When it comes to comprehensive language assessment, IELTS is one of the most popular and globally recognized tests. One of the key parts of the IELTS test is the Speaking section, which provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to communicate verbally fluently and confidently. In the UAE, the Speaking section of the IELTS test in the UAE plays a crucial role in assessing students’ English language skills and their ability to use them effectively and efficiently in everyday and academic situations. This section requires students to be able to express their thoughts and opinions clearly and logically, listen and understand questions and instructions correctly, and interact with the examiner in a cooperative and appropriate manner.
The difference between the General Speaking Test and the Academic Speaking Test:
The Speaking section of the IELTS test in the UAE includes two different types: General Speaking and Academic Speaking. Here is the difference between them:
- Objective: It aims to assess the candidate’s ability to communicate in everyday and general situations.
- Target audience: It targets applicants who wish to immigrate or work in English-speaking countries, or students who wish to pursue education at the secondary level or technical education.
- Topics: Topics relate to everyday life, such as family, work, travel, shopping, sports, culture, hobbies, and personal events.
- Directions: The candidate is directed to answer questions and understand the conversation in general.
- Objective: It aims to assess the candidate’s ability to communicate in the academic and university environment.
- Target audience: It targets applicants who wish to enroll in universities or academic institutions or obtain a study visa.
- Topics: Topics relate to education, academic research, science, technology, culture, art, history, politics, and society.
- Directions: The candidate is directed to answer questions and understand the conversation in an academic and practical manner.
Candidates should be aware of the differences between general and academic conversation and practice each separately. Regardless of the type, candidates are assessed in the speaking section on their ability to communicate verbally, their response to questions, their use of English correctly and fluently, and their ability to organize and present ideas in a logical and coherent manner.
General Speaking Test:
The IELTS General Speaking test aims to assess a candidate's ability to communicate fluently and effectively in everyday situations. The test consists of three parts according to the following criteria:
Part One: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the candidate is asked general questions on personal and general topics. These questions are simple and designed to get to know the candidate and encourage him to speak confidently and clearly.
Part Two: The Subject Spoken
In this part, the candidate is given a topic to talk about and discuss for two minutes. The candidate is given three minutes to prepare before starting the conversation. This part requires the candidate to be able to organize his/her thoughts and present them in a logical and coherent manner.
Part Three: Discussion
In this part, the examiner engages the candidate in a two-way discussion about the topic raised in Part 2. The candidate's ability to engage in informed discussion, direct the dialogue and express an opinion in a well-reasoned and logical manner is assessed.
These three parts aim to assess the candidate's skills in verbal communication , organization, language comprehension, use of vocabulary and correct pronunciation, expression of opinion and participation in a useful discussion.
It is best for the candidate to practice speaking English regularly, engage in general conversations, listen to audio materials and watch English programmes and films. You can also use specialist IELTS review resources and practice oral test questions to prepare well for the IELTS Speaking test in the UAE.
Academic Speaking Test:
The Academic part of the Speaking section of the IELTS test in the UAE aims to assess the candidate’s ability to communicate in an academic and university environment. The candidate is assessed on a specific set of skills and abilities required to communicate effectively in an academic environment. Here is some information about the Academic Speaking test:
Test Objective : The test aims to determine the candidate's ability to communicate in a university academic environment in fluent English. This includes his ability to participate in class discussions, give presentations and reports, and participate in academic research activities.
Test Structure : The Academic Speaking section consists of three main parts:
- Introduction and directions: The candidate is directed to have a conversation with the examiner on specific academic topics.
- Individual assignment: The candidate is given an academic topic and has to prepare a conversation, present his/her views and provide examples and evidence to support them.
- Joint task: The candidate and the examiner must work together to discuss a specific academic topic, exchange opinions and information and give examples.
Test Topics : The Academic Test topics are varied and cover a wide range of academic fields such as science, technology, arts, history, culture, education, politics, and sociology. Candidates may receive specific topics or general topics that they must analyze and discuss.
Performance Evaluation: The examiner evaluates the candidate’s performance based on several criteria, including his/her ability to listen and understand, express himself/herself orally, use academic vocabulary and expressions, organize and present ideas in a logical and coherent manner, and interact appropriately with the examiner.
Good preparation and regular practice of academic conversation skills can help you achieve better results in this test. You can improve your abilities by practicing academic conversations regularly, increasing your academic vocabulary and expressions, and developing your analytical and critical thinking skills. In addition, you can use reliable educational resources and websites that provide examples and exercises of academic conversation. You should be able to approach academic topics confidently, present specific points of view, and provide examples and details to support your points. You should also practice listening effectively and interacting with the examiner appropriately.
What about excelling in IELTS oral questions?
In the Speaking section of the IELTS test in the UAE , the candidate is asked a variety of oral questions. These questions aim to assess the candidate’s ability to express an opinion and communicate effectively. Here are some common examples of the types of questions you may encounter:
Questions about personality and hobbies:
- Do you prefer reading or watching movies? And why?
- Do you practice any hobbies? What are the benefits of practicing them?
- Do you prefer to travel? And what is your favorite travel destination?
Questions about education and work:
- What is your university major? And why did you choose it?
- Do you prefer to work in a team or individually? And why?
- Do you have any plans for future study or professional development?
Questions about society and social issues:
- What do you think about the role of the government in developing infrastructure?
- What is the most important factor in choosing friends?
- How can we better protect the environment in our society?
- Questions about travel and tourism:
- Have you visited any famous tourist place? And what did you benefit from this visit?
- How important is tourism in boosting the local economy?
- Do you prefer to travel by plane or other means of transportation? And why?
These are just a few examples of the questions you may encounter in the Speaking section of the IELTS test in the UAE . It is a good idea to practise responding to a variety of questions so that you can express your opinions and ideas clearly and systematically.
Tips to excel in IELTS oral questions:
- Practice daily English conversation as much as possible to improve your speaking and listening skills with the Madrasa.com platform.
- Listen to English audio and video clips regularly to get used to different accents.
- Practice having short conversations on different topics such as work, study, family, etc.
- Try to respond in complete, clear sentences and avoid short answers that may show a lack of understanding.
- Use a variety of vocabulary and correct grammar structures that demonstrate your command of the language.
- Be confident while answering and speak clearly and fluently to the examiner.
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