This is Jill Cosh, who used to be a university lecturer in English, and also a teacher/trainer of English language teachers. Now, she’s a consultant to Cambridge English Language Assessment and together with Gad, they will try to answer my IELTS Speaking questions.
So Jill, can you please remind me how this speaking test works? There are three parts, aren’t there?
Yes, there’s three parts. And overall, the test lasts between eleven and fourteen minutes. And you will be in a room just with the examiner and the test will be recorded.
And let’s start with Part 1. What happens there?
In Part 1, you’ll be asked a series of questions about familiar topics, things like routines, hobbies, your likes and dislikes.
And Part 1 lasts four to five minutes. So it’s really just to get you settled in and comfortable speaking with the examiner.
Yeah, I see. So what about Part 2?
Well, Part 2 is when you speak on your own. So you’ll be given a booklet, and it has a topic in it, and they’ll be some suggestions about what you might like to speak about. And you are given one minute to prepare, and you can write some notes if you want in that one minute. Yeah. And at the end of the two minutes, the examiner may ask you a follow-up question.
Should I keep speaking for the two full minutes? What happen if I run out of ideas of what to say?
So you definitely should try to keep going as long as you can. And if you run out, don’t worry about it because the examiner will try to help you along. So just keep speaking. At some point the examiner will stop you, and that’s all right.
Perfect.
You might find it helpful to practise with a timer and some topics. Practise speaking for two minutes so you get an idea of the length of time. You could also practise, too, making notes, finding which notes help you to remember ideas while you’re talking.
So what about Part 3? What happen there?
In Part 3, it’s also like Part 1, about four to five minutes, but this time you’ll be answering questions of the more general nature, but on the same topic as you discussed in Part 2.
All right. So that’s a good thing, right?
Yes. Because you already started thinking about that particular topic, and you’re using the words from that particular topic. So you’re all set for Part 3.
One thing as well I’m worried about is that, especially when I’m nervous, I might not understand what the examiner wants to ask me. And also sometimes I hesitate about what to say. What can I do if this happens?
Well, if you’re not so sure of what the examiner asks, then you can always ask the examiner to repeat the question. And they will do that, so don’t worry about that.
OK, great.
You might also find it helpful to prepare some phrases just to give yourself a little time to think. You could say things like, that’s a really interesting question.
I’ve never thought about that.
Or let me think.
Yeah, okay that’s a good thing.
And it buys you some time.
Yeah. Perfect. Thank you very much.
Personally, I’m worried about the speaking test because I’m not very confident about my grammar. What can I do?
Well you can always practise your grammar beforehand. You can practise it from books, or from online resources, or you can speak to your teacher about grammar points that worry you. But remember, like we said in writing, you’re being assessed on several different criteria. So grammar is not the only thing you want to focus on.
So it’s like writing where the examiner uses several criteria to assess how good I am, right? Yes, but the criteria in speaking are different from the criteria used in writing. So what are the criteria for speaking?
There are four criteria, as in writing. The first category is about fluency and coherence, and this, really, is about how fluently you speak and how clearly you link your ideas together. Then there is lexical resource. Lexical resource is about both the accuracy and the range of your vocabulary. So try to use some less common or idiomatic phrases while you’re speaking. Also, if you can’t think of a word, you need to be able to think of a way of expressing your ideas with different words. Yeah, of course. Then there’s grammar, and grammar is about both the range and the accuracy. So you need to be able to speak not just using very simple basic sentences, and of course you need to be reasonably accurate.
And finally, there is pronunciation. Pronunciation, in general, is about how easy you are to understand. This involves a range of things like being able to use stress and intonation to put across your meaning to the listener and to be able to say words clearly with the correct stress and the correct sounds.
So how does the examiner decide what band does want to give me?
So for each of the criteria, the examiners actually have descriptors, so short sentences, describing what someone is able to do. So they try to match you up to figure out the one that best describes where you are, and then the average for the four is your overall band descriptor, or your overall band for speaking.
I’m glad that I can go to the test with an idea and understanding of what the examiner is looking for. Do you know where I can find more information about it?
Well, in fact, we have provided these descriptors, which you can find at the bottom of this screen. And in the next step, we will also be looking at some examples of speaking. So hopefully that should be helpful.
That’s perfect. Thank you very much.
