說的輕鬆 ?! 雅思口語考試準備及高分密訣 How to Prepare for IELTS Speaking Test 文藻外語大學英文系 Jessie Shang 商雅君

2/26 Outline  IELTS Speaking Test  Resources  Practice  Q & A

3/26  All Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking.  1. Listening 30 mins (40 Qs)  2. Reading 60 mins (40 Qs)  3. Writing 60 mins (2 works)  4. Speaking 15 mins (3 parts)  There may be a break between written and oral tests. IELTS test structure

4/26 IELTS Speaking Test  How it works  Samples  Tips for preparation

5/26 Speaking test  Time: 10 – 15 minutes Face to face interview between one candidate and one examiner. * The Interview is recorded.  Part 1(4-5mins): Introduction and interview Part 2(1-3 mins incl. prep): Individual talk Part 3(4-5 mins): Discussion topics

Assessment Criteria

7/26 IELTS Band Scores 9Expert User Expert User - native speaker level of the language. 8Very Good User Very Good User - excellent command of the language, a few mistakes only 7Good User Good User - handles language well, some inaccuracies, communicates adequately 6Competent User Competent User - reasonable control of the language, difficulties with unfamiliar 5Modest User Modest User - adequate in own area, difficulties with complex structures 4Limited User Limited User - adequate only in familiar areas, difficulty understanding expression 3Extremely Limited User Very Limited User - problems communicating, limited communication abilities 2Intermittent User Intermittent User - many difficulties, basic information only 1Non User Non User - understands a few isolated words only

8/26 assessment  The speaking module assesses whether can candidates can communicate effectively in English. The assessment takes into account Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resources, Grammatical Range and Accuracy and Pronunciation  There are no right or wrong answers to the questions.

9/26 Fluency and Coherence  This refers to how good the candidate is at keeping talking at the right speed and how good they are at connecting their ideas together.  A fairly general criteria which includes evaluating the relevance of the candidate's answers.  Speakers need to be able to understand and follow the rules of language at a word, sentence and text level.

10/26 Lexical Resource  This refers to how much vocabulary the candidate has and how well they use it. As well as the rules of language at a word level, this criteria considers the communicative functions of speech and the social meaning of speech. Don’t use unfamiliar words to “show off”, but do practice on new words you learn

11/26 Grammatical Range and Accuracy This refers to how many structures the candidate has and how well they use them. Again, as well as the rules of language, this criteria considers the communicative functions of speech.

12/26 Pronunciation  This refers to how well the candidate pronounces the language.  These are considered: - communicative effect of the candidate's pronunciation - evaluation of how much strain it causes on a listener - how noticeable their accent is - although accent itself is not a problem.  Speakers need to be able to produce the phonological features of speech.

IELTS Speaking - Part One Your life

14/26 Part I  The candidate and the examiner introduce themselves.  The candidate answers general questions about themselves: Ex: their home/ family, their jobs/ studies, interests, work, study, where you live, food, holidays, friends, going out, festivals, sports, schools and public transport.  Those part lasts between four and five minutes.

15/26 Part 1: sample To start: the examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics. SAMPLE  Daily Routine ‧ What would you like to change in your daily routine? ‧ Are all your days the same? ‧ Tell me about your typical weekday and your typical weekend. ‧ What is the balance of work/study and free time in your normal day?

16/26 Tips for part I To start: 1.The examiner understands that you are nervous. 2.Focus on the examiner’s questions instead of your grammar, accent…etc. EXAMPLE: Daily Routine ‧ What would you like to change in your daily routine? ‧ Are all your days the same? ‧ Tell me about your typical weekday and your typical weekend. ‧ What is the balance of work/study and free time in your normal day?  Listen carefully to catch the keywords and answer them. If you miss a few things, you can ask the examiner to repeat the question one more time. Details = examples

Tips for Part I  Get used to talking about yourself in English.  List a few things you can discuss fluently in English in your life: (help on talk topics with books ) 自學園小老師 can help. You major/study What you are good at Your hobbies

18/26 Tips for Part I  The topics in part 1 of the test are limited and very familiar: focus on yourself and your life. - can write your own questions, interview someone, do mini-presentations for the class, and prepare the vocabulary you might need. - similar activities can be used to explore part 3. writing your own questions is particularly effective in deepening your understanding of the demands of the task.

Shower time is the best practice time

IELTS Speaking - Part Two Describe with details

21/26 Part II  The examiner gives the candidate a question card and the candidate needs to speak about the topic on the card for about 2 minutes.  The examiner will NOT ask any questions.  Before speaking, the candidate has one minute to make notes.

Part II - The task is to describe, or to talk about a personal experience such as a memorable day or a significant person. - Your answer provides some continuity for the transition to part 3.

23/26 Part II: a sample Describe something you own which is very important to you. You should say: where you got it from how long you have had it what you use it for and explain why it is so important to you. Catch key words in the topic.

