Understanding the Accent Game of IELTS Exam: How To Practice?

Language can be learned but the way with which that language is to be pronounced is called accent. That accent may be connected with a particular region, country, or area. In IELTS listening and speaking exams, accent plays a very important role and that, too, can be a barrier in speaking or understanding that particular language. Therefore, Accent in IELTS listening and Accent in IELTS speaking are important topics for IELTS preparation. Students cannot ignore these to perform better in examinations.

Well students, to overcome this hurdle in your understanding of the English language, you have to acquaint yourself with the wide variety of English accents worldwide. One can also refer to BDS YouTube Channel for really valuable content in the practice of your IELTS exam. 

Accents of English language

Many students are confused with accent meaning in English. So, first of all, a student needs to know the different types of accents of an English language spoken over the globe. It comes from Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Actually, the fact is, there is a total of 160 different types of dialects of English. Jokes apart, don’t be afraid of the number of dialects as a student can start practicing for widely and commonly used accents in exams that is, the British accent.

Listening Test

Starting with the listening test, a student has to know the format of the test first. There are basically two types of conversations in front of students to which they get to listen.

• A monologue- Only one person is speaking. The topic can be academic or factual.
• A duo conversation.- Wherein two or more people are communicating and topic can be debate or speech.

To Practice

Listening can be improved if you are able to understand the language first. IELTS is an international test so listening to audio can be based on different accents of language. Following are some tips to beat the accent game in the listening test:-

• Immediately, start watching English news or English movies. The more you listen, the more you improve. If you are watching a movie and you get to overcome some difficult words in between, pause at that particular point in time and write down that words along with their pronunciation.

Some of the English-language news channels are BBC and CNN.

• Listen to online audio and videos. Try to remember the accents of different speakers. For example- Start watching the travel videos where a travel vlogger has communicated to native people of a particular region and you will get the real-life idea of their communication.
• You can take the help of Google too. Write any of the difficulties which you don’t know how to pronounce.

• Listening can also be improved by listening to the English music of different singers belonging to diverse countries. The best way to practice this is by listening to lyrical videos over the web. This will not only improve your pronunciation but also tightens your grip on fast audio.

Read More: 10 Best IELTS Listening Tips

Speaking Test

A speaking test is conducted basically to check your communication skills and the way with which a student converse with his/her fellows. As it is an international English language exam, a widely accepted accent should be conversed through. It gets polished with practical implications.

Format of the Test

The speaking test includes three speaking rounds on an overall average of 11 to 14 minutes of time.

• First-round is a general introduction round wherein a student is made comfortable with the environment.
• The second round is a cue card round where a topic is given and a speech of 2 minutes is expected.
• The third round is again a question-answer round where the cross-questioning is done out of the topic.

Here accent practice does not demand that a student is able to speak the accent of the test taker but a student should be able to communicate the message with proper fluency of language.

To Practice

The question that is still unanswered that how to beat the accent game in the speaking test. Yes, there is n number of ways of practicing your speaking of the English language.

• As usually suggested, spend enough time conversing with your family and friends in English. An unusual tip suggested for you is that start with writing your daily routine at the end of the day and speak out by watching what is written.

Benefit

Ideas will enhance. In general, speaking test topics cover real-life situations related to your life. At that time, if you have practiced your daily situations, you will not have to think about it.

1. Vocabulary too enhances. Some words will be added to your dictionary and spontaneity becomes your key element.
2. Past tense mistakes will be removed. Of course, most the students commit the mistake of tenses in exams. It will help to remove that too.
3. Your accent practice will get fastened. Accent will be improved as you will get to speak with fluency over the language.

After some time, try to speak out about your daily routine without writing.

• Start with the reading of English literature. It may include British novels, stories, or poems. This too will help your kids to add some difficult words to their vocabulary.

Reminder

In the speaking exam, a very tough vocabulary is not demanded but the ideas and the fluency with which one speaks.

• Do not try to change your natural accent by following any other British or American accent. Go with the natural flow but with effective vocabulary, and ideas, and be stuck to the topic.
• Practice phonetics and sounds of the English language. Read books aloud so that you can take care of the sounds coming out of your mouth. Search for the words of which the pronunciation is not clear to you.
• Voice modulation is very important in speaking. How is it possible that you speak very brilliantly in your mother tongue but not English?

Well, the answer is you take it as a test and you parrot your language. Do not speak at one pace. Practice reading books aloud, especially dialogue books where you can adjust your pitch accordingly.

Conclusion

Yes, the accent is vital to be understood but a complete focus and determination to learn can never deceive you. Go with the flow of your practice and be confident in your senses about what you listen to or what you speak. Sign Up today for Dr. Roma's IELTS Preparation Course for daily practice and get desired band score in IELTS.