IELTS Speaking Tips: Strategies, Practice Topics & Preparation Guide

Anisha Agarwal logo

Anisha Agarwal

| Updated On - Sep 8, 2025

IELTS Speaking Highlights:

  • Fluency First: Focus on speaking naturally and fluently over using complex vocabulary. Practice speaking in English with friends and family members.
  • Expand Your Answers: Aim for detailed responses with 2-3 sentences and explanations in Tasks 2 and 3.
  • Don't Rush: Take your allocated time to think. Part three is all about the detailed discussion on the given topic in part two.
  • Keep it Simple: Avoid unfamiliar words you might mispronounce. Focus on accuracy while speaking.

Achieving a high IELTS Speaking score is always recommended for a successful application. Some universities set sectional score requirements according to their programs. The following IELTS speaking tips can help you improve your communication skills. You can also join coaching classes or online courses to get tips from experts. Your speaking preparation must include practising communication regularly by talking with family members and friends. Taking mock tests is also important to understand the question format and topics. The IELTS speaking test includes 3 tasks, and you will be allocated 11–14 minutes to complete this section. Prepare regularly with IELTS speaking test practice papers under timed conditions to improve your score range.

Speaking Tips

IELTS Exam Speaking Tips and Strategies

You need to practice speaking with fluency, focus on vocabulary, avoid grammatical errors, and ensure correct pronunciation. Effective IELTS speaking tips include talking regularly in English with friends and family members. Record your speaking, and then find mistakes in it. Here are some top IELTS speaking tips that will help you ace the exam preparation:

  • Speak naturally and fluently: Focus on clarity over complex vocabulary.
  • Practice talking with others: Talk in English to improve speaking skills and vocabulary.
  • Extend your answers: Aim for 2–3 sentences with explanations.
  • Use linking words: Connect your ideas clearly for a better structure.
  • Take your time: Don't rush, use phrases to buy time to think.
  • Simple is better: Avoid unfamiliar words you might mispronounce.
  • Vary your tone: Avoid monotone speech, and add emphasis to key points.
  • Skip the fillers: Avoid using "um," "like," and other fillers.
  • Smile and be confident: A positive attitude can improve your score.
  • Practice makes perfect: Utilize online resources for speaking practice.
  • Learn from samples: Analyze sample answers with explanations.
  • Don't get discouraged: Keep practising and improving your English level.

IELTS Speaking Topics

The IELTS speaking Task 1 is an interview or introduction, where the examiner will ask you some general questions about yourself. In Task 2, you will be given a cue card with a topic written on it. In Task 3, you will be required to have a detailed discussion on the given topic. You can refer to the list below to check some common topics of cue cards for IELTS speaking:

Common IELTS Speaking Topics
Birthdays Childhood
Hometown Home
Study Work
Technologies Art
Daily Routine Travelling
Family and Friends Internet
Hobbies Happiness
Foods Sports
TV Shopping
Dictionaries Newspapers

Understand IELTS Speaking Test Format

The IELTS speaking section has 3 tasks, and you will be allocated 11 - 14 minutes to complete them. It is important to understand the question pattern and topics before completing your IELTS registration. Questions for IELTS speaking contain different types of topics and evaluate your speaking proficiency in various situations. Effective IELTS speaking exam practice includes talking in English regularly, reading books, and solving sample papers. Check the table below to understand the speaking test format and timings:

Parts Allocated Time Contents
Part 1 4-5 minutes Introduce yourself. Answer questions on family, hometown, studies, work, hobbies, and more.
Part 2 3-4 minutes Speak at length on a given topic. The topic will be mentioned on a card.
Part 3 4-5 minutes Have a detailed discussion with the examiner on the topic given in Task 2.

IELTS Speaking Practice Books

Books are one of the best options for a structured study. The best IELTS speaking test books include updated study materials, sample papers, and speaking advice. Some books may contain questions and answers for better study and understanding. Here are some books you can refer to improve your IELTS preparation for the speaking section:

  • The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
  • IELTS Academic+General: Speaking by Career Launcher
  • IELTS Trainer 2 Academic: Six Practice Tests
  • Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7
  • Official IELTS Practice Materials 2 with DVD
  • Focus on IELTS Foundation Coursebook
  • Barron’s IELTS Superpack
  • A Masterpiece Of Speaking IELTS

Effectively following IELTS speaking tips can help you boost your preparation. Many Indian students considered the speaking section the hardest. You need to do regular practice with IELTS speaking test sample questions to understand the different types of questions and improve your speaking skills.

Also Read


FAQs

Ques: How can I improve my speaking skills in IELTS?

Ans: To improve speaking in IELTS, candidates need to practice a wide range of grammatical structures, avoid using fillers and unfamiliar words, and not memorize answers.

Ques: How can I get a good speaking score in IELTS Speaking?

Ans: To get a good speaking score in IELTS, candidates need a proper study plan, updated books, and regular practice with sample papers.

Ques: How can I succeed in IELTS speaking?

Ans: One can succeed in IELTS speaking by taking coaching classes and reading the best books. Following the IELTS speaking tips provided by experts can help to achieve a good score.

Ques: Why is IELTS speaking difficult?

Ans: Most of the students feel IELTS speaking is difficult because it’s a face-to-face discussion and involves checking the candidate's English grammar, pronunciation, and fluency.

Ques: How do I start the IELTS speaking test?

Ans: One can start speaking test practice by talking with family members and friends in English. Following the strategies and IELTS speaking tips by experts can help to ace the exam preparation.

Comments


No Comments To Show