How To Maximize Your Band Score in IELTS Speaking Module

Many IELTS test takers are often dissatisfied with their performance in IELTS speaking module. There can be many reasons behind this. It is very disappointing when you have to come out of the IELTS interviewer's cabin with a long face in spite of working hard day and night to strengthen your grip over English language. However, you don't have to take this unfortunate issue to your heart. You can easily get through your IELTS speaking test with a little more effort and by taking the following points into your considerations. 1. How to present yourself: Always remember the golden rule "First impression is the last impression". There is hardly anyone who does not know the significance of this expression. However, some test takers often overlook this simple thought. Suppose you are just about to enter the interviewer's room or cabin, do not rush inside straight away. Firstly, gently knock at the door and politely seek the permission to go inside by saying, "Excuse me, sir/madam. May I come in? ". This is the most polite way of disturbing the examiner who might be busy in evaluating the speaking performance of the previous candidate. Once you are granted the permission, enter the room/cabin without leaving the door ajar. Secondly, when you approach the interviewer, wish the examiner with a smile on your face. You must stand right in front of the interviewer's desk rather than either side of him/her, and you must not sit unless you are asked to take your seat by the examiner. Once you are asked to sit do not forget to give a prompt reply, "Thank you sir/madam." Similarly, there are also many other factors that you should take into your account while sitting in front of the interviewer. For example, sitting posture, you must not rest your arms on desk, because it is mainly for the examiner's purposes. You should also make sure that you are sitting with your straight back and not leaning against the table. The next important think that can make your speaking more interactive and natural is your facial expressions. Do not allow to float any sign of nervousness on your face or show a lack of confidence in you. These pessimistic expressions can have a negative impact on your interviewer, which will ultimately affect your overall band score in speaking module. Instead, be confident, positive and be prompt in your reply. Never show your unwillingness even if you are not thoroughly prepared for the test. The moment you start showing your reluctance, the examiner will tend to wind up the speaking test as soon as possible. Body language is another but very important aspect to be considered. It matters a lot and enhances the way you present yourself. While giving response to the interviewer's questions, try using some gestures too. The use of body language is very useful as it makes you go on speaking especially when you get stuck while speaking. In addition, this will boost up your confidence, and at the same time prevent you from making unnecessary pauses.

2. Maintain your Fluency and Coherency: What is fluency? There is a wrong perception among test takers that fluency means to speak very fast. This is not true. You should rather speak at your own comfortable pace, but make sure you speak neither too slow nor too fast. Producing unwanted sounds, stammering or stuttering and making long pauses can hamper your fluency. Coherency is another yet one of the most important aspects. This means that whatever you speak should be well-connected and flow in a natural and sensible way. Always remember that simply beating about the bush will never ever earn you the desirable band score in speaking. 3. Keep the Standard of English: You must have an impressive command of the English language. If not, you must start making preparations for this speaking module at least a few months before. If you often make grammatical errors while speaking, you ought to revise the fundamental rules of English Grammar. Avoid making errors pertaining tenses, voice, modals, and narrations. Making silly errors especially in these areas can have a negative impact on your assessor. In order to make your speaking more effective, you can add good vocabulary words. Appropriate use of some idioms and phrasal verbs with full flexibility and precision in all topics can create good impression on your interviewer. However, you must avoid using bombastic words if you are not fully confident about how to use them. 4. Pronunciation: Pronouncing the words correctly has always been a herculean task for most of the nonnative speakers unless they have profound knowledge of phonetics and semantics. Many test takers belonging to non-English speaking countries often try to imitate like native speakers when it comes to speaking English. However, some of them simply prove to be a show-off in the real IELTS speaking test. Therefore, be neutral while speaking and make sure your mother tongue does not influence the way you speak English. 5. Final Points: You might take a sigh of great relief when the interviews winds up the final part of the speaking module by saying, "That is the end of your speaking test. Wish you all the best for your future." However, hearing these words, you must give a prompt reply by saying, "Thank you so much. I really enjoyed Talking with you." These words will definitely reflect that you have not lost your interest during your speaking test. What is more, you must not express your band requirement to the examiner or start narrating the difficulties you encountered during the test. Always remember that the interviewer has not prepared your final evaluation report as yet. So, once the test is over, the only thing left for you to do is to leave the room in a quiet and relaxed way. I hope the above mentioned points will certain prove fruitful and optimize your speaking proficiency in English. Wish you all the best!