Ah yes, the IELTS Speaking test.
The only exam where a stranger asks you about your hobbies, your childhood, and your opinions on global issues… all within 11–14 minutes.
Relax. You’re not being interrogated. You’re just having a very structured, slightly awkward conversation. Let’s break it down — Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 — without losing our sanity.
Speaking Part 1: The Warm-Up (A.K.A. “Tell Me About Your Life”)
This is the friendly bit. The examiner asks about safe topics like:
Work or studies
Hobbies
Your hometown
Free time
Hint #1: Don’t answer like a robot.
Bad answer:
“Yes. I like music.”
Better answer:
“Yes, I really enjoy music, especially when I’m relaxing after work. I usually listen to it in the evening.”
You don’t need a speech — just one or two extra sentences. Think chatty, not TED Talk.
Hint #2: Be honest-ish.
You don’t need to become someone new. If you hate reading, don’t suddenly claim you love 18th-century literature. The examiner doesn’t care what you like — only how you talk about it.
Hint #3: This is not a trick.
If the examiner asks, “Do you like cooking?” they are not secretly judging your life choices. Just answer. No existential crisis required.
Speaking Part 2: The Long Turn (A.K.A. “Why Is One Minute So Short?”)
This is the famous cue card section. You get:
A topic
One minute to prepare
Two minutes to talk
Hint #4: USE THE PAPER.
That little piece of paper is your best friend. Write keywords, not full sentences.
Example:
who
where
why important
funny detail
If you try to write an essay, your brain will freeze. Trust me. I’ve seen it.
Hint #5: Keep talking — even if it’s nonsense (but grammatical nonsense).
If you finish early, don’t stop. Add:
a short story
a feeling
a reason
a dramatic pause followed by more talking
Silence is the enemy. Words are your weapon.
Hint #6: Nobody is timing you in real life.
If you practise at home and only talk for 1 minute 30 seconds, it’s fine. The goal is fluency, not perfection.
Speaking Part 3: The “Now Let’s Get Serious” Section
This is where things go deep. The examiner asks follow-up questions related to Part 2:
Society
Education
Technology
Change over time
Hint #7: You’re allowed to think.
You can say:
“That’s an interesting question.”
“I’ve never thought about that, but…”
That’s not cheating. That’s thinking in English, which is exactly what they want.
Hint #8: Give reasons, not magic opinions.
Bad answer:
“I think it’s good.”
Better answer:
“I think it’s beneficial because it helps people save time and communicate more easily.”
Opinion + reason = happy examiner.
Hint #9: You don’t need to be right.
You are not being tested on your knowledge of the world. If your opinion is simple but clear, that’s perfect. This is an English test, not a philosophy degree.
Final Speaking Survival Tips
Speak clearly, not quickly
Mistakes are normal — don’t apologise
Keep going, even if you mess up
Smile (it helps more than you think)
Remember: the examiner wants you to do well
And most importantly…
You are not being judged as a person.
Only your English is on trial here.
🎤 Think of IELTS Speaking as a conversation with rules — strange rules, yes — but still a conversation.
Practise, relax, and keep talking. You’ve got this.
