1. Use a Variety of Tenses in Your Responses

2. Make the Most of Idioms
Try my hand at...: to attempt something
Once in a blue moon...: rarely
Blow away!!!: to be overwhelmed
Under the weather: feeling really bad
...a big fan of = I like: to really enjoy something
Bring home the bacon: to earn a living
Couch potato: to be lazy
Spill the beans: to reveal a secret
One smart cookie: to compliment someone who is intelligent
Easy as pie: very easy


3. Tránh sử dụng quá nhiều many/much/very


4. Stalling for Time
A useful tip during the speaking section is when the examiner asks about topics you're not familiar with, something you rarely discuss. In such cases, try "stalling for time." This doesn't mean avoiding the topic or dragging out irrelevant talk to fill the time, but rather, start with familiar phrases to introduce the subject. Use common starter sentences like: "Well, that's an interesting question...", "I’ve never thought about that before, because..., but...", and so on. If the examiner throws a surprise question like: "How many types of transport are there in Vietnam?", and you can't think of an immediate answer, begin with something like: "There are several types of motor transport in Vietnam," and then proceed by listing your answers step by step: "Firstly...", "Secondly...", "Finally...". These time-stalling techniques help make your responses sound more polished. Just have a few phrases ready to buy yourself some time.


5. Elaborate on What You Just Said


6. Provide simple responses to straightforward questions
Avoid over-elaborating your answers. When the examiner asks you a question, try to respond clearly in just 2-3 sentences. Remember, the speaking test consists of two parts, and the examiner will ask many questions in each section. Therefore, concise and to-the-point answers are ideal. Long-winded responses may result in losing points, as the examiner doesn't have time to listen to unnecessary details.


7. Minimize word repetition
It's common to hesitate when answering questions because you might not have the right words ready. Even native speakers sometimes struggle with this. As a result, examiners are usually understanding if you can't respond instantly to a surprise question. However, remember that if you're unsure, pause for a second or two to think rather than repeating words you've already used. For example, saying, 'My hometown is Da Nang. Da Nang is...is...is' will likely frustrate the examiner, and it may cost you points, even if your answer is grammatically correct.
Effective methods to avoid repetition:
- Change your sentence structure
- Use synonyms
- Substitute words
- Use pronouns like 'that' or 'those' instead of nouns
- Use 'This/These + noun replacement'
- Place 'those' before 'who'
- Employ ellipsis (omitting words)
- Use 'The former' and 'The latter'


8. Add Adverbs Before Adjectives in Sentences
To achieve high scores in the IELTS exam, it's essential to showcase your extensive vocabulary to the examiner. Therefore, using more complex and sophisticated words is key. However, when you enter the exam room, you might forget the elegant and intricate words you've learned because they're rarely used in everyday conversation.
Even if you speak English frequently, you tend to use simpler words for communication. A helpful tip is to insert adverbs before basic adjectives, which allows you to form new phrases that enhance the quality of your responses. For instance, instead of saying: 'Ho Chi Minh City is crowded,' try adding 'incredibly' before crowded, making it: 'Ho Chi Minh City is incredibly crowded,' which sounds more impressive. A simple sentence like: 'I just bought a nice mobile phone,' can be improved to: 'I just bought an extremely nice mobile phone,' which sounds much more appealing.


