How to practice for Ielts speaking test?

Question

Hi guys, currently I'm studying for IELTS speaking test and I really don't know how to practice for it. A little bit on my background: I have studied English for many years and I have no problem with expressing my ideas via writting. However, I rarely speak in English so it often takes me very long to process before I can speak, which is not good for my influency score.

Following some advice from the internet, I have tried to write my answers for the Ielt task 1 questions down and tried to remember them, but later I read Ms. Pauline Cullen's book named "The key to Ielts success", in which she wrote that we should not learn our answers by heart, as the examiner would notice and make us stop. As for me, I too am afraid that if I practice that way, when being asked a question I didn't study for I will not know how to answer spontaneously.

So I want to ask the English learners who have studied for Ielts, did the learning-by-heart method work for you? or do you know any more effective methods to practice answer questions spontaneously? Many thanks.

Moonrise · Accepted Answer

kimkim8450
Hi guys, currently I'm studying for IELTS speaking test and I really don't know how to practice for it. A little bit on my background: I have studied English for many years and I have no problem with expressing my ideas via writting. However, I rarely speak in English so it often takes me very long to process before I can speak, which is not good for my influency score.
Following some advice from the internet, I have tried to write my answers for the Ielt task 1 questions down and tried to remember them, but later I read Ms. Pauline Cullen's book named "The key to Ielts success", in which she wrote that we should not learn our answers by heart, as the examiner would notice and make us stop. As for me, I too am afraid that if I practice that way, when being asked a question I didn't study for I will not know how to answer spontaneously.
So I want to ask the English learners who have studied for Ielts, did the learning-by-heart method work for you? or do you know any more effective methods to practice answer questions spontaneously? Many thanks.

That's not accurate; as I know, they will not stop you for that reason. Don't worry. They may notice but they won't stop you and they shouldn't. During the test, they won't tell you that you're memorizing things either. They won't judge what you say. The only case that they could/would interrupt your talking is when the time is up, and that would be in your favor. Anyway, about memorizing your answers, I think you were talking about part 1 of the speaking test because in part 1, some questions are repeated. You could predict them.

but you couldn't memorize your whole answers in part 2 & 3 of the speaking test because originally you don't know what topic you will be given and the questions on it. So, in all cases, you need to prepare yourself on answering questions and developing ideas about different topics. Take a look at the following links:

https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-part-1-topics/

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/ielts/test-format/

IELTS Speaking Band 8.5 Sample Test with Feedback! - YouTube

How to practice for Ielts speaking test?

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