IELTS Speaking Overview
In today's lesson, we will explore the structure, timing, and scoring of IELTS Speaking.
1. What Is IELTS Speaking?
IELTS Speaking tests your ability to communicate in English through a face-to-face interview with an examiner. It lasts 11–14 minutes and has 3 parts.
- Part 1: Introduction & Interview (4–5 min)
- Part 2: Long Turn / Cue Card (3–4 min, including 1 min preparation)
- Part 3: Discussion (4–5 min)
🎯 Your goal: Speak naturally, clearly, and with confidence. Use varied vocabulary and grammar.
💥 2. Speaking Structure at a Glance
| Part | Duration | Focus | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 4–5 min | Personal questions | Answer briefly, be confident, use full sentences |
| Part 2 | 3–4 min | Cue card topic | Use preparation minute wisely, speak fluently, add examples |
| Part 3 | 4–5 min | Discussion & opinion | Give detailed answers, justify ideas, use advanced vocabulary |
P.s: Keep a steady pace and stay calm. Don’t rush or overthink your words.
Mini Challenge
“You have 1 minute to prepare for a Part 2 cue card. How would you structure your response?”
3. Band Descriptors
IELTS Speaking is scored based on Fluency & Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy, Pronunciation. Each criterion contributes equally to your Band Score (1–9).
| Band | Descriptor |
|---|---|
| 9 | Expert speaker, effortless communication |
| 8 | Very good, minor errors, fluent |
| 7 | Good, occasional hesitation, generally fluent |
| 6 | Competent, some inaccuracies, hesitant |
| 5 | Modest, frequent errors, limited vocabulary |
🎯 Aim for Band 7+ by practicing fluency, expanding vocabulary, and giving clear, detailed answers.
🌿 You Did It!
Congratulations, you’ve completed Lesson 1 of Summage Academy’s IELTS Speaking course.
Next up:
Lesson 2: Common Part 1 Topics