The Speaking
test is a face-to-face interview between the candidate and an
examiner. The Speaking test is recorded.
There are
three parts to the test, and each part follows a specific pattern of tasks in
order to test your speaking ability in different ways.
Marking
Certificated IELTS examiners
assess your speaking performance throughout the test. There are four assessment
criteria (things which the examiner thinks about when deciding what score to
give you):
- - Fluency and coherence
- - Lexical resource
- - Grammatical range and accuracy
- - Pronunciation.
Fluency and
coherence assesses how well you can speak at a normal speed without too
much hesitation. It also includes putting your sentences and ideas in a logical
order and using cohesive devices (including linking words, pronouns and
conjunctions, etc.) appropriately so that what you say is not difficult to
follow.
Lexical
resource assesses the range of vocabulary you use and how accurately and
appropriately you use vocabulary to express meaning. It also includes the
ability to express yourself using alternative vocabulary when you don’t know a
particular word.
Grammatical
range and accuracy assesses the range of grammar you use and how
accurately and appropriately you use it.
Pronunciation assesses
your ability to speak in a way which can be understood without too much effort.
Summary
Time
allowed:
|
11–14
minutes
|
Number of
parts:
|
3
|
Parts 1–3
Part 1 –
Introduction and interview
What's
involved?
|
In this
part, the examiner introduces him/herself and checks your identity. Then the
examiner asks you general questions on some familiar topics, such as home,
family, work, studies or interests.
Part 1 is
4–5 minutes long.
|
What
skills are tested?
|
This part
tests your ability to give opinions and information on everyday topics and
common experiences or situations by answering a range of questions.
|
Part 2 –
Long turn
What's
involved?
|
Part 2 is
the individual long turn. The examiner gives you a task card which asks you
to talk about a particular topic. The card tells you what points you should
include in your talk and instructs you to explain one aspect of the topic.
You have one minute to prepare your talk, and the examiner will give you a
pencil and paper to make notes.
By using
the points on the task card and making notes during the preparation time, you
should be able to think of appropriate things to say, and have time to
structure your talk so that you keep talking for 2 minutes.
The
examiner will then ask you to begin talking and will stop you when the time
is up. They may then ask you one or two questions on the same topic.
Part 2
lasts 3–4 minutes, including the preparation time.
|
What
skills are tested?
|
This part
tests your ability to speak at length on a given topic, using appropriate
language and organizing your ideas logically. You will need to think about
your own experiences to complete the long turn.
|
Part 3 –
Discussion
What's
involved?
|
In Part 3,
you and the examiner discuss issues related to the topic in Part 2 in a more
general and abstract way and, where appropriate, in greater depth.
Part 3
lasts 4–5 minutes.
|
What
skills are tested?
|
This part
tests your ability to explain your opinions and to analyse, discuss and
speculate about issues
|
The above article is taken from the IELTS British Council website and nothing has been edited to provide you with the clear and most obvious information.
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