Many students aim to achieve a band 7 or higher in the IELTS Speaking test. Thus, they look for workable IELTS Speaking Tips.
WELL.
This post will ACTUALLY help you in the best way possible. TRUST!
However, many candidates often find themselves stuck at band 6 or 6.5, even after multiple attempts. In this blog, we’ll explain what you must do to achieve at least a band 7, focusing on the four IELTS Speaking criteria.
We’ll also explain why some students remain stuck at 6.5 and how you can overcome that. Don’t worry; we’ll keep things simple and provide clear examples to help you understand how to improve. The IELTS Speaking Tips are the sureshot mantra for success, only if you are COMMITTED to work on your weaknesses.
We have been doing this because we have helped countless students move from 6.5 Bands in Speaking/Writing to 7 Bands in Speaking/Writing. However, this post will only focus on speaking; we have written a different post for writing.
Remember ..
Good and effective communication is an art. If you excel in this art, the world is yours.
HOW?
Look at all the influential leaders who communicated so effectively that the world listened to them. They will be remembered until the sun remains.
EXAMPLE? Steve Jobs
His address during the iPhone launch changed the entire tech industry and even the world we know today. It made Apple the most powerful force to reckon with, and even though he is long gone from this world, he is still revered as the most influential leader in tech.
Steve had a massive leverage of powerful and effective communication. He was a speaker the world loved listening to. Listen to his life-changing Speech called ‘Three Dots of my Life” at Stanford University.
Now let’s talk about why many Students Get Stuck at Band 6.5.
One of the main reasons students remain stuck at 6.5 is a lack of balance. They might be good in some areas (like fluency) but struggle in others (like pronunciation or grammar). Band 7 requires you to perform consistently well across all four criteria.
Another reason is that many students don’t use enough natural-sounding English, such as idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs, which are crucial for band 7.
Sadly, they listen to the advice of the so-called experts on the internet and follow them diligently without asking any critical questions. Remember, blind faith is a dead end.
Sometimes, when we get such students, especially General training aspirants who are stuck at 6.5 bands even after multiple attempts, we usually follow a pattern. They all make mostly the same mistakes. Listening to wrong advice.
Punjab has thousands of IELTS coaching centres because they see students as cash cows. They charge exorbitant fees yet give poor teaching in return. They make reels, use money to boost their reach, and fish more gullible students.
Not only are such IELTS Centres criminals, but students who don’t research before enrolling in such places are also at fault.
Often, students have a victim mentality. If they fail the exam, even after studying there for months or years, they see such IELTS coaching institutes as scams but never feel they should have left that place after taking a demo or a month.
But NO.
They are too comfortable with the environment because they are busy gossiping and playing fun activities at such places, rather than improving their English skills.
Moreover, the funny thing is that we have very few expert IELTS teachers, yet most IELTS institutes claim to house the best faculty.
Now you Understand Why you are Stuck at 6.5 Bands.
Additionally, some candidates give overly simple answers, which limits their chances of showcasing a wider range of vocabulary and grammar. Lastly, nervousness can make candidates hesitate too much, reducing fluency.
IELTS Speaking Tips: The Four IELTS Speaking Criteria and How to Improve
1. Fluency and Coherence
This means you should be able to speak smoothly and organize your ideas logically. Avoid long pauses, repeating the exact phrases, or giving off-topic answers. BE NATURAL!
How to Improve:
- Speak Naturally: Imagine you’re having a friendly conversation. Don’t try to memorize answers, as that will make you sound robotic. Also, observe how you speak in your mother tongue. You have to be natural when communicating in English.
- Expand Your Answers: Instead of giving one-word or very short answers, add details. For example:
Q: “What do you do in your free time?”
Band 6 answer: “I read books.”
Band 7 answer: “I love reading books, especially mystery novels. I enjoy solving the puzzles in the stories—it feels like an adventure.” - Use Linking Words: Words like “however, therefore, because, and in addition to” help make your answer coherent. For instance:
“I enjoy reading mystery novels because they are exciting. In addition, they help improve my vocabulary.”
2. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
To score band 7, you need to show a good range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions, collocations, and phrasal verbs. But don’t use complex words unnecessarily. Remember, always use topic-specific vocabulary.
Many IELTS teachers give their students a long list of fancy words to cram and force them to fit them into their speaking to sound smart and native. WHAT?
