|
Before the test begins, the examiner will check
your identification. For security reasons you will be asked to bring your
passport or some other photographic identification. You will be asked to sign
your name, which will be matched up with the photograph and signature on your
IELTS application form. The test will
then be conducted in five phases, which we will now describe in turn.
Phase 1:
Introduction
In Phase 1, the examiner will first introduce
himself or herself and will invite you to do the same. You may be asked some
general questions about your background, family, home or personal interests.
SKILL Greeting the
interviewer and introducing yourself.
Phrases you could use:
- ‘Good afternoon. My name is
(name) .
- ‘Hello. My name is
(name) but most of my friends call me
(shortened version of name/nickname) .
Think about questions that the examiner might
ask about the personal information you provided on the application form. With
a partner, take turns interviewing each other with questions based on this
information. Try to give full and comprehensive answers to each question.
Phase 2: Extended
discourse
In phase 2, the interviewer will encourage you
to speak for a longer period of time on a familiar topic. You may be asked to
speak on topics related to your country, such as customs or lifestyle, and
your personal involvement with these. The aim of Phase 2 is to show the
interviewer that you can describe something, tell a story, give information
or directions or express your opinion without relying on the interviewer to
help you through the task.
The idea is for you to talk and give as much
information as you can. Do not simply answer 'yes' or 'no'. Remember, the
interview should be like a conversation. Do not memorize responses. If you
appear to be reciting from memory, the examiner will interrupt and ask a
different question.
Before you begin preparing for Phase 2, you may
wish to make a list of topics related to your country, culture, lifestyle,
personal interests, etc. Once you have completed such a list, form questions
that relate to each of the skills for this phase. Think about possible
questions that could be asked.
With a speaking partner, practice interviewing
and being interviewed. Try to give full and comprehensive answers to each
question.
SKILL Providing general factual information.
Questions you may be
asked:
- ‘What are some important
festivals in your country?'
- ‘What kind of climate does
your country have?'
- ‘What are some of the main
industries in your country?'
SKILL Expressing your opinions and attitudes.
Questions you may be asked:
- What do you enjoy about the
traditional music of your country?
- ‘What do you think are
positive and negative aspects of your country's education system?'
- ‘Would you prefer to live in
the city or in the countryside and why?
SKILL Describing a place, event or
situation.
Questions you may be asked:
- ‘Could you describe the
village/town/city in which you grew up'?
- ‘What happens during
(cultural event, such as Chinese New Year/Christmas) in your country'?
- ‘Could you tell me how you
like to spend your leisure time?'
SKILL Comparing places, events or
situations.
Questions you may be asked:
- ‘How is (city where candidate
is studying) different from (candidate's home city)?’
- ‘What is the difference
between shopping in (city where candidate is studying) and shopping in
(candidate's home city)?’
- ‘What do you like most about
living in (country where candidate is studying)? How does that compare
with (candidate's home country)?’
SKILL You should be able to give
directions and instructions.
Questions you may be asked:
- ‘Could you tell me, in
detail, how you got from your home to the test centre this morning?’
- ‘If I had to catch a train or
bus in (candidate's home city) what would I do?’
- ‘If I were to meet (an
important older person) in your culture, how should I greet them to be
polite and show respect?’
SKILL You should be able to re-tell
a story or a sequence of events.
Questions you may be asked:
- ‘What happens in (an
important festival) in your country?’
- ‘What is the most
embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?’
- ‘What did you do when you
were preparing to leave (candidate's home country) to come to (country
of study)?’
SKILL Explaining how or why something is
done.
Questions you may be asked:
- ‘Why do people do
what?’(referring to something just mentioned)
- ‘Could you tell me more about
the procedure involved in (the topic under discussion)’
- ‘How do people celebrate the
New Year in (candidate's country)?’
Phase 3: Elicitation
In Phase 3, the interviewer wants to ascertain
how competent you are at gaining information on a given topic.
You will be given a card. On this card will be
written a brief outline of a particular situation. The card will state your
role and the role of the interviewer. You need to ask questions to find out
more information. The card will suggest things for you to ask but these are
only given to you as a guide. Do not feel compelled to follow these
suggestions if you have ideas of your own.
You are responsible for starting the
conversation and, to some degree, developing and directing the flow of
dialogue.
To prepare for Phase 3, select one of the
exercises from the Practice work cards below. Practice asking questions with
a partner.
Phase 4: Speculation and
attitudes
In Phase 4, the interviewer will converse with
you in greater depth on a particular topic. Topics that may be discussed
include your plans for the immediate and long-term future and the impact that
these may have on you and your family. Your opinion about, attitude towards
and reasons for your particular future plans may also be discussed.
The interviewer may not understand or agree
with some of your responses. You may be asked to expand or elaborate on some
point that you have made, so be prepared for such a response. Being prepared,
however, never means memorizing set responses.
During Phase 4, the interviewer will allow the
discussion to become more complex. He or she may refer to other comments you
have previously made so you may have to defend your opinion or give a more
detailed explanation of an idea you have already mentioned.
