IELTS Speaking: My Method vs Unrealistic Methods
Introduction: In this lesson, I will address a question asked by one of our members (Alex) regarding the methods for answering questions in Part 1 of the IELTS speaking test. Alex mentioned that while I recommend giving short, direct answers, some teachers who claim to have scored band 8.5 or 9 advise giving long, detailed answers. I will compare an example of a long answer provided by one of these teachers with the kind of answer I would give. By comparing the methods and sharing my opinion on the other teacher's advice, we will gain a better understanding of effective strategies for Part 1 of the speaking test.
Question: What do you dislike about your school or job?
The Other Teacher's Sample Answer: "While I enjoy teaching and derive pleasure from it, there are certain aspects of this occupation that are not desirable, which is true for any job. One aspect that I dislike is the unsocial working hours. Teachers often have to teach in the evening as it is the most convenient time for students and working adults. Additionally, the workload is overwhelming, including time spent marking students' essays and answering their questions. Unfortunately, such efforts often go unnoticed. Therefore, being a teacher is a significant responsibility."
My Sample Answer: "I would have to say that marking essays is my least favorite aspect of my job as a teacher. It is time-consuming and requires a lot of concentration to do it properly."
Analysis: The other teacher's method involves providing a full paragraph answer, as evident in the sample answer provided above. It contains an introduction sentence, two ideas, and a concluding sentence. On the other hand, my method suggests giving a direct answer along with a reason.
I believe that the advice given by some teachers is unrealistic due to two main reasons:
- Time: In Part 1 of the speaking test, the examiner must ask around 10 questions within a limited time frame of 4 to 5 minutes. Examiners expect candidates to provide their answer and quickly move on to the next question. If candidates continue speaking for an extended period, the examiner may interrupt them.
- What is being tested: Part 1 of the speaking test aims to be an easy, informal interview. Examiners seek direct answers to simple questions, primarily evaluating overall fluency and basic accuracy at this stage. Constructing full-paragraph answers may result in less fluent and less accurate responses.
The direct answer + reason method I propose seems much more practical and appropriate for Part 1 of the speaking test.
However, you might wonder why other teachers recommend the long-answer method. The reasons are uncertain. It could be a desire to show off, a marketing strategy, or a lack of experience as IELTS teachers.
What I am certain of is that long answers in Part 1 are not advisable. Instead, adhere to my simple method: Provide a direct answer along with a reason, and then stop! Show a smile to the examiner to indicate the completion of your answer, and they will happily proceed to the next question.
Study Task: Using my method, let's consider how you would answer the Part 1 speaking question below:
"What's your favorite color?"
Can you imagine answering this question using the full-paragraph method? It would be impractical, right?
Note: While some teachers give this unrealistic advice, the majority of IELTS teachers (based on my experience) impart similar advice to mine.
