One question you can almost guarantee you’ll get in speaking is:
Do you work? Or are you a student?
It’s important to be ready for this question as there are some possible traps which you need to avoid. It’s surprising how many candidates go wrong immediately. One sensible step is to think about the type of questions you may be asked in part 1. Here are some general guidelines for you to consider.
Guidelines
1. Treat the examiner as a normal person
This is rule number 1. Try and answer the examiner as if this was a normal conversation. Almost all the mistakes you may make are because you think you need to do something special because this is a speaking test.
2. Don’t show off by using all the language you know
The examiner expects a short answer here – it is a very simple question after all. Think how you would answer this if someone you had just met was asking. If you speak too much the examiner may become annoyed and will probably think you are using an answer you have learned – a bad thing.
3. Don’t give your life history
The examiner will ask you more questions on the same topic. Two or three sentences is quite enough. You will get to talk about why you chose that subject or what you expect to do next a little later.
4. Don’t give a very short answer
You need to think that this is a conversation. If you answer: “I’m a student”. That is not quite right because it sounds almost impolite unless you say something more. Also, remember this is a speaking test and you need to speak.
5. It’s not a yes/no question
Huge amounts of candidates will say something like: ‘Yes, I’m a student”. That’s wrong – it doesn’t answer the question.
6. Avoid using learned speaking phrases
It’s simply not appropriate to use phrases such as: “That’s a good question” or “Let me see”. It’s not a good question. It’s not even an interesting question. It’s a simple question that should be answered directly. If you want phrases here, I suggest “well” and “actually” can work.
If you haven’t watched it before, this is one of my old videos that may make you smile and also make you think a bit about the dangers of this language.
7. You’re not in full-time education and you don’t have a job
This is quite a common scenario for many IELTS candidates. What I suggest here is to say something like: “Neither actually. I finished university last year and I hope to get a job as a doctor in Australia soon.” ie You answer the question and give a short explanation.
8. You have a job and you’re studying for IELTS
This another common one. The trick is to explain the situation. In fact, this gives you the opportunity to use some really nice language:
- “take a year out”
- “be on a sabbatical”
- “currently”
- “for the time being”
Test yourself on some examples
Take a look at these examples and decide if you think the responses are appropriate or not:
Do you work or are you a student?
- I’m a student.
- I’m studying law at the moment. But I plan to go into marketing.
- I finished my studies last year.
- I’m a student. I’m studying economics at university. I should graduate next year and then I hope to find a job in finance.
- I’m an architect and have been one for the last 15 years. It’s a very fulfilling career which pays very well and it gives me a great deal of job satisfaction. I always wanted to be an architect when I grew up and I first joined my father’s practice when I graduated from university. I have been responsible for many projects and I’m currently working on designing a school in my home town. It’s a very interesting project….
- Well, actually I’m doing a postgraduate degree in cybernetics.
- Yes, I’m a student.
- Well, I’m not in work at the moment because I’m studying privately for the IELTS exam.
- I’m a pilot in the Kuwaiti airforce actually. Though I’m also studying English for the IELTS exam so I can go to flight school.
Follow up questions
Some of the most likely follow up questions are:
- Why did you choose that subject?
- What do you plan to do next?
- Do you enjoy it?
1. Get the tense right
If you are asked “Why did choose that subject?”. This is a past tense question, so it needs a past tense answer.
2. Vary your tenses
There are lots of ways to talk about the future, so don’t just use “will” if you are asked about your plans. Here are just a few of the options available to you:
3. Use some good education vocabulary accurately
If you check out my Education vocabulary page, you will find a handy list of education vocabulary with advice and some exercises on how to use it.
4. Beware of the Yes/No question
If you are asked “Do you enjoy it?” You should note that this is a yes/no question. It is wrong to answer only”Yes” or “No”. I suggest you try one of these options:
- why you enjoy it
- what you particularly enjoy about it
- how much you enjoy it
- that you both enjoy it and dislike it
This lesson was really grateful.
I am improving ways to develop in my speaking exam.
Thanks a lot for your helping.
hello Mr.Cole
I saw an ielts speaking exam sample in part two, will I receive any information after the topic that i am asked to speak about
for instance :
describe a city which you have visited and it has impressed you
you should say
- where is it situated
- why you visited it
- what you like about it
in my real exam am I going to have tips like those three
thank you and sorry for disturbing
Yes. You should hire a tutor before entering the exam…
hello Mr.Cole
I saw an ielts speaking exam sample in part two, will I receive any information after the topic that i am asked to speak about
for instance :
describe a city which you have visited and it has impressed you
you should say
- where is it situated
- why you visited it
- what you like about it
in my real exam am I going to have tips like those three ?
thank you and sorry for disturbing
yes you are. in fact there will be four and its always W/H questions. u know why, how , when what etc
best of luck