Lesson 1 of 24
Test format
What happens in the test
Speaking is a recorded interview with an examiner lasting 11–14 minutes. Academic and General Training use the same Speaking test. The conversation progresses from everyday questions to a sustained individual turn and then a broader discussion. Official IELTS Speaking format.
| Part | Time | Your task |
|---|---|---|
| 1: introduction and interview | 4–5 minutes | Respond to questions about familiar topics such as study, work, home and interests. |
| 2: individual long turn | 3–4 minutes including preparation | Read a task card, prepare for one minute, then speak for up to two minutes. Answer a short follow-up if asked. |
| 3: discussion | 4–5 minutes | Explain and discuss wider issues connected to the Part 2 topic. |
The examiner manages the timing and may move to another question while you still have something to say. Follow the next question. An interruption is not, by itself, evidence of a low score. The topic card and preparation notes support your Part 2 talk; you do not read a prepared essay. British Council test format.
What changes between the parts
Think of three different distances from your own life. In Part 1, describe your routine or preference: where you walk and why. In Part 2, build one detailed account: a walk you remember. In Part 3, discuss a general issue: how cities can make walking more attractive. Staying at the right distance helps you answer the actual question.
Your preparation should include all three situations. Practise brief responses, longer independent speech and a conversation in which the next question is unpredictable. Reading models silently cannot replace speaking aloud.
First practice
Record three responses: “Where do you usually study?”, “Describe a skill you learned recently”, and “Why do adults continue learning new skills?” Listen for whether each response fits its question. Save the recording as your starting point; compare it with a later recording of different questions.