24/26 Tips for taking part 2 You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes. You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish. Notes: write down 2 -3 ideas in words, phrases (better in an order as the questions are listed) that answer the questions. Describe something you own which is very important to you. (Answer the key words) You should say: where you got it from how long you have had it what you use it for and explain why it is so important to you.

About note-taking: Not a waste of time  Write down words or phrases, not sentences.  3 items, the most 5. Practice really helps.

26/26 Tips for taking part II  The long turn in part 2 is always very challenging. - Candidates often produce answers that are short, repetitive, off topic (although this may not be a problem), or lacking structure. - Ways to help include: (1) integrating practising this into school English courses (2) playing ‘Just a minute.' A writing task, an 1- minute micro-practise of the notes stage, and focusing on structuring answers by writing them rather than speaking.

Just-a-minute  Time: 1 min. (note-taking 30 sec; use a timer)  Draw random topics and practice.

Remember the tips…  Answer the key words.  Note-taking helps you focus on answering the question.  Try to cover all the points, but don’t do this in a hurry.

IELTS Speaking - Part Three Like an interview

30/26 Part III  The candidate and examiner will have a discussion relating to the subject area in Part 2.  The candidate will be asked to do more complicated things, such as evaluate, justify positions and opinions, make predictions, and express preferences.  The examiner has a list of questions but is not limited to these. He or she can respond freely to the candidate's answers, making this part of the test more like a normal conversation.

31/26 Part III: samples Discussion topics:  How values can change Example questions: 1. What kind of possessions show status in your country? 2. Do you think it was different for your grandparents?  The consumer society 1. Modern society is often called ‘materialistic - Why do you think this is? 2. Do you think consumerism is a positive or a negative development?  The consumer marker 1. What is the role of advertising? 2. How do you think the Internet will affect buying patterns in the future?

32/26 Tips for taking part 3 Discussion topics:  How values can change Example questions: 1. What kind of possessions show status in your country? 2. Do you think it was different for your grandparents? Notice: 1.Questions for this part are related to your answer from part 2. 2.This part is to test whether the candidate is able to give comments or opinions in English. - Do not talk about yourself. - Your views will not be assessed. Catch key word(s) in the topic.

Remember the tips:  A conversation with the examiner. - communicate, rather than give a talk - listen to the examiner’s questions carefully  State your opinions clearly, and then support them with details. - use words you know

34/26 Reminders  IELTS is a proficiency test, not designed to test any specific knowledge. - One mistake will not ruin your total score. - Keep your confidence.  The IELTS test is designed to push a candidate to the limits of their language - You will at some point struggle. - It is useful to look at strategies/tips to deal with frustrations.  IELTS is a challenging exam and there is no ‘magic' way to get a high level. If your English isn't good enough, practice these tips and techniques should help you to perform to the best of your ability and so get the level you deserve. * Tape record your practice.

If test time within 3 months Focus your practices on:  note-taking  how to talk with points  talking about your life as a student

36/26 Dos Remember: Candidates are evaluated on their entire performance. - talk in confidence. Speak loudly/clearly. (practice with a mirror) - good to speak only English just before the test. - make sure covering each point. - keep eye contact and smile. - take a deep breath when feeling too nervous

Don’ts  Give many short answers.  Memorize scripts.  Go off topics.  Use many boring words. (good, bad, something…)  Stop talking. Keep conversations going.

Preparation Resources

39/26 Resources  Online resources - how-tos - people’s experiences - forums - skype (speaking practice) Use effective search key words: ielts speaking, ielts blog, ielts forum, ielts speaking samples, 雅思準備 …etc.

40/26 Using ielts blog

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42/26 Using ielts forum

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44/26 Video samples

45/26 Library: books, simulation tests

46/26 Practice - regularly  The importance of listening - listening = input; speaking = output * The BBC  Practice oral conversations in English - Find one book to stick with and practice. - Make a study plan using the book. (1) How much time do you have until the tests? (2) Schedule your time and tasks. (3) Find some friends to practice with you. (4) Do easy tasks first. - Use service provided by your school.

47/26 Useful Expressions  轉折語辭。 To start with, First, Second, …In Conclusion.  詞窮時 -- "Oh, the word I'm looking for has slipped my mind.“  答不下去，想重新回答 -- "I'm afraid I've talked myself into a corner. Let me start over." -- "I don't think I should continue in this vein. Let me say it in a different way.“ Talk Naturally!

48/26 Final kind reminders  If you miss some questions, you can ask the examiner to repeat again. (But not Qs on the card)  Even if you don’t understand, try to say something or ask questions. “I don’t know” is not a good answer.  Read questions carefully. Ex: Q: Tell me about a famous person you admire A: My mother (x) [Unless she is Lady Gaga!]  Be yourself and act naturally. Don’t forget to smile and be polite.

49/26 Q & A

50/26 Thank you for your attention!