Basic Idea About IELTS examination Part 3: Speaking
What is the IELTS Speaking test?
This topic looks at the distinctive IELTS face-to-face Speaking test. This test is the same for both the Academic and General Training tests.
Objectives of this topic:
- understand the format of the Speaking test
- understand the criteria on which the Speaking test is marked by becoming familiar with the public version of the IELTS assessment criteria
- listen to parts of the test and understand the speaking proficiency required to achieve a certain band score level
The Speaking test takes between 11 and 14 minutes and consists of an interview between the test taker and a trained and certified examiner.
Part 1: Introduction and interview
Test takers answer general questions about themselves and a range of familiar topics, such as their home, family, work, studies and interests. (4-5 minutes)
Part 2: Individual long term
Test takers are given a card which asks them to talk about a particular topic. They have one minute to prepare before speaking up to two minutes. The examiner may then ask one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test. (3-4 minutes)
Example 1: Describe a teacher who has greatly influenced you in your education.
You could say: where you met them, what subject they taught, what was special about them and explain why this person influenced you so much.
Example 2: Describe an email you received which was very important to you.
You could say: when you received it, who sent it, what it was about and explain why it was important to you.
You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
Part 3
Test takers are asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions give the test taker an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas. (4-5 minutes).
How are bandscores awarded for Speaking?
The criteria below describe the attributes examiners use to assess the Speaking test. Examiners use a set of very detailed Speaking Assessment Criteria (PDF, 37KB) for these areas. Please take some time to read this now so you can begin to try and assess the band level of the four test taker examples that follow.
Criterion 1: Fluency and coherence refers to the ability to talk with normal levels of continuity, rate and effort and to link ideas and language together to form coherent, connected speech.
The key indicators of fluency are speech rate and speech continuity.
The key indicators of coherence are logical sequencing of sentences; clear marking of stages in a discussion, narration or argument; and the use of cohesive devices (e.g. connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) within and between sentences.
Criterion 2: Lexical resource refers to the range of vocabulary the test taker can use and the precision with which meanings and attitudes can be expressed.
They key indicators are the variety of words used, the adequacy and appropriacy of the words used and the ability to circumlocute (get around a vocabulary gap by using other words) with or without noticeable hestitation.
Criterion 3: Grammatical range and accuracy refers to the range and the accurate and appropriate use of the test taker's grammatical resource.
The key indicators of grammatical range are the length and complexity of the spoken sentences, the appropriate use of subordinate clauses, and the range of sentence structures, especially to move elements around for information focus.
The key indicators of grammatical accuracy are the number of grammatical errors in a given amount of speech and communicative effect of error.
Criterion 4: Pronunciation refers to the ability to produce comprehensible speech to fulfill the Speaking test requirements.
The key indicators will be the amount of strain caused to the listener, the amount of the speech which is unintelligible and the noticeability of influence from the test taker's first language.
© IELTS.org
Comments
Post a Comment