How To Improve English Speaking Skills for IELTS?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. IELTS consists of four individual modules i.e. Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening. Every single module is important to cut a good band score in IELTS. As you know, many students are struggling to make a good band score in the Speaking module. Well, you might be perfect in English grammar and vocabulary but, find yourself at a loss when it comes to having a conversation with a native speaker. This is nothing but a lack of practice and confidence. You might be wondering, how to improve English Speaking skill for IELTS?
Steps to be followed:

• Always Speak in English: Surround Yourself With The English Language
• Find a Speaking Partner
• Record Your Conversation
• Mirror as Speaking Partner
• Practice With Music and Movies
• Read Aloud
• Listen More to Develop Your Speaking
• Talk to Yourself

How To Improve English Speaking Skills for IELTS?

Here are some important tips to be followed, to naturally increase your speaking skill in English.

Always Speak in English: Surround Yourself With The English Language

As your intention is to develop your speaking skill best way is to surround yourself in an English speaking environment. Use English even in your daily conversation. Watch movies, comedy or news in English. Read English newspapers loudly, even speak in English with your family members and friends. Don't get shy if your speaking is not good enough, people might laugh at you. Just skip it. My suggestion is, make English your first priority language. Make an environment like you are living in an English speaking country. Practice making your daily conversation in English rather than your native language.

Find a Speaking Partner

Find yourself an English speaking partner, it would be great if your partner is a native English speaker. Speaking with a native speaker is the most effective way to develop one's skill in any language. However, if you cannot manage a native speaker, don't get panic. Find out someone who has the same intention as yours and practice. Joining a speaking club or debating club, and volunteer organization could be a great way to develop your speaking skill. Nowadays, even you can find a speaking partner online. So, seize the opportunity.

Record Your Conversation

The recording is a great way to develop your speaking skill. It will give you the opportunity to evaluate your own speaking skill, diagnose the weak points and mistakes. Therefore, you will have the chance to fix your problems. There is also the option to review the contents and topics. You may record your conversation or voice via cell phone or recorder. There are many mobile apps that are also providing such facilities, might be helpful.

Mirror as Speaking Partner

Suppose, you are in such a place where you cannot manage any speaking partner. Therefore, you may use a mirror in front of you. Many students cannot make eye contact with the examiner due to lack of confidence and practice. In that case, a mirror could be a great friend of you.

Practice With Music and Movies

Watching movies or listen to music in English is another important way to develop individual skill in English. It is one of the best tools for learning intonation pronunciation. It also helps to remember vocabulary and phrases at the same time helps to pronounce English in a more natural way. Imitating the singer, you may learn to pronounce phrases the way native speakers do. If you find it difficult to understand the movie, you might find it useful to watch with subtitle. It will develop your listening and reading skill at the same time. However, it's a lengthy process indeed.

Read Aloud

Reading aloud is a noticeable way to develop your speaking and reading skills when there are no conversation partners available. If you don't have access to a recording device, simply read aloud for at least 15 to 20 minutes regularly. This way, you'll get used to speaking for longer periods of time. If you are preparing for PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English), reading aloud will help you greatly. PTE has an individual section for "Reading Aloud". Focus on the books that have a lot more dialogues. Reading aloud from a transcript, you could check your pronunciation by listening to how the speaker says something.

Listen More to Develop Your Speaking

When practicing with your speaking partner, try to balance your listening and speaking. Prepare questions in advance so that the conversation will flow back and forth. Listen to English podcast, songs, news report as much as you can. Download IELTS listening course materials and start practicing. 

Talk to Yourself

Narrating your daily activities could be a great way to practice speaking English. Self-talking can boost your fluency in translating your thoughts into spoken words. It's a bit pressure-free way to practice, as no one will hear your mistakes.

Last but not least, practice more and more. To develop skill in an individual language (English) needs 100 percent dedication. So, honestly ask yourself, do you really want to learn it? If your answer is Yes, you are ready to get it.