In
IELTS, all skills of language are tested, including speaking which is
tested at the end of the test session. Test takers need to wait up their
chance to have it because they need to do it one by one. Test takers
have to deal with native speaker who gives some questions during the
test. Time provided for this speaking test is for about 15 minutes. In
its implementation, the examiner has prepared a tool to record the
result of the test. In order to be successful in the test, it is very
important for the test taker to know about the parts of the test for
smoothing the flow of the speaking test.
The first part is introduction and interview. In this part, examiner introduces him/herself and checks test taker’s name. Then, the examiner asks test taker some questions about general topics. The time provided for this part is 4 until 5 minutes.
The
second part is individual long turn. Test taker gets around three until
four minutes, including one minute preparation time, to finish the
session. In this part, examiner gives test taker a written task card.
Test taker has one minute to think. Test taker can also take notes
before speaking for about one until two minutes. At the end of test
taker’s talk, examiner asks one or two questions related to what he or
she has said.
The
last part is two-way discussion. In this part, together with the
examiner, test taker discuss about more abstract issues and concepts
which are thematically linked to the topic of test taker’s talk in the
previous part. The time provided is four until five minutes.
There
are some things that test takers can do to improve his or her
achievement in this section. The first is being relaxed in answering
questions. Test taker needs to be confident in delivering the answer so
that the examiner sees him or her as a fluent speaker.
Test
taker also has to be aware to the clearance on the idea that he or she
wants to use. In the speaking test, the examiner assesses the test
taker’s ability to communicate. Test taker needs to practice at home and
record the result to have his or her judgment about it. Remember! Don’t
try to memorize the answers as the examiner will be able to
differentiate between memorized and spontaneous answers.
References:
http://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/IELTS_Speaking.htm,
http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-your-test/test-day-advice/speaking-test-advice