DOWNLOAD SPEAKING BAND DESCRIPTOR: speaking-band-descriptors
Now in this first part, I’d like to ask you some questions about yourself. Let’s talk about what you do. Do you work or are you a student?
I’m currently a housewife, but I used to work in England and Japan.
What was your job?
I used to work for office and just to do administration in Japan.
Why did you choose that kind of work?
I was good at computer that time. And then also my friend went to the same company, so that’s the fun as well.
What did you enjoy about your job?
Actually, it was a university job, so looking after students. And then sometimes having fun with students, it’s quite nice.
Let’s talk about food. What’s your favourite kind of food?
Well, I think my favourite food is Japanese food, especially I realise that it’s quite nice. When I live in England, I can’t eat very often, so I realise that that’s special.
Who normally prepares the food in your home?
I’m a housewife, so I do all the time, yes. Why? I don’t have a job at moment, so that’s kind of my job.
Do you often eat in restaurants or cafes?
Not very much because we have children, so it’s quite difficult to go to a restaurant. But if we have chance, yes, we always try.
Did you ever do any cooking when you were a child?
Yes, actually. When I was a child, my parents are working, so I often help them and cook for my family. So I did, yes.
Let’s talk about spending time outdoors. How much time do you spend outdoors?
Oh, one or couple of hours every day because I have to take my children out. Actually myself, I don’t like very much being outside. But that’s quite important and actually quite nice. Especially the weather, it’s nice.
What do you enjoy doing outdoors?
Just play with the children. It’s quite hard work. But after all, I feel really better. Get some fresh air, I think that makes me better, I think.
Do you think you will spend more or less time outdoors in the future?
In the future, I guess less than now because I like staying indoors, so that’s the reason, yes.
Do you think it’s important for people to spend time outdoors?
I think so. Especially when you stay indoor, your mind quite stuck. But when you go outside and they get some fresh air, I think people get really clear mind and that really good for people.
Now I’m going to give you a topic. And I’d like you to talk about it for one to two minutes. Before you talk, you’ll have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes if you wish. Do you understand? Yes, I do. OK. So here’s some paper and a pencil for making notes. Thank you. And here’s your topic. Please don’t write anything on the booklet. I’d like you to describe a hobby you enjoyed when you were a child.
Alright? Remember you have one to two minutes for this. So don’t worry if I stop you. I’ll tell you when the time is up. Can you start speaking now, please? Alright.
When I was child, I – I’m from countryside, so I always going out. And then sometimes go to mountain with my friend or river. And then always catch the bugs or sometimes fish, even. And then – at the season, like a Spring, we could get there like a fruit from the mountain. And that’s quite tasty and exciting. And I really like that kind of play style. And then, even I was young, I was with my brother. So my parents are not always with me. So quite a lot of freedom for me. And then always I remember that the weather is nice and then it just – I could go anywhere else.
I think that’s the best time with the freedom in there. I don’t usually talk to my parents, but I did that day. But I think they felt that it was safe. And then we always stay with children. So we never been alone. And then my neighborhood was, like, almost all boys. So I was always played with boys. So sometimes play baseball, and that’s great. Thank you.
Did your friends have the same hobby as you? Yes, I think so. Yeah. Thank you.
Can I have the booklet and the paper and pencil back, please? Thank you.
We’ve been talking about a hobby you enjoyed when you were a child, and I’d like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this. Let’s consider first of all children’s hobbies. How do children in your country spend their free time? To be honest, it’s quite difficult, because my childhood time and the now, it’s completely different, I can imagine. But still safer. And then children play in the park on their own.
Do children have any other kinds of hobbies apart from playing? Of course they love a video game, video console thing. In fact, I think they stay indoor more than going outside, because they can play in front of TV all the time.
So do they spend more time alone? I think so.
So how do you think children’s hobbies have changed compared to your childhood? Well, it was quite a while ago. When I was a child, we don’t have any toys, very much around the house. So that’s the only way we could enjoy that’s going out. But nowadays, children’s got a lot of toys inside, and then maybe parents try to play them safely indoors, so that’s the reason.
Do you think parents prefer them to be indoors?
Maybe they want them, children to play outside, but worry about society, that it’s better to watch them always, and keep them with them. And sometimes there are some children who don’t have any hobbies.
Why do you think that is?
