IELTS Speaking: Master the Interview
11-14 minutes, one examiner, three parts – the Speaking test is the only section that's always conducted face-to-face. Learn how to confidently impress.
The Three Speaking Parts
Simple questions about familiar topics
Typical Topics:
Tips:
- Answer in 2-4 sentences - don't be too brief!
- Extend your answers naturally
- Smile and stay relaxed
Example: Do you like cooking?
Yes, I like cooking.
Yes, I really enjoy cooking. I usually cook dinner every evening after work. It helps me relax after a busy day, and I love trying new recipes from different cuisines.
The 4 Assessment Criteria
Fluency & Coherence
25%Do you speak smoothly? Are your ideas logically connected?
Lexical Resource
25%Do you use varied and appropriate vocabulary?
Grammatical Range
25%Do you use different structures correctly?
Pronunciation
25%Are you clearly understood? Stress and intonation?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Too short answers
✅ Extend with examples and details
❌ Memorized answers
✅ Examiners spot this immediately - be natural!
❌ Too many pauses with "uh..." "um..."
✅ Use fillers like "Well...", "That's an interesting question..."
❌ Not covering all cue card points
✅ Check during Part 2 that you address everything
❌ Always starting with "I think"
✅ Vary: "In my opinion", "From my perspective", "I'd say"
❌ Talking about what you don't know
✅ Talk about what you know - improvise if needed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Practice Speaking with AI
Practice all three Speaking parts and get instant feedback on fluency, vocabulary, and grammar.