Hey everyone! I finally broke up with IELTS Speaking! Remember those dark days of endless practice tests, awkward mirror conversations, and the soul-crushing feeling of getting stuck at band 5.5 three times in a row? Yeah, been there, felt that.
My vocabulary and grammar were decent, but I just couldn’t express myself naturally and fluently during the speaking test. Finally, I decided to ditch all the fancy methods and go back to basics with a surprisingly “dumb” method – and it actually worked! Within a month, I skyrocketed to a 6.5! So, I’m here to share my story and this hidden gem with you!
1. Stop Obsessing Over Practice Tests!
Like many of you, I used to be obsessed with practice tests, hoping to find some magic answers. But the truth is, less than 10% of what I memorized actually came up in the exam. Plus, it made my responses sound robotic and unnatural, and the pressure of remembering everything just made me more nervous.
The IELTS speaking test is all about your communication skills and fluency. Instead of memorizing answers, we should focus on building vocabulary, thinking in English, and practicing natural expression.
2. My “Dumb” Method: Retelling + Recording
It’s incredibly simple: choose interesting English articles or video clips and retell them out loud while recording yourself.
I usually go for TED Talks or BBC News because they cover diverse topics with advanced vocabulary, which helps me expand my vocabulary bank.
The key is to use your own words instead of translating word-for-word. Focus on conveying the meaning naturally, just like you’re chatting with a friend, paying attention to your pace and intonation.
Listen back to your recordings and pinpoint any areas where your fluency falters or grammar needs work. Then, practice, practice, practice until you’re happy with the result.
3. My Experience
Honestly, it was painful at first. Forcing myself to think critically and formulate sentences in English was a struggle. But after sticking with it for a while, I noticed a significant improvement in my speaking fluency and logical thinking! Plus, since I was retelling things I found interesting, it never felt boring.
Before, I used to freeze up and stumble over my words, making tons of grammatical errors. But this method helped me express my thoughts more smoothly with far fewer mistakes. Most importantly, I started enjoying the process of communicating in English!
4. A Few Tips
- Practice consistently, even if it’s just for 15 minutes a day.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Embrace them! The more you speak, the more you’ll learn.
- Find a language partner to practice with. You can motivate each other and provide valuable feedback.
This “dumb” method might seem too simple, but trust me, it works wonders! I hope this helps anyone struggling with IELTS Speaking. Remember, with consistent effort, you can break through your plateau and achieve your desired score!