Maybe children are getting less creation now because they’re from the baby, they’re always given and always everything around them. So they don’t need to think about what to do. So that’s why I think they lose their imagination and they just want to be told. Yes. OK.
Let’s think about hobbies for adults.
What are the advantages for an adult of having a hobby? I think, especially when they work, sometimes they would have a difficult time. But if they have a hobby, they can switch off what happened at the company or hard time, and can refresh their mind and then start with their clear mind again, so that’s quite good.
And what kind of hobbies do adults do? Oh I can imagine like going to a sports gym and they do exercise, or even drinking, maybe. [LAUGHS]
And some hobbies you do alone, and some you do as part of a group, they involve other people. What’s the difference between those types of hobbies?
If you do something alone, you again, stuck on your own. But if you share your hobby or your opinion to people, that’s good to know yourself from other people. That’s the difference. So do you think there are more benefits to being with other people or being alone?
I think in a group, that will more benefit yourself. But if you have a project yourself, of course you need the concentration.
And what problems might your hobby cause for other people?
Problem? It depends on the hobby, but if you push your opinion or what you believe to other people too much, I think people wouldn’t like it. You need a distance.
OK, Misato, thank you very much. That is the end of the speaking test. OK, thank you very much.
My name is Katya Essery. Can you tell me your full name, please? My name is Kyoungae. Thank you. Can you tell me where you’re from? I’m from South Korea.
Can I see your identification, please? Yes, sure. Thank you.
Thank you, that’s fine. Thank you.
Now in this first part, I’d like to ask you some questions about yourself. Let’s talk about what you do. Do you work or are you a student? I work.
What’s your job? I’m an office worker. Why did you choose that kind of work? I thought – I am good at organising things, and I’m quite – I’m an organised person. So I felt suited to work in the office environment.
What do you enjoy about your job?
That’s a very good question. It’s quite nice to coordinate, to coordinate among people. It’s nice to work with lots of different people from lots of departments. So I like socializing with the people, and also when it’s related to work, I can also help them at the same time as – while I’m socializing with them. [LAUGHTER]
So – Let’s talk about food. What’s your favorite kind of food? I like spicy food, as you can imagine.
Who normally prepares the food in your home? I do.
Why? Because I’ve got more time to cook. I work part-time at the moment, so yes, obviously, I have more time to prepare food.
Do you often eat in restaurants or cafes?
We’d like to, but we can’t do it often, but we do sometimes because of the kids. It’s sometimes a nightmare to take the kids to a restaurant. But yeah, we sometimes do.
Did you ever do any cooking when you were a child? I didn’t do much. [LAUGHTER]
Why not? I was too lazy, I think. I was really relying on my mom to cook all the food. So yeah, I feel I might be regretting it, but yeah, no, I didn’t cook much when I was a child.
Let’s talk about spending time outdoors. How much time do you spend outdoors?
When the weather is nice, I do spend time, about three hours, in the garden with the children. Sometimes I take them to a park. But yeah, about two hours or three hours a day, maybe.
What do you enjoy doing outdoors?
Entertaining the kids. So yeah, I like taking them to a playground or to a river, and show them ducks and swans, etc. So that’s the most enjoyable time.
Do you think you’ll spend more or less time outdoors in future? It depends on the weather, but if, as long as the weather permits, yeah, I would spend more time. But obviously, in the winter time, I tend to spend more time indoors because of the cold weather.
Do you think it’s important for people to spend time outdoors? Yes, I do. It’s quite healthy. It’s quite healthy to get fresh air. Yeah, and then people get less lazy when they’re outdoors. They do some activities. So yeah, I think that’s important.
Now I’m going to give you a topic, and I’d like you to talk about it for one to two minutes. Before you talk, you’ll have one minute to think about what you’re going to say, and you can make some notes if you wish. Do you understand? Yes, I do.
Here’s some paper and a pencil for making notes. Thanks.
And here is your topic. Thank you.
Please don’t write anything on the booklet. OK. I’d like you to describe a hobby you enjoyed when you were a child. OK.
All right? Yes. Remember, you have one to two minutes for this, so don’t worry if I stop you. I’ll tell you when the time is up.
