Welcome to Lesson 1!

In this lesson, you'll get to know the IELTS Speaking test structure, learn strategies to answer questions effectively, and practice discussing two common topics: Daily Routine & Lifestyle and Family & Relationships.

Part 1: Understanding the IELTS Speaking Test

The IELTS Speaking test is divided into three parts:

1. Part 1: Introduction & Interview (4-5 mins)
   The examiner will ask general questions about your life and interests. It’s a friendly, introductory section to warm you up for speaking.

2. Part 2: Long Turn (3-4 mins including preparation)
   You receive a topic card and 1 minute to prepare. Then, you must speak about the topic for up to 2 minutes without interruption. The examiner will listen but not speak during this time.

3. Part 3: Discussion (4-5 mins)
   This part includes questions related to the Part 2 topic but is more abstract and complex. You will have a conversation with the examiner, diving deeper into ideas and opinions.

Grading Criteria

The examiner will score your speaking based on four criteria:

• Fluency & Coherence: Can you speak smoothly without long pauses? Do your ideas link together logically?
• Lexical Resource (Vocabulary): How well can you use a range of vocabulary, including advanced words and phrases?
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Are you using a variety of grammatical structures correctly?
• Pronunciation: Can the examiner understand you easily? Are you using correct stress, intonation, and rhythm?

Example Activity

Quick Practice:
Let’s start with a simple Part 1 question:
“Do you prefer to start your day early or late? Why?”
Think about how you would answer this question. Try to give a clear and well-developed response.

Part 2: Strategies for Success

Answering Techniques

1. Part 1 (Introduction & Interview)

   • Keep your answers concise but informative (2-3 sentences).
   • Include a reason or example to support your answer.

   Example:
   “I prefer to start my day early because I feel more productive in the morning. It helps me complete my tasks before noon, leaving the rest of the day for relaxation.”

2. Part 2 (Long Turn)

   • Structure your answer: Start with an introduction, then provide details, and finally, wrap up with a conclusion.
   • Use the “P-E-E-L” technique: Point, Example, Explain, Link. This helps keep your answer organized and interesting.

3. Part 3 (Discussion)

   • Develop your answers with clear opinions and reasons.
   • Use linking words like “On the other hand,” “However,” “In contrast,” to connect ideas smoothly.

Key Vocabulary and Grammatical Structures

Before we practice, let’s learn some vocabulary and grammar structures that will help you expand your answers and sound more natural.

1. Vocabulary for Daily Routine & Lifestyle

• Routine Vocabulary: wake up, exercise, commute, work-life balance, unwind, schedule.

• Adverbs of Frequency: Use adverbs to describe how often you do activities – always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never.

  Example:
  “I usually start my day with a jog, as it energizes me for the rest of the day.”

2. Vocabulary for Family & Relationships

• Family Vocabulary: siblings, close-knit, extended family, celebrate, bond, relatives.

• Relationship Descriptors: supportive, understanding, caring, strict, respectful.

  Example:
  “I have a very supportive family. My parents always encourage me to pursue my passions.”

3. Grammatical Structures to Enhance Answers

• Present Simple Tense: Use this tense to talk about routines and general truths.

  • “I wake up at 6 AM every day.”

• Present Continuous Tense: Use it for ongoing actions or current situations.

  • “Right now, I am working on improving my English speaking skills.”

• Comparative Structures: Compare ideas to expand your answers.

  • “I prefer to spend time with my family rather than go out with friends because it makes me feel more connected.”

Part 3: Sample Questions & Model Answers

Daily Routine & Lifestyle

Question:
"What is a typical day like for you?"

Model Answer:
"On a typical day, I wake up around 6 AM and start with a quick workout, which gives me the energy to get through my day. Afterward, I have breakfast and then head to work, where I spend most of my time managing projects and collaborating with my team. In the evening, I like to unwind by reading a book or going for a walk."

Family & Relationships

Question:
"How important is family to you?"

Model Answer:
"Family is extremely important to me because they provide constant support and encouragement. Growing up in a close-knit family, I have always felt that my parents and siblings are my biggest motivators. We make it a point to spend quality time together, especially during weekends when we cook, talk, and play games together."

Part 4: Speaking Practice (40 mins)

Now it’s time to practice speaking! We’ll focus on the two main topics for today: Daily Routine & Lifestyle and Family & Relationships.

Daily Routine Practice

• Think about your routine on weekdays and weekends. What do you do every day? What activities do you enjoy?
• Pair Activity: Find a partner and take turns talking about your daily routine for 2-3 minutes each. Try to use some of the vocabulary and grammatical structures you just learned.

Family & Relationships Practice

• Reflect on your family structure and important relationships. Who are you closest to? What traditions does your family have?
• Group Activity: Form small groups. Each person talks about their family for 2-3 minutes while others listen and provide feedback. Use descriptors to give a full picture of your family life.

Part 5: Feedback Session

After your practice, take time to discuss with your group what went well and what can be improved:

• Did you use a range of vocabulary?
• Was your answer clear and easy to understand?
• Did you connect your ideas logically?

Homework

To reinforce today’s learning, choose one of the topics from today and practice speaking about it at home. Record yourself speaking for 2-3 minutes, then listen back to your recording. Pay attention to:

• Fluency: Are you speaking smoothly without too many pauses?
• Vocabulary Variety: Are you using a range of words to express your ideas?
• Pronunciation & Clarity: Can you clearly understand your own speech?