The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Independent Learning Centre

LEARNER GUIDE: PREPARING FOR THE IELTS SPEAKING TEST

Strategies

Overview
There are three parts to the IELTS speaking test:
1. Structured interview: short questions on 2-3 personal / familiar topics (4-5mins)
2. Short talk: 2 minute talk on a given topic, with 1 minute preparation time (3-4 mins)
3. Free interview: more abstract and general questions on the topic in Part 2 (4-5 mins)

Your IELTS speaking score depends on your performance in four areas (each area is rated independently and
then the average band-score is calculated)
1. Fluency and coherence: pauses / backtracking; topic development / linking
2. Lexical resource: flexibility and precision of word choice, accuracy, naturalness
3. Grammatical range and accuracy: range of structures, number and effect of mistakes
4. Pronunciation: sounds, intonation, word stress, naturalness

Planning your Independent Study

Since IELTS Speaking is an oral test where you participate in an interview with an examiner, most of the
IELTS books do not have a very good coverage. However, they do provide some good practice questions.
Use up-to-date books to get practice questions and tips that are relevant for the most current version of the
IELTS test (Do not use books published before 2002-3 for the speaking test of IELTS). Get practice in actually
speaking aloud: planning your answers is only part of your overall performance. Also do your practice in ‘real
time’… it only matters what you can do without ‘preparation time’ during the live interview.

Practice Tips and Strategies

1. Work with a partner to practice your IELTS speaking: your partner can use some of the standard
questions out of practice books (see overleaf) to give you practice at interacting, and composing and
delivering answers to the examiner’s questions in real time.
2. Alternatively (or additionally) you can record yourself and play back afterwards to check how it sounds.
You need to do it in real time: in IELTS you do not have preparation time except in part 2.
3. Use the notes above to make a judgement of how you come across to the examiner. Try again but use
the assessment guidelines to improve one or two aspects of your answer.
4. Attend a consultation with an ILC counsellor and get some feedback on your speaking skills.
5. Use the online resource Road to IELTS. This is an on-line preparation course acquired by ILC that
includes language learning and also gives some tips on speaking with short video examples of each
strategy http://www.clarityenglish.com/area1/RoadToIELTS-Academic/CUN_Start.asp
 The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Independent Learning Centre

LEARNER GUIDE: PREPARING FOR THE IELTS SPEAKING TEST

Resources Selected and recommended library resources in the ILC (most of the books also have an
audio CD). Books marked UCI can be borrowed through the library system.

IELTS by Lougheed, L. (2006) Barrons

Very useful IELTS resource with tips and practice tests and speaking questions. PE1128.L6436 (UCI)

Action Plan for IELTS by V. Jakeman and C. McDowell (2006) Cambridge University Press
A good book for tips and strategies on all aspects of IELTS but does not contain a lot of practice material for
the speaking test PE1128.J334 (UCI)

IELTS Testbuilder by S. McCarter & J. Ash (2003) Macmillian

The speaking tests contains concise information and some useful practice questions. Good quick reference
book. PE1128.M3279 (UCI)

Instant IELTS by Brook-Hart, G. (2004) Cambridge University Press

Some useful speaking tasks in the back for practicing with a partner, or for recording on mp3 and giving
yourself some practice. PE1128.B757 (UCI)

Step up to IELTS by V. Jakeman and C. McDowell (2004) Cambridge University Press

This is a course book with language activities suitable for those who want to spend some time developing
their language skills as distinct from becoming familiar with IELTS strategies and tips. PE1128.J35 (UCI) &UL

Cambridge IELTS 4 Examination papers from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (2005)
PE1128.C3563 (UCI) These are the official test information materials from the owners of the IELTS test.

Tools for IELTS: IELTS Speaking by Ball, W. & Bartholomeou, J. (2006) PE1128.L586
Audio CD with sample tests and practice tests for you to record your own answers. Useful although the format
is somewhat artificial.

Online (see also the resource in practice tips of the previous page)
The Official IELTS website is at http://www.ielts.org/
The Official CEPAS Site for university students in Hong Kong is http://www.ugccepa.com/200708/index.asp

Consultation Advice Arrange an appointment by calling 2609 8733. You can see consultation times
each week at http://www.ilc.cuhk.edu.hk/english/index.htm. Make sure you bring samples of your work or a
plan to discuss in the 20 minute consultation.