Are you looking to elevate your IELTS Speaking performance and impress the examiners? One essential skill to master is the effective use of idiomatic language to enhance speaking skills. Idioms not only add colour and flair to your speech but also demonstrate a deeper understanding of the English language. In this blog, we will delve into the art of using idiomatic language effectively in the IELTS Speaking test. Join us to unlock the secrets of idioms, learn how to incorporate them naturally into your speech, and gain the confidence to shine in your IELTS Speaking exam.
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What is the IELTS Speaking Test Format?
There are three parts in the IELTS Speaking Test:
Part 1: (4–5 minutes)
Introduction and interview. The IELTS examiner will introduce him/herself and will ask you to also introduce yourself, besides confirming your identity. The examiner will ask you generic questions on topics like family, studies, work, and your interests.
Part 2: (3–4 minutes)
Individual long turn. The examiner will give you a task card with a topic written on it, with some points you may cover in your speech. You will have one minute to think and prepare for the topic; a paper and pencil will be provided to jot down your notes. Once done ideating, you will have a time of one to two minutes to speak on the subject followed by some questions on the same by the examiner.
Part 3: (4–5 minutes)
Two-way discussion. The examiner will ask more questions related to the topic provided in Part 2 of the Speaking test. You can use this opportunity to talk about more ideas.
Tips and tricks for the IELTS Speaking test
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your IELTS Speaking test:
Engage in conversations with your friends, family, and peers in English before your test. This will give you practice and help build your confidence. You can even record yourself to assess your level of confidence and identify areas where you need to improve your pronunciation.
Don't be afraid of giving right or wrong answers during your test. Remember, the examiner is evaluating your ability to express your opinions in English.
Stay calm and relaxed during your Speaking test. The examiner is not assessing your answers, but rather how well you can communicate your thoughts and opinions.
Avoid repeating the examiner's question as part of your response. Understand the question and rephrase it using your own words.
Speak naturally and at a consistent pace. Try to emulate how you would talk in regular conversations. Speaking too quickly can lead to pronunciation mistakes.
Provide detailed answers instead of simple "yes" or "no" responses. Develop your responses by expanding on your ideas and providing reasons for your opinions.
Use the appropriate verb tenses when answering questions. For example, if you're asked about your music preferences in the present tense, make sure to respond accordingly and not in the past tense.
Practice pronouncing numbers clearly. Some numbers, like "Forty" and "Fourteen," can sound similar when spoken.
Use words that you're comfortable with in your conversation. It's better to keep it simple and casual unless you're confident in using more advanced vocabulary. However, using advanced vocabulary can be advantageous if you're able to do so naturally.
Support your answers with reasons. This allows you to demonstrate a wider range of grammar and vocabulary.
Additionally, you can enhance your preparation by downloading other important official IDP Education IELTS preparation tools that are available to you. These resources will help you become better prepared for the test.
What is an Idiom?
An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning different from the literal interpretation of its individual words. Idioms are unique to a particular language or culture and are often used to convey a specific message or idea in a more colourful or metaphorical way. They add depth and richness to the language and can be challenging for non-native speakers to understand, as the meaning of the idiom is not immediately apparent from its literal words. Idioms are commonly used in everyday conversations, literature, and informal writing. Some examples of idioms in English include "break a leg" (meaning good luck), "raining cats and dogs" (meaning heavy rain), and "piece of cake" (meaning something that is very easy to do).
Read more: Idioms in IELTS Speaking
What is Collocation?
Collocations refer to words that are commonly used together in a language to form natural and fluent expressions. They are word combinations that have become fixed or established through common usage. Collocations can involve two or more words, and their combination creates a specific meaning that may not be predictable from the individual words themselves.
Collocations are important in language learning because they help convey meaning accurately and idiomatically. Native speakers of a language often use collocations instinctively without thinking about them. Learning and using collocations can greatly enhance one's fluency and naturalness in a language.
Collocations can take different forms, including verb + noun (e.g., "make a decision"), adjective + noun (e.g., "strong coffee"), adverb + adjective (e.g., "highly likely"), and so on. Some collocations are highly specific to certain contexts or domains, while others are more general and applicable in various situations.
For non-native speakers, it can be beneficial to study and practice collocations to improve their language skills. Understanding and using collocations correctly can help learners sound more natural and proficient in their use of a language.
Read more: Collocation for IELTS
Why use Idioms in the IELTS Speaking test?
The appropriate usage of idiomatic expressions depends entirely on the context. If used incorrectly, they can sound forced and unnatural.
You should only use idioms if you are confident to use them correctly.
Utilising idiomatic expressions skilfully, with only occasional inaccuracies, increases your chances of achieving an 8 in this category.
Colourful Idioms | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
Out of the blue | Something that happened unexpectedly | Yesterday, out of the blue, he asked me to marry him! |
In the red | To owe money, to not have money | Sorry, I can’t afford it, I’m in the red. |
Give someone the green light | To give permission | I was given the green light to start this new project. |
A white | To tell a lie that is not very serious | I don’t think you should get in trouble for telling a white lie. |
To know more about how to use idiomatic language effectively in IELTS Speaking in detail watch this webinar by our IDP IELTS trainer Ms. Sujata Chhabra.
The effective use of idiomatic language in IELTS Speaking can significantly enhance one's performance and overall communication skills. By incorporating idioms appropriately, test takers can convey their ideas with greater fluency, creativity, and cultural understanding. However, it is important to use idioms judiciously, considering the context and audience, to ensure clarity and coherence.
Practicing and familiarising oneself with idiomatic expressions relevant to the IELTS Speaking topics can help candidates express themselves in a more natural and nuanced manner, making their responses memorable and engaging for the examiners.
Embracing idiomatic language as a tool for effective communication in the IELTS Speaking test can contribute to a higher band score and a more confident and authentic performance.