How to Tackle the IELTS Speaking Section?

Getting a degree from abroad has become a common trend these days. With Canada being one of the leading nations to welcome international students, Canada’s demand for study visas has increased considerably. The visa consultancy services often require a standardized English proficiency test to acquire the permit. 

Being one of the leading evaluation systems, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) can be challenging. It is a requirement to examine the extent of candidates’ knowledge from non-English speaking countries. The test gets divided into four major sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. It is conducted 48 times a year, giving ample preparation for the examinee.

Why opt for IELTS?

Every visa consultancy service has specific preferences for proficiency tests. For applicants planning to move to Canada, the IELTS is one of the best options. First off, the exam is conducted jointly by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English, making it renowned worldwide. Secondly, applicants can appear for the test either online or offline. In the case of online mode, the applicant has the luxury of choosing from multiple date options based on their preference.

Candidates can also appear for the examination offline. They will have to choose an examination center and a date based on the availability of seats. However, irrespective of the exam mode, the speaking section of IELTS is a face-to-face interview. A trained IELTS examiner will be in charge of the interview. The results for the online mode are published within 3 to 4 days, and for offline, it takes about 13 days.

The Registration Processes:

Registering for the IELTS is a very hassle-free process. Note the steps for the same:

• Visit the IELTS website
• Go to the ‘Register for IELTS’ option
• Choose the preferred mode and test module
• Select a city for appearing in the exam
• Choose from the available dates
• Pay the registration fee using the available online payment method
• Receive instant confirmation

Speaking Section:

One of the things that candidates find most challenging is the speaking section of the test. The first step of good communication is listening carefully to comprehend and respond. It can be daunting to tackle this critical section. These are some tips that will help make your journey smoother for those aspiring for a study visa in Canada. 

The Three Major Stages in the Speaking Section for IELTS:

Stage 1: Introduction:

Firstly, an introductory base is created to set the tone of the conversation between the examiner and the examinee. The examiner may ask you to describe yourself and your family to develop this understanding. Apart from these, your interests, hobbies, and reasons for taking the IELTS are some of the commonly asked questions.

Stage 2: Briefing:

During this face-to-face interview stage, the examinee is provided with a task card. It will include a topic along with some necessary pointers. Then, the examinee will be provided with a minute to prepare for the mentioned topic. Followed by this, they will have to speak on it for about 4 to 5 minutes. Failing to include the mentioned pointer and abiding by the stipulated time while speaking can result in the deduction of marks by the examiner. Listed below are some of the probable topics:

Ø Favourite place or a short trip

Ø A beloved book or movie

Ø A role model and their personality

Ø An experience of trying out new cuisine

Stage 3: Discussion:

This is the final and most crucial stage for the IELTS speaking section. The examinee will be asked to elaborate on the given topic in this round. As this is a discussion round, the interview will judge the in-depth understanding of the applicant and the ability to convey it precisely. This round can also include a question-and-answer session based on the aforementioned topic.

Notes to Remember While Preparing for the IELTS Speaking Section:

• Create a schedule before the exam
• Allocate a separate amount of time to prepare for each section, especially for the speaking section
• Go through the English new reports and interview to get a better grip of the speaking tones expected
• Practice speaking in English to people who are fluent in the language in the days preceding the exam
• There will always be grounds for improvement, so ask for feedback after every detailed conversation
• Check out the mock exams and practice papers available online to get a better understanding of the structure of the questions asked

Conclusion:

Due to increased demand in recent years, getting hold of a study visa in Canada can be quite a strenuous job without the proper guidance. Moreover, amassing excellent scores in the IELTS exam can be tricky. Therefore, the tricks mentioned above help aspirants achieve their desired goals without unnecessary fuss.