Written by Gabriela Estrada

When preparing for an exam such as the IELTS, one of the most important strategies is to have a thorough understanding of what is contained in the speaking test (speaking). In this test, a face-to-face interview is conducted between the candidate and an examiner. This test consists of three parts and checks your ability to speak in different ways; two of the skills that will be meticulously evaluated are fluency and coherence. fluency and coherence, two of the skills that will be meticulously evaluated are fluency and coherence, something that becomes evident very quickly from the first answers. Now, how do you prepare yourself so that you don't falter when you start? Here's how.

In today's blog, you'll get tips on how to improve your speaking skills. (speaking) skills, This includes developing topics fully and appropriately, avoiding repetition, speaking without hesitation and many more strategies to make the IELTS interview successful and secure future employment. Let's get started!

The interview: section Speaking (oral expression)

The section Speaking section consists of a face-to-face face-to-face conversation with a certified IELTS examiner, allowing a more natural and dynamicThis allows for a more natural and dynamic assessment of your oral communication skills. This section lasts between 11 to 14 minutes and is divided into three parts:

• Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)

• Thematic monologue (3-4 minutes, including preparation)

• In-depth discussion (4-5 minutes)

What exactly does the examiner look for in the Speaking?

• Fluency and coherence, to evaluate how loose and connected your speech is.
• Lexical resources, to assess the range and accuracy of their vocabulary.
• Grammatical range and accuracy, to evaluate the variety and correctness of their grammatical structures.
• Pronunciation, to evaluate how clear and understandable your pronunciation is.

Tips for a good IELTS interview

Here are ways to approach the different questions with a clear focus.

• Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)

In this part, the examiner introduces himself or herself, verifies your identity, and asks you general questions about everyday and familiar topics. Think about your home, family, work or studies, interests, hobbies, or your city.

What is it for? 

It serves to warm you up and the examiner assesses your ability to give information and opinions on familiar topics in a clear and coherent manner. This is your chance to make an excellent first impression!

For example: 

• What is your favorite hobby?
• "I really enjoy reading books, especially mystery and suspense. I've been an avid reader since I was a kid and it helps me relax and unwind after a long day."

Strategies and tips:

• Develop the topics in depth, i.e., mention specific literary genres to provide a detailed response.
• Avoid repetition and hesitation.
• The answer should flow without awkward pauses.
• Use connectors and discourse markers, phrases such as "especially" and "after a long day" help connect ideas.

• Thematic monologue (3-4 minutes, including preparation)

In this part, you will receive a "task card (task card) with a specific topic for you to talk about. You will have one minute to prepare your your ideas and take notes, and then you will speak for 1 to 2 minutes without interruption. Afterwards, the examiner may ask you one or two quick questions related to the topic.

What is it for? 

Here they are assessed on their ability to speak extensively and coherently on a given topic, organize their ideas logically and use a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures.

For example:

Describe a memorable vacation you have had. "Last summer, I went on a trip to the mountains with my family. It was an unforgettable vacation because we spent a lot of time together, exploring nature, hiking and even camping under the stars. I still remember the fresh mountain air and the beautiful scenery. It was a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city."

Strategies and tips:

• Develop the topics fully and appropriately, i.e., provide specific details about the activities you performed.
• Avoid repetition of the same word, rather use synonyms such as "vacation", "trip" and "getaway".
• Speak without hesitation, your response should be coherent and fluid.
• Interrelate your sentences with the use of descriptive language to connect ideas fluently.
• Phrases such as "because," "I still remember," and "even" help to maintain consistency.

• In-depth discussion (4-5 minutes)

This is the most challenging part - the debate part! The examiner will expand on the topic of Part 2, asking more abstract and complex questions that require you to justify your opinions, compare, contrast and speculate.

What is it for? 

To assess their ability to express and justify opinions, analyze and debate complex issues, and use more sophisticated language.

Some common themes are the social, cultural or future implications of the topic; general trends; advantages and disadvantages; or their views on broader issues.

For example:

• How do you think tourism affects the environment? 

• "Tourism has both positive and negative impacts on the environment. On the one hand, it can raise awareness about environmental conservation and generate funds for the protection of natural sites. However, the negative effects can be significant, such as pollution, habitat destruction and increased carbon emissions from transportation. It is crucial that governments and tourists work together to minimize these adverse effects and promote sustainable tourism practices.

