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Techniques on using connectors for gap filling in IELTS speaking

Connectors are playing a huge role in IELTS speaking to give a clear idea of your English skills. There are several speaking connectors, you can use to show the examiner your level of English. 

Some tips to remember during your IELTS speaking test:

Avoid cramming answers

You don't need to memorize answers, especially in Part 1 of your IELTS speaking. You should know that memorized language doesn't give accurate fathoms about your English-language skills to your examiner. He can easily tell if you are a genuine speaker or using a crammed answer. It may impact your IELTS band score.

Avoid using complex words

It is true to say that some candidates try to impress the examiner with difficult words in their Speaking test. But they should avoid using words they are not familiar with to be on the safe side. More the big words, the more the chances of making mistakes by either mispronouncing words or using them out of context. These silly mistakes can give a huge impact on your IELTS scores.

Instead, you must use a broad range of vocabulary that you know is relevant to the topic being talked about. 

Effective use of grammar

It is a must to know how your IELTS examiner marks you. When IELTS examiners assess your IELTS speaking skills, they score you based on the following criteria:

  • Fluency and coherence: It determines how fluently you speak while responding to your examiner. Also, you have to prove How you use vocabulary for IELTS speaking?
  • Lexical resource: It is used in IELTS speech to observe how effortlessly and fluently you can choose the appropriate words and linkers to convey accurate meanings. The more the improvement in this aspect, the higher are chances of securing a good IELTS band score.
  • Grammatical range and accuracy: If you are keen to get a high band score in the IELTS Speaking Test, you need to have good grammatical knowledge and use it in speech accurately.
  • Pronunciation: It determines how you use individual sounds, clarity in words, rhythm, and sentence stress. It involves fluency with the right amount of pausing in between.
Henceforth, you should try and use a range of grammatical structures to reveal what you want to say. 

 Having an accent is not a priority but coherence is

The IELTS examiner understands various accents so he will be able to understand what you speak, with an in-person IELTS Speaking test. If you can communicate correctly then there is nothing to get nervous about. But you must be aware of pronunciation, and appropriate intonation and know when to stress some words while speaking. You can practice with friends or an IELTS trainer who will tell you whether they can or cannot understand what you are speaking. You can join IELTS online coaching to improve more. Dr. Roma Ielts is preferably the best IELTS online expert.

Just think or take a small pause while responding

Well, there is no disadvantage in pausing to think while responding to your examiner. You should use speaking phrases for IELTS, linking words to give you time to think while giving your Speaking test. You may use:

  • That's an interesting question
  • I have never thought about that, but...
  • That is a good point
  • Well, some people say that is the case, But, I think
Don’t use fillers

You need to speak confidently in front of the examiner and avoid using filler words. Filler words are used in speech when candidates don't know what to say. However, it gives the examiner an idea that you don’t know the appropriate language or ideas. That's why it's important to avoid them and use the phrases discussed in the article. Don’t use the following filers:

  • Like
  • You know
  • Umm
  • Ahh
  • Ehh
  • Well
  • Yeah
Tell your answers in explanations

Candidates must try and respond to the examiner's questions in full. They should extend their answers and don't sit idle to avoid being questioned by the examiner promptly. When your answers are brief, this tells the examiner that you cannot talk in detail about a subject. If the examiner asks you the reason for anything, they are prompting you to give a solid reason for your answer and to extend it more completely.

Show grin while pronouncing words

Do you know Smiling can benefit you while speaking? A smiling face shows more confidence to the examiner. A Smile can help relax you mentally which in turn helps you pronounce words better. You have to make sure that you speak clearly, and open your mouth wide enough so that the examiner can listen and understand very clearly. While smiling, the tone of our voice is friendlier. Using clear speech and tone will show the examiner that you can use a variety of pronunciation characteristics.

Don't speak in a single tone

Sometimes while speaking, most people do produce a monotone, with little variation in tone. Hence, it becomes challenging to express what you speak and makes it even harder for the listener to choose what parts of your speech are important. So, you must not avoid stressing about certain words and pausing at different sections in your speech since it can make your conversation with the IELTS examiner more interesting. 

Kindly Practice some common IELTS topics

The second part of the IELTS Speaking test makes you speak on a given topic for about 2 minutes. So, it is never defined which topic will be given to you. Hence, it is necessary to practice some common IELTS topics with your colleagues, trainers, and friends to enhance and learn the vocabulary linked with each topic. Joining an IELTS course online is the best solution to practice harder and achieve your goals. Below are some common topics that you can practice for speaking:

  • Tourism and travel
  • Education
  • Transport
  • Environment
  • Family life
  • Sport and recreation
  • Crime and punishment
  • The internet
  • Advertising and retail
Using linking words or connectors helps the examiner get your idea and meaning of speech.
  • To add more information, you should use: And, also, as well as, Another reason is.
  • Time phrases will help the examiner understand the past or present: now, at present, at the moment, these days, before, then, years ago, after, etc.
  • You can use expressions for expressing ideas while speaking: I think one important thing is, I guess one difference is, etc.
  • Speaking phrases to talk about causes and solutions: I guess it's because, The main reason is, It was caused by, The best way to solve this is, I think the best way to solve this problem is.
  • When you have to add examples then use the phrases: For example, For instance, Such as.
Examples of connectors used while speaking in IELTS:
  • Do you eat vegetables?
Yes. I love green vegetables like peas and lady-finger.
  • Do you like chilling out with your friends?
Yes, I do. It is pleasurable to go out with your friends, especially at weekends. Also, we often go to new places which I enjoy.

Dr.Roma

Content writer