IELTS Speaking – Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts in the Speaking Test

Do’s:

1. Listen carefully to the examiner’s questions and make sure you understand them before answering.
2. Speak clearly and confidently. Try to avoid using filler words like ‘umm’ and ‘ahh.’
3. Use a range of vocabulary and expressions to showcase your language skills.
4. Give detailed answers to the questions, including examples and explanations.
5. Use cohesive devices like linking words to connect your ideas together.
6. Be honest and don’t try to fake your answers. The examiner can spot this easily.
7. Use appropriate grammar and sentence structures to convey your ideas effectively.
8. Take the time to plan and organize your ideas before answering a question.
9. Ask the examiner to repeat or clarify a question if you didn’t understand it.
10. Practice speaking regularly to improve your fluency and pronunciation.

Don’ts:

1. Don’t memorize prepared answers. The examiner can easily tell if you are not answering the question asked.
2. Don’t speak too fast or too slow. Speak at a moderate pace, and try to enunciate each word clearly.
3. Don’t interrupt the examiner while they are speaking. Wait for them to finish before answering.
4. Don’t give one-word answers. Always try to give detailed and informative answers.
5. Don’t be too informal or use slang words. Use formal language appropriate for the context.
6. Don’t go off-topic or talk about irrelevant information.
7. Don’t use offensive or inappropriate language.
8. Don’t be too repetitive. Try to use different words and expressions to answer similar questions.
9. Don’t panic if you don’t know a word. Use synonyms or describe the word instead.
10. Don’t underestimate the importance of pronunciation and intonation. Practice speaking with correct pronunciation and intonation to improve your overall score.

 By following these do’s and don’ts, you can improve your chances of performing well in the IELTS speaking test.