crucial. The IELTS-Blog.com VIP Club is a unique website for accessing specific vocabulary tailored to the most recent test questions. Regularly visit the VIP Club to stay up to date and, as many of our VIP members, you could get a surprisingly high number of questions you already studied for, in your real test!

The VIP Club provides daily insights into the latest topics and trends, helping you prepare for potential questions. It will supply you with the right vocabulary and allow you to feel more confident talking on any topic you may get in the real test.