Understanding accents in the IELTS Listening Test

In the IELTS Listening Test, you may hear a range of accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand, American and Canadian. Understanding these different accents is important for anyone who plans to use English internationally. The IELTS Listening Test is designed to check your ability to understand spoken English, regardless of the accent.

As you already know, many English words are pronounced differently depending on the speaker's accent, particularly between varieties like British English (BrE), American English (AmE), Australian English (AusE), and others. Here are some examples of such words:

 1. Schedule

• BrE: /ˈʃɛd.juːl/ (sounds like "shed-yool")

• AmE: /ˈskɛdʒ.uːl/ (sounds like "sked-jool")

 2. Tomato

• BrE: /təˈmɑː.təʊ/ (sounds like "tuh-mah-toe")

• AmE: /təˈmeɪ.toʊ/ (sounds like "tuh-may-toe")

 3. Data

• BrE: Often /ˈdɑː.tə/ (sounds like "dah-tuh")

• AmE: Often /ˈdeɪ.tə/ (sounds like "day-tuh")

 4. Garage

• BrE: /ˈɡær.ɑːʒ/ or /ˈɡær.ɪdʒ/ (sounds like "ga-rahzh" or "gar-idge")

• AmE: /ɡəˈrædʒ/ (sounds like "guh-raj")

5. Advertisement

• BrE: /ədˈvɜː.tɪz.mənt/ (sounds like "ad-ver-tiss-ment")

• AmE: /ˈæd.vɚˌtaɪz.mənt/ (sounds like "ad-ver-tize-ment")

 Note how the syllable stress is different here. In British English, stress is on the second syllable with the "r" typically not pronounced.  In American English, stress is on the first syllable with the "r" pronounced.

 6. Leisure

• BrE: /ˈleʒ.ər/ (sounds like "lezh-ur")

• AmE: /ˈliː.ʒɚ/ (sounds like "lee-zher")

 7. Privacy

• BrE: /ˈprɪv.ə.si/ (sounds like "priv-uh-see")

• AmE: /ˈpraɪ.və.si/ (sounds like "pry-vuh-see")

 How about hearing some examples of these accents? Are you ready for some listening practice? You will find 7 questions below, taken from different IELTS Listening Tests. Click on the audio icon and answer them in order.

Answer the following questions. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

🔊 1: What time is the meeting scheduled?                        ____________PM

🔊 2: When will the tomato harvest be ready?                   ____________

🔊 3. Where can the data from the survey be found?      Page _______ of the report.

🔊 4. Where are the bikes stored?                                           In the ___________ at the back of the house.

🔊 5. What is the coffee shop offering?                                  ____________ on all drinks.

🔊 6. What does the speaker recommend for leisure?                     Local ________________.

🔊 7. What does the speaker recommend checking during account setup? 
                                                                                                               The _____________settings.

It’s now time to check the answer key below. How did you do?

Now that you have heard a number of different accents, how do you feel about them? Did they cause any misunderstanding of the answer? I hope not!

 Tips to best adapt to different accents in IELTS listening

Listen to authentic content (e.g. podcasts, news reports, YouTube videos, lectures, documentaries, radio shows, interviews, lectures, audio books etc.) in English accents commonly used in IELTS.

Notice pronunciation patterns, syllable stress, and key differences in how sounds are pronounced.

Listen to short audio clips and repeat what was said. Mimicking pronunciation and rhythm will improve your listening comprehension (and speaking fluency!) at the same time.

Write down what you hear in different recordings. This helps you better understand fast speech and different accents. Well, now you are practicing your writing, too!

Now it’s time to access these various listening resources online and try out the tips listed here. Keep practising - you’ve got this!

Click here to join our free monthly IELTS lessons.

Or click here to get all our IELTS lessons on demand.

Good luck from Team IELTS! 

Answers:

1. 2:30

2. late July

3. four

4. garage

5. discounts

6. hiking trails

7. privacy

   Transcripts:

   1. Australian accent: Schedule

   The next meeting is scheduled for 2:30 PM in the main conference room. Don’t forget to bring the financial report.

    

   2. GB accent: Tomato

   In our garden, we’ve planted tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers this season. The tomato harvest should be ready by late July.

    

   3. Australian accent: Data

   The survey data was collected from over a thousand participants. It’s displayed on page four of the report.

    

   4. GB accent (Scotland): Garage

   We keep our bikes in the garage at the back of the house. It’s a convenient place for storing tools as well.

    

   5. GB accent: Advertisement

   Did you see that new advertisement for the coffee shop downtown? They’re offering discounts on all drinks this week.

    

   6. GB accent (Scotland): Leisure

   For leisure activities, I recommend trying the local hiking trails. They’re beautiful, especially in the autumn.

    

   7. GB accent: Privacy

   When setting up your account, you’ll be asked to review the privacy settings. Make sure they meet your preferences.