Strategies and tips:

• Develop the issues in depth by analyzing both positive and negative impacts, offering a balanced perspective.
• Avoid repetition of the same word, rather use varied vocabulary such as "impacts", "effects" and "adverse".
• Speak carefully to avoid hesitation and prepare a well-organized and fluent response.
• Use connectors and discourse markers, with words such as "however", "for example" and "it is crucial" to structure the answer.

Success in the section Speaking IELTS, success in a job interview

Mastering the section Speaking section of the IELTS test is a plus for real-life situations, especially the job interview in Canada, where employers value fluency, coherence, vocabulary richness and grammatical accuracy.

A job interview is essentially a high-level conversation where your ability to express yourself fluently and accurately can make or break you. The IELTS interview is a simulation of professional conversations that serves as a prelude to articulating your ideas under pressure and presenting your best self as you would in front of your future employer. Let's look at two job interview scenarios, focusing on a candidate who prepared for the IELTS interview beforehand and a candidate who did not.

Interview of candidate with English language skills (no IELTS interview preparation)

Recruiter: Wow, according to your CV, you are fluent in Spanish and English. Just what the company needs for new international clients.

Interviewer: "Could you tell us something about yourself?"

Candidate: "Yes, yes. It took me a while to try to apply all the grammar I learned. Something with 'Do'... It's been so long since I studied! Everything was perfect! I think you can learn fast." (Interviewer frowns, detecting insecurity and grammatical confusion).

Interviewer: "What are some of your hobbies and interests?"

Candidate: "I love movies. Yeah, yeah, like Iron Man, yeah, 'The Iron Man,' remember?" (Interviewer discreetly taps his forehead). "I also like Korean series. Because Korean and Korean and I couldn't reach them..." (Interviewer fakes a laugh).

Interviewer: "What is your favorite word in English?"

Candidate: "My favorite word is. Focus". (Candidate pronounces it with a very thick accent that makes it difficult to recognize immediately). "I always... focus on my work. It is my focus, yes. I've been studying for five years, and this... this is my... my speech, it's... it's very advanced, very elegant, you know? My work! No doubt!". (The examiner, while noting the effort, notices the lack of fluency, repetitions and poor pronunciation that prevent clear communication).

Interviewer: "Thank you very much for your time. Don't call us, we'll call you back." (A polite phrase that, at heart, is a resounding "no").

IELTS prepared candidate interview with Planeta Immiland

Now, let's look at the candidate who has had a focused and practical preparation at the interview with our IELTS preparation course:

Interviewer: "Could you tell us something about yourself?"

Candidate: "Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is [Your name] and I bring over [number] years of professional experience in the field of project management, where my background has focused on developing innovative strategies and process optimization." (The response is fluid, professional and structured, leaving an excellent first impression).

Interviewer: "What are some of your hobbies and interests?"

Candidate: "In my spare time, I have various hobbies and interests that help me maintain a well-rounded lifestyle and fuel my creativity. First, I am passionate about reading contemporary literature, especially historical novels, which allows me to broaden my cultural perspective..." (The response is articulate, shows varied interests, and communicates naturally and confidently).

Interviewer: "What is your favorite word in English?"

Candidate: "Meticulous. I identify with it because I am meticulous in my approach to project management, and I ensure that every detail is considered and executed with precision. I believe this quality is critical to ensuring high-quality results." (An answer he not only pronounces correctly, but also justifies it professionally and linked to his job skills).

Interviewer: "Your extensive knowledge, innovative ideas and exceptional communication skills were evident throughout the interview process - congratulations and welcome to our company!" (Clarity, fluency and accuracy make the difference between a missed opportunity and a fresh start).

These two scenarios reflect a common reality in today's working world, especially in a migration process to Canada, where your command of English goes beyond grammar. Speaking is about confidence, fluency and the ability to present your ideas with professionalism and clarity in real-life contexts.

At Planeta Immilandwe have English courses focused on the student's objectives. From beginner to advanced programs, we also prepare you to take the IELTS exam with great chances of success in both score and fluency to speak it at work, in the academy and in real situations of Canadian life.

If you would like to learn about the IELTS preparation program and get excellent results, click on: https://www.planeta-immiland-education.com/examenes-internacionales.

Learn more about our English and French language school for immigration purposes for Canada at https://www.planeta-immiland-education.com/

I hope this topic will be of great help to be successful in your next interview in English. Thank you very much for reading, see you soon!

With love, 

Planeta Immiland Education