Quick answer: To teach IELTS speaking well you don’t need to be an examiner – you need to know the test format and build your students’ natural spoken English. The speaking test has three parts, lasts 11–14 minutes and is scored from band 1 to 9 on fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. This first article covers the essentials and a lesson structure you can reuse; part two drills into each part with sample material.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most popular English tests, with an estimated several million people across 140+ countries taking the exam each year. In this first part of a two-part blog, Louisa Walsh looks at the essential features of the IELTS test, and then in part two she drills down into the specific elements and how you can help your English language learners prepare.
What are the essential features of the IELTS test?
The test covers reading, speaking, listening and writing, and learners can opt to take either an academic version (ideal for university entry) or the general training version, which is best for immigration and work purposes. Whichever your students take, the speaking and listening sections are exactly the same.
Learners are scored on each section and obtain an overall test score, which ranges from band 1 (low) to band 9 (expert). As a guide, many English-speaking universities ask for band 6.5 or higher. A good IELTS score is often a gateway to further education or work opportunities, so there is a lot of demand for teachers who can help learners improve their scores. Familiarise yourself with the official IELTS test format before you start planning.
What is in each part of the IELTS speaking test?
The speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, split into three parts. Knowing the shape of it is the single most useful thing you can give a nervous student – most of their anxiety comes from not knowing what is coming. Here is the format at a glance:
| Part | Timing | What happens | What’s assessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Interview | 4–5 min | Familiar questions about home, work, study, interests | Everyday fluency and range |
| Part 2: Long turn | 3–4 min | 1-minute prep, then talk for 1–2 min from a cue card | Extended, organised speech |
| Part 3: Discussion | 4–5 min | Abstract discussion linked to the Part 2 topic | Opinions, comparison, speculation |
Candidates are scored on four equally weighted criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource (vocabulary), grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Notice that three of those four reward natural, flexible language rather than perfect grammar – which is why the way you teach matters so much.
Why focus on the speaking part of the test as a teacher?
The speaking test often presents the hardest aspect for learners. Perhaps this is because it values natural English rather than formal English or large chunks of memorised, rehearsed phrases. Learners don’t need very sophisticated language. Instead, they need to show natural English – good pronunciation, intonation, fluency and appropriate language and grammar for the task. Coaching students to memorise essay-like answers is one of the most common mistakes teachers make; examiners are trained to spot rehearsed language and it can actually lower the score.
How to structure an IELTS speaking lesson
You don’t need a special method – a solid communicative lesson works well when you shape it around the test. Here is a reliable framework you can reuse for any speaking topic:
- Warm up on the topic. Introduce the theme (family, travel, technology) and pre-teach a handful of useful words and collocations so students have the raw material to speak.
- Expose them to natural English. Play a short dialogue, podcast or graded listening on the topic and discuss it – a site like BreakingNewsEnglish, which grades material by level and speed, is ideal.
- Model the task. Show a good answer – the answer/explain/example pattern – and highlight the fluency phrases and linkers that make it flow.
- Practise under test conditions. Have students do the real thing in pairs, one as candidate and one as examiner, timing each part.
- Give targeted feedback. Focus on one or two of the four criteria at a time so feedback is manageable and students can see clear progress.
Common student problems (and fixes)
- Answers that are too short. Teach the answer, explain, give-an-example habit so a one-word reply becomes three sentences.
- Freezing on Part 2. Drill the one-minute planning stage – quick notes under who / what / when / why – so the cue card feels manageable.
- Memorised, robotic answers. Swap rehearsed scripts for flexible chunks (“It’s difficult to say, but…”) that work on any topic.
- Fear of silence. Give them thinking-aloud phrases so a pause sounds natural rather than lost.
Frequently asked questions
Can any English teacher teach IELTS?
Yes. You don’t need to be a former examiner – you need to know the test format and be able to build natural spoken English. Any qualified TEFL/TESOL teacher can teach IELTS well by learning the four assessment criteria and structuring communicative lessons around the test tasks. A course module on exam classes, like the one on our TESOL Professional course, speeds this up.
How long does IELTS speaking prep take?
It depends on the gap between the student’s current level and their target band. As a rough guide, moving up half a band typically takes several weeks of regular practice. Focus on the fastest wins first – extending short answers and adding fluency phrases – before drilling finer grammar and pronunciation.
What band is “good enough” for most students?
Many English-speaking universities ask for an overall band 6.5, and skilled-migration schemes often want 6.0–7.0. Always check the specific requirement for the student’s university or visa, because a strong score in one section can’t always make up for a low score in another.
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What next? Good IELTS teachers are in demand and can often charge more, so specialising is a great way to stand out in the TESOL marketplace.
* Check out the Global English TESOL Professional course, which has a module on teaching IELTS.
* Watch an IELTS speaking test in the video below.
* Read part two of our article, where we analyse the different parts of the speaking test in detail.