That’s one of the dumbest pieces of advice you can hear. DON’T LISTEN TO SUCH SCAMMERS! They have nothing to offer, so they brainwash the students to milk them for money. Ultimately, students lose money, time, effort, hope, and dreams.
How to Improve:
- Use Idiomatic Expressions: These make your speech sound natural. For example:
- Instead of “I’m very happy,” say “I’m over the moon.”
- Instead of “It’s easy,” say “It’s a piece of cake.”
- Practice Phrasal Verbs: These are common in everyday English. For instance:
- “I take after my mother in terms of personality.”
- “I need to brush up on my writing skills before the exam.”
- Learn Topic-Specific Vocabulary: Prepare for common IELTS topics like hobbies, travel, work, and education. For example:
- Hobbies: “In my free time, I dabble in painting.”
- Travel: “I enjoy exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations.”
Remember, use them sparingly to sound natural. Watch English movies, TV series, and podcasts to understand native English speakers.
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
This refers to how well you use grammar. To score band 7, you need a mix of simple and complex sentences with few errors.
Most students sound so limited. They keep using Simple sentences and have little to no variation. This will NEVER help you to score a minimum Band 7 in the speaking test.
Work on sentence variations.
How to Improve:
- Mix Sentence Types: Use both simple and complex sentences. For example:
Simple: “I love playing cricket.”
Complex: “I love playing cricket because it helps me stay fit and teaches me teamwork.” - Avoid Repetitive Mistakes: Identify common errors in your grammar (e.g., articles, tenses) and fix them. For instance:
- Incorrect: “I am working here since two years.”
- Correct: “I have been working here for two years.”
- Use Conditionals and Comparisons:
- “If I had more free time, I would learn to play the guitar.”
- “I think learning online is more convenient than attending classes in person.”
4. Pronunciation
Pronunciation doesn’t mean you need a perfect British or American accent. It’s about being clear and easy to understand.
The funny thing is, so-called IELTS institutes and teachers often brainwash students to sound like a native. IT’s IMPOSSIBLE to change your ACCENT.
IELTS understands it perfectly. IELTS is an exam for ESL (English as a Second Language) students.
MOREOVER …
IELTS knows that you are, for example, from Punjab, so you will sound a bit Punjabi in English.
AND….
The Pronunciation Parameter DOESN’T TALK about developing a NATIVE ENGLISH ACCENT.
How to Improve:
- Stress and Intonation: Stress important words in your sentence. For example:
- “I absolutely love playing the piano.”
- Practice Problem Sounds: Identify sounds you struggle with (e.g., th in think or v in very) and practice them.
- Pause Naturally: Don’t rush through your sentences. Pausing at the right places makes you sound confident and clear.
Practical Tips for Band 7 in Speaking
- Record Yourself: Listen to your own answers and identify areas for improvement.
- Use a Study Partner: Practice with someone who can give you feedback.
- Simulate the Test: Practice answering questions under timed conditions.
- Learn to Paraphrase: Don’t repeat the question in your answers. For example:
- Question: “Do you like traveling?”
- Instead of saying: “Yes, I like traveling,” say: “Yes, I love exploring new places.”
- Stay Calm: Nervousness can hurt your fluency. Take deep breaths and think of the examiner as a friend.
Example Answers for Band 7
Question: “Describe a time when you helped someone.”
Answer: “Last month, I helped my younger sister with her homework. She was struggling with mathematics, so I sat down with her and explained the concepts step by step. It felt rewarding to see her understand and gain confidence. In the end, she even managed to score well on her test. I believe helping others strengthens relationships and gives a sense of fulfillment.”
This is just an example. We offer FREE band 7+ Speaking Samples for students to read on our website. The answers are developed using all 4 Speaking Parameters to help students understand the IELTS in the best way possible.
By focusing on these four criteria and practicing consistently, you can break through the band 6.5 barrier and score at least band 7. Remember, the key is to sound natural, organized, and confident. Work on the above given IELTS Speaking Tips until you become really good. Good luck!
REMEMBER…
The right guidance and teaching can help you score your desired band in the IELTS test. Take action now!
We have been offering IELTS Online Tests for Practice. Occasionally, we publish Band 9 Speaking and Writing samples to help students in their IELTS journey.
Moreover, we also offer online IELTS coaching that helps to jump from Band 4 to Band 7 in the best way possible. All the videos are developed according to IELTS parameters.
Voxcel aims to impart not only world-class IELTS coaching but also we look forward to develop the overall personality of our students.