Introduction: The speaking section of the IELTS exam can be challenging, especially for non-native English speakers. Part 2 of the speaking test, in particular, requires candidates to speak fluently and coherently on a given topic for up to two minutes. This can be daunting, but there are techniques that students can use to sound more natural and confident during the test. In this article, we will explore four essential techniques that will help you excel in IELTS Part 2: avoiding hesitation, repeating yourself, providing details, and using synonyms.
From here, you can proceed to discuss each technique in detail and provide examples to illustrate how students can apply them during the speaking test.
- To avoid hesitation:
In order to avoid hesitation, students can use filler words or phrases to give themselves time to think. For example:
- Well, let me think...
- Hmm, that's a good question...
- Actually, I'm not sure...
By using these phrases, students can give themselves a moment to gather their thoughts before answering a question.
- To repeat something they have already spoken:
Sometimes students might want to repeat something they've already said to emphasize its importance or to clarify a point. For example:
- As I mentioned earlier...
- To reiterate what I said before...
- In other words...
By repeating themselves, students can ensure that their message is clear and that their point has been made.
- If they forget a detail when describing something:
If a student forgets a detail when describing something, they can use phrases to indicate that they're not sure about a specific detail. For example:
- I can't remember exactly, but...
- I'm not sure of the details, but I think...
- I'm a bit hazy on this, but I believe...
By acknowledging that they don't remember a specific detail, students can avoid providing incorrect information.
- If they cannot remember the exact English word for something:
If a student cannot remember the exact English word for something, they can use descriptive language to explain what they mean. For example:
- It's like a small machine that you use to mix things together... a handheld...
- The thing that you use to open a bottle... you know, it has a metal spiral and a handle...
- It's a place where you can buy food and other things... it's usually large and has many different sections...
By using descriptive language, students can communicate their ideas effectively even if they cannot remember the exact word for something.