OK. Can you start speaking now, please? When I was a child, when I was very young, I didn’t have much hobby because we used to – we were encouraged to concentrate on only studying. Not only, but yeah, pretty much just studying. But once I got into university, I started to learn table tennis, bowling, and swimming quite late. But yeah, which I really enjoyed, so I used to go – regularly go to table tennis club, and I played with my colleagues, friends. And also, I was in bowling club, as well. So once a week, I used to go to play bowling, things like that. And now I’d like to keep playing table tennis, especially, but it’s quite difficult to keep my hobby at the time because of the busy environment, with the children and with the family. But yes, definitely, I would once the children grow up, and I would start to play and be more active about the hobbies.
Do I – should I continue or – Can you tell me more about that? What it involved?
It involved like socializing, socializing things, though obviously, as I said, I was in a club. So I had to socialize with people, not just playing the sports, table tennis, etc. We – after playing the sports, we used to go out together and have a drink, and have a nice chat, things like that.
OK, thank you. Did your friends have the same hobby as you? Some of them had, and especially – yeah, once I got a job, yeah, my colleagues, some of my colleagues had the same hobbies, though we used to have a club in at my work, which everybody plays together with each other, so that was good.
OK, thank you. Can I take the booklet? Sure.
And the paper and pencil back from you, please? Thank you.
We’ve been talking about a hobby you enjoyed when you were a child, and I’d like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this. Let’s consider first of all children’s hobbies. In Korea, in South Korea, how do children spend their free time? Playing with the children – sorry, playing with the friends, and they do learn lots of musical instruments, etc. So they do spend a lot of time to learn new things. To have a hobby, for example, of learning how to play piano or flute. And at the moment, one of my nieces is learning how to ride on a horse and things like that. But also, of course, when they have free time they just go out and play in the playground with their friends.
And you said they play musical instruments. Is that – do they choose to do that kind of hobby? Yeah, I mean, their probably parents would give them a few options, and so that they can choose what they would like. But yeah, there might be some of the parents’ preferences, as well. Depends.
And do you think there have been any changes in the types of hobbies children have now compared with the past? Yes, definitely. We – when I grew up, when I was a child, it wasn’t quite as wealthy as now, and people didn’t really have much. And there’s your time to think about hobbies. It was more about studying, whereas now, people can afford and, you know, there are lots of ways they can encourage their children to have a hobby. So yeah, definitely, they have – these days, children have more options than I used to do.
So you say afford. Is it expensive for children to have hobbies nowadays? I think it’s the same in the UK, as well. It’s just to teach one instrument does cost, it, doesn’t it? So yeah, I would say if they want to have a few different hobbies, then that would cost.
So why do you think some children don’t have hobbies?
First of all, maybe they didn’t have opportunity to realize their are some hobbies they could explore. And also maybe they were not very interested, or they were not encouraged, or their parents couldn’t afford it. There would be all different reasons.
Let’s move on now, Kyoungae, to think about hobbies for adults. How does it benefit an adult to have a hobby? It definitely helps to relax [LAUGHTER] from the stress from the children.
How does it help to relax?
If you – if you’re doing what you’re enjoying, then you can forget about other stressful situations or stressful things. You can just concentrate on what you are enjoying. So therefore, you can have new energy to fight with your stress, maybe. [LAUGHTER]
And what kind of hobbies are done alone? And what kind of hobbies do you do with other people?
What kind of hobbies do I do with other people? Do people in general do alone and which do people do with other people? Fishing would be the definite example of doing alone. Like my husband enjoys fishing, but it’s very difficult to share that hobby. Because – like as a family, for example. He loves it, but I don’t, and so we can’t – we would try to go together, to share, but it’s not always enjoyable for me. Or like football, any sports, you need to do with other people. Those would be – that would be the example of, you share with other people.
So what are the differences between the two kinds of hobbies, then?
The ones you do alone and the ones you do with other people? The hobby you do alone would be more useful to – I don’t – useful is not very correct way to say. But more helpful to relax, probably, whereas like football, which involves lots of different – lots of other people would be, you know, more enjoyable, maybe. It’s just socializing.
And can a hobby cause problems for other people? If you have – like let’s talk about fishing again. If you really enjoy fishing and other members of family would like to do something else, which we can share together, then that would cause a problem.
Either you have to sacrifice your hobby and not going fishing, or the family has to sacrifice, do something else without you. So that could cause a problem.
OK, thank you very much. That is the end of the speaking test. Thank you very much.