An Introduction to IELTS Speaking Self-assessment

Many learners feel that preparing for the IELTS Speaking Test is challenging because they do not have somebody that they can practise with regularly and, as a result, end up feeling very demotivated. What they underestimate is how much practice they can actually get by learning how to assess their own performance.

In this blog, we will look at how self-assessment can help with your IELTS Speaking preparation.

Understanding the IELTS Speaking Test format

Since the IELTS test is standardised, the format never changes.  So, logically, the first step in preparing for the IELTS Speaking Test is to understand how it is structured. The Speaking Test consists of three parts:

• Part 1 (Introduction and Interview): The examiner will ask you questions about familiar topics, such as your hobbies, work, or studies. This part lasts for about 4-5 minutes.

• Part 2 (Long Turn): You will be given a cue card with a topic and will have 1 minute to prepare before speaking for 1-2 minutes on the topic without interruption.

• Part 3 (Discussion): The examiner will ask you general questions related to the topic in Part 2. This part lasts for about 4-5 minutes.

Being able to assess your own performance, even in just a general sense, in each of these parts is important. By breaking down the Speaking Test and understanding its structure, you can identify specific areas you want to focus on and tailor your self-assessment to address them.

Record yourself speaking

The foundation of IELTS Speaking self-assessment is the ability to record yourself on your phone or on a recording app. Simply choose a topic or question from a sample IELTS Speaking Test (you can find these on the ielts.org website and in the official Cambridge IELTS test series). Set a timer for the allotted time (e.g., 1-2 minutes for Part 2), press record on your phone or app, and respond naturally, as if you're speaking to the examiner.

This method will allow you to listen back to your responses and analyse them objectively, helping you notice features of your speech that you may not be aware of in real-time (i.e. while you are speaking).

Set goals and track your progress

Setting concrete goals is essential when using self-assessment to improve your performance in the IELTS Speaking Test. For example, you may want to focus on increasing your fluency or demonstrating a wider range of vocabulary. You can also use the IELTS Speaking band descriptors and the insights they provide in terms of what examiners are looking for to help you set your self-assessment targets.  

By reviewing your recordings and comparing them to earlier ones, you can also monitor and track the progress you are making. You will be able to identify both improvements as well as areas that still need work. This will keep you motivated and help you stay on track.

Focus on Fluency and Coherence

Fluency refers to your “flow” when you speak (basically, your ability to keep on going), while coherence refers to how logically your ideas are organised.

• How to assess fluency: Pay attention to whether you take long pauses when you speak and whether you repeat words. Many people use filler words such as “like”, “basically” and “actually” which is perfectly normal – the issue is that in situations where they feel nervous, like in a test, there is a tendency to over-use these words.

• How to assess coherence: Pay attention to whether your answers are logically structured. Are you introducing your ideas clearly and then expanding on them or are you jumping back and forth between different ideas?

Check out our IELTS Speaking Fluency Tips blog series for simple, but effective, strategies to improve your fluency:

Evaluate pronunciation and intonation

For the purposes of the IELTS Speaking Test, pronunciation covers many different aspects including individual sounds, word stress, and sentence stress (but NOT accent). Clear pronunciation will make it easier for the examiner to understand your response. Intonation, the rise and fall of your voice, is also important as it adds variety to your speech, making it sound more natural.

• How to assess pronunciation: Record your response and listen for any mispronunciations or words that might be unclear. Focus on individual sounds, stress patterns, and syllable emphasis (for many words, changing the stress can change the meaning of the work – for instance, a “CON-tract” is a written legal agreement while “con-TRACT” means to become smaller).

• How to assess intonation: Notice whether your voice sounds monotonous or if it rises and falls appropriately. A natural flow of speech usually involves variations in pitch, especially when expressing emotions or making points. Again, a lot of intonation issues have to do with the fact that the test-takers are nervous – because they are tense, their intonation does not sound natural.

To improve in these areas, use online resources or dictionaries to check the correct pronunciation of any difficult words. You can also identify particular sounds that you struggle with and practise producing them. In terms of intonation, you can practise by reading aloud and also listening to podcasts in English, paying attention to how the speakers use emphasis while they talk.

Analyse your vocabulary and grammar usage

Your ability to demonstrate range and precision in your usage of vocabulary and grammar is something your examiner will be assessing in your Speaking Test.

• How to assess vocabulary: Listen for any repetition and over-use of general words like "good" or "bad." While these words are not wrong, by repeating them, you will not be able to maximise the opportunity to demonstrate your range of vocabulary. Try to vary your vocabulary by using synonyms or more specific terms. Also, assess whether you were able to produce topic-specific vocabulary (so, for example, if the topic is the environment, words/phrases like “recycling”, “global warming”, “climate change”, etc.)

• How to assess grammar: Review your sentences for grammatical errors, such as incorrect tenses, subject-verb agreement, or sentence structure issues. Ensure that you are using a variety of sentence types, such as complex (“Although it is becoming increasingly popular, I do not support the concept of working from home.”) and compound sentences (“Many people have started recycling, but there are no official guidelines in place.”), to demonstrate a range of grammatical structures.

Make a note of any recurring errors and use grammar exercises and vocabulary-building activities to help you improve in these areas.

Self-assessment is one of the most effective tools you can use to prepare for the IELTS Speaking test. By recording your answers, evaluating your fluency, coherence, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, and practising regularly, you can both improve your performance as well as increase your confidence. Combine self-assessment with partner practice later on, and you will be well on your way to achieving a high score in the IELTS Speaking Test!

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Good luck!