Before you begin preparing for Phase 4, you may
wish to make a list of your future plans under the headings of academic,
professional, personal and possible consequences of these plans. Also, make a
list of topics that relate to your personal interests in life as well as a
wider ranges of topics relating to your country, profession and specific area
of study.
SKILL Discussing your future plans.
Questions you may be asked:
- ‘Tell me what you plan to do
when you finish your undergraduate studies.’
- ‘Have you thought about which
university you would like to study at and why?’
- ‘How did you come to choose
(a chosen area of study)?’
- ‘Would you ever like to have
your own business? Why or why not?’
Here are some key phrases you could use:
|
In the future
|
I hope to
I would like to
|
successfully
complete
|
a foundation course.
a master's degree.
|
|
In a few years
|
I intend to
I'm planning to
|
graduate from
study at
|
the University of Sydney.
Astoria College.
|
|
In two years
|
what I have in mind is to
|
major in
study
explore the area of
|
Psychology.
International Trade.
Marketing.
|
|
Within three years
|
I imagine I will
|
receive
complete
|
a BA.
an MA.
an MBA.
a PhD.
|
|
SKILL Expressing your feelings,
opinions and attitudes.
Questions you may be asked:
- ‘What are your thoughts about
(controversial issue)?’
- ‘How would you feel if (a
controversial issue) were to happen in the next three or four years?’
- ‘You seem to support (a
controversial viewpoint). Why is this?’
- ‘Have you ever had to choose
between (X) and (Y)? How did you make this decision? How did you feel as
a result of your choice?’
SKILL Explaining why you made certain
decisions in the past and giving reasons for your plans for the future.
Questions you may be asked:
- ‘How did you know that you
wanted to become a (candidate's choice of profession)?’
- ‘When did you decide to study
overseas? What influenced you to make this decision?’
- ‘Why have you decided to
study (candidate's choice of study)? How will this help your future
career?’
SKILL Expressing agreement and
disagreement.
Questions you may be asked:
- ‘I agree with you to a point
on this matter, but could you expand on it a little more, please?’
- ‘I'm not quite convinced by
what you are saying. Could you develop your idea more for me, please?’
- ‘I'm sorry I don't quite
understand what you are trying to say. Could you put it another way,
please?’
Phrases you could use when agreeing:
- ‘Well, of course ...
Naturally ... I couldn't agree more ...’
Phrases you could use when disagreeing:
- ‘I'm sorry. I can't agree
with you ... I don't really think so ...’
- ‘That may be so but ...
Unfortunately, I have a different point of view ...’
SKILL Discussing hypothetical situations
and speculating on future events.
Questions you may be asked:
- ‘How do you think having a
degree from an overseas university is going to help your job prospects
when you return to (candidate's home country)?’
- ‘Do you think that the time
spent studying in a foreign country is going to benefit you personally?
If so, in what ways?’
- ‘How do you think your
country benefits when students return from studying abroad?’
SKILL Following and responding to changes
in tone and direction in the interview.
Questions you may be asked:
- ‘Do you have any regrets
about choosing (candidate's choice of profession) or (candidate's choice
of country in which to study)?’
- ‘If you could repeat the year
of your life, what would you do differently?’
- ‘What advice would you give
other students planning on (studying overseas)?’
Phase 5: Conclusion
This is the final section of the assessment and
will naturally follow on from Phase 4. The interviewer will let you know that
the interview has come to an end, wish you good luck and say goodbye.
You can prepare yourself for this phase by
becoming familiar with common expressions of leave-taking, noting them and practicing
responses to them.
SKILLS Noting that the interview is
finishing and saying thank you (with a smile!).
Phrases you could use:
- ‘Thank you very much.’
- ‘Goodbye.’
- ‘See you.’
Coping with the
interview
There may be times in the interview when you
may not understand what the examiner is saying because he or she may be
speaking too softly or too quickly. Perhaps the examiner may be using words
or phrases you do not know. At these times, do not be afraid to assert
yourself. Ask the examiner to speak more loudly, more slowly or to use other
words. Also, do not hesitate to ask the examiner to repeat his or her words
at any time.
Phrases you could use:
- ‘Could I ask you to speak
more loudly please?’
- ‘Sorry but I didn't catch
that. Would you please repeat what you just said?’
|
‘I'm not quite sure what
you mean. Could you explain it to me?’
I hope that this post will be extremely useful to help everyone to develop better communication skills in general and to score better in IELTS exam in particular.
Our Popular Programs:
1. Shaping
Young Minds
English improvement
and personality development program
2.
Sunday English Speaking Club
Master art of Public
Speaking in 6 Sundays
3.
Learn@Rs.350/-pm
Our internet based program on English improvement
4.
Training Workshops
For companies and
educational institutes
5. IELTS/TOEFL Coaching
Find us at:
Mobile: (91) 88666 80407, 97279
19756
|
