FREE
Part 1 · familiar topics
Give natural, relevant answers to everyday questions. Extend responses with a reason or an example.
See Part 1 prompts →FREE IELTS SPEAKING CLASS
Speak naturally.
Structure your ideas.
Try realistic Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3-style practice with a simple timed speaking tool. This is practice, not an AI-scored mock test.
THE THREE SPEAKING PARTS
Know what each part asks of you.
FREE
Part 2 · long turn
Prepare notes, speak for up to two minutes and develop the topic with a connected story.
Use the timer →FREE
Part 3 · discussion
Explain opinions, compare situations and explore reasons, changes and effects.
See Part 3 prompts →PART 1
Warm-up prompts
What do you enjoy about your hometown?Do you prefer studying in the morning or evening?How do you use technology to learn English?What kind of books do you like?
Try answering each question in 20–30 seconds. Give a direct answer, a reason and one concrete detail.
SPEAKING PART 2 PRACTICE
Your timed cue card
Describe a skill you learned that has been useful to you.
You should say:
- what the skill is
- when and how you learned it
- why you decided to learn it
- and explain how it has helped you
You have one minute to prepare. Then speak for up to two minutes.
PRACTISE THE LONG TURN
01:00
Preparation time
The timer runs in this browser. It does not record or score your voice.
PART 3
Develop the discussion
Why do some people find it difficult to learn new skills?
Try exploring time, motivation and access to learning support.
Is it more important to learn practical skills or academic knowledge?
Consider context, explain your view and recognise exceptions.
How might technology change skills training in the future?
Make a prediction and support it with a plausible example.
LEARN THE ANSWER METHOD
What a natural Speaking answer sounds like
Your Speaking Part 1 Masterclass teaches A+R+E: Answer → Reason → Example. Instead of memorising a script, adapt the structure to your own experience.
Answer
“I usually prefer studying in the evening.”
Reason
“It's quieter once my family has finished dinner.”
Example
“For instance, I can concentrate on a reading passage without interruptions.”
For Part 3, qualify
“That said, mornings might work better for people with evening jobs.”
SEPTEMBER–DECEMBER 2026
Explore 2026 topic practice ↗Practise themes reported this season
Daily routines, art, quiet places, reading, learning and public places—plus original cue cards and Task 2 practice questions. Candidate-reported, not official future questions.
SPEAKING AT A GLANCE
11–14 minutes with a real examiner.
The Speaking test is a live conversation, recorded for marking. It is the same for Academic and General Training.
| Part | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 4–5 minutes | Questions about you and familiar topics such as home, work, study and hobbies. |
| Part 2 | 3–4 minutes | A cue card: 1 minute to prepare with pen and paper, then speak for 1–2 minutes. The examiner may ask one or two follow-up questions. |
| Part 3 | 4–5 minutes | A discussion of more abstract ideas linked to the Part 2 topic. |
HOW YOU ARE MARKED
Four criteria, equally weighted.
01
Fluency and Coherence
Speaking at length without long pauses and organising ideas so they are easy to follow.
02
Lexical Resource
Using a range of natural vocabulary and rephrasing when you do not know a word.
03
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Mixing simple and complex sentences, and controlling tenses.
04
Pronunciation
Being easy to understand. A native-speaker accent is not required.
AVOID THESE
Five common Speaking mistakes
01
One-word answers
In Part 1, add a reason or a short example to every answer.
02
Memorised speeches
Examiners notice rehearsed answers. Practise structures, not scripts.
03
Stopping too early in Part 2
Use your notes to keep going until the examiner stops you.
04
Short Part 3 answers
Give a view, explain it, give an example, then consider another side.
05
Silence when stuck
Use natural phrases such as "That's an interesting question; let me think…" to buy time.
QUESTIONS STUDENTS ASK
Speaking FAQs
Can I ask the examiner to repeat a question?
Yes. Asking politely, for example "Could you say that again, please?", is natural and does not lose marks.
Does my accent affect my score?
Pronunciation is about how easy you are to understand, not which accent you have.
Is it OK to say I don't know much about a topic?
Yes, briefly, but then keep talking: say what you do know or what you imagine. The examiner is assessing your English, not your knowledge.
Can I use my Part 2 notes?
Yes. You can look at your notes while you speak; just don't read them out word for word.