Keep Talking and Be Positive– IELTS Speaking Test

First impressions are very important, the speaking test will last a maximum of 15 minutes; you don’t have enough time to change a bad impression.  The first part of the speaking test is where the examiner will be asking personal questions about the candidate; when answering, be as informative, descriptive and positive as you can be.

Do not answer with a simple yes or no to a question and wait for the next one.  Try to be as helpful as you can by providing additional information; if your interviewer asks about your house, don’t just give the address and wait for the next question to come; describe the house, the color, the levels, rooms and bathrooms. Keep talking until the interviewer either stops you or ask a follow up question.

When describing anything or anyone, try to be as positive as you can be. Focus on the positive aspect of whatever it is you are trying to describe, tell your story in a more
positive light.  If the interviewer asked about a sibling and it just so happen that you had a fight with your sibling, try not to focus on how irritating your brother or your sister can be and focus on what you like about your sister.

The reason we want to be as helpful and as positive as we can be during the IELTS speaking test is simple. It may affect how the interviewer sees us and thus affect the score we are given; examiners aren’t supposed to base the score on how they feel or think about you, but they are human and they are not exempt from having emotions, let us use it to our advantage.

Look at it this way, if a man was asked to describe a woman he likes, he will notice and remember all the positive things about the woman; but if the man was asked to describe a woman he dislikes, the response will of course be the opposite.  The examiner will hopefully focus on the positive aspect of your speaking, instead of trying to find errors.

To find out what to expect from the IELTS Speaking test click here

For other speaking tips check the Speaking Category