Can you improve your IELTS speaking score by yourself?
Many students believe they need regular lessons to achieve Band 7 or higher in IELTS Speaking.
While feedback from a teacher can help, many aspects of the test can be improved independently, including:
- fluency
- pronunciation
- vocabulary
- confidence
The key is having a structured practice routine and speaking regularly rather than passively consuming IELTS content.
This guide explains the most effective ways to practise IELTS Speaking at home.
Strategy 1: Speak every day
- Record yourself
- Talk to yourself
- Keep an audio diary
- Read aloud
- Sing along to song
- Start conversations
If I could recommend just one way to improve your IELTS Speaking at home, it would be this: record yourself and listen back to the recording.
Recording yourself forces you to practise producing language, just as you will need to do in the real IELTS Speaking test.
Try this for 30 days and you’ll probably notice improvements in both your fluency and confidence.
Recording yourself helps you:
- get used to speaking for up to two minutes without stopping
- build confidence answering unfamiliar questions
- identify hesitation, repetition and pronunciation problems
- notice grammar mistakes that you don’t realise you’re making
- develop a wider active vocabulary
- prepare for the format of the real IELTS Speaking test
The most important step is not the recording itself—it’s listening back and analysing your performance.
When reviewing a recording, ask yourself:
- Did I hesitate too much?
- Did I repeat the same words or ideas?
- Did I fully answer the question?
- Did I use a range of vocabulary?
- Did I make any grammar mistakes?
- Were there any words that I struggled to pronounce?
Many students are surprised by what they discover when they hear themselves for the first time.
See also my IELTS Speaking Complete Guide to Parts 1, 2 and 3.
How to record yourself
- Find some recent Task 2 questions online.
- Use an App for recording on your phone.
- Listen to your recording and write down one good collocation/ expression/ idiom you used and one area that you need to work on.
- Check any words that you wanted to use but couldn’t remember – this will help build your active vocabulary
- Ask someone to listen and give you feedback if you can.
What to listen for
It’s not easy to listen for your own mistakes but here are a few things that are easy to spot and improve:
- Hesitation – how can you fill the gaps when you’re thinking? (Use fillers like ‘well’ ‘you know’ ‘anyway!’ ‘so’…)
- Grammar – check Past Tenses, 3rd person ‘s’, plural ‘s’
- Contractions – using these will make you sound more natural and fluent e.g. ‘I’m’ rather than ‘I am’
- Vocabulary – could you choose more interesting adjectives e.g. ‘freezing’ rather than ‘cold’?
- Linking words – are you just using ‘but’ and ‘so’? Could you try ‘even though’ or ‘Anyway…’?
- Pronunciation – are there any sounds you have difficulty with? (Use the caption generator on the app to see if there are any sounds that it didn’t pick up)
- Speed – many students speak fast to increase their fluency score. It is much better to slow down and pause at the end of each sentence.
- Intonation – are you emphasising important words, and using ‘chunks’ of language?
- Repetition – how can you develop your story without going back over the same information?
- Storytelling – are you just describing things, or are you setting up a story to keep the listener’s attention?
- Formal vs informal – are you using formal words when an informal expression or phrasal verbs would be better?
These are all the features of Speaking that I examine when I give feedback to my students.
Strategy 2: Improve your pronunciation through imitation
Pronunciation often improves faster when you actively copy spoken English.
The following activities can help you develop clearer pronunciation, more natural rhythm and greater confidence when speaking.
1. Read aloud
Reading short passages aloud helps you become more comfortable producing English sounds and speaking in complete sentences.
Choose a short article, transcript or IELTS sample answer and read it slowly and clearly. Don’t focus on speed. Focus on:
- clear pronunciation
- sentence stress
- pausing naturally
- speaking confidently
You can also listen to a recording first and then try to imitate the speaker’s rhythm and stress patterns.
2. Use shadowing and mimicking
One of the fastest ways to improve pronunciation is through shadowing (sometimes called mimicking).
Choose a speaker whose accent you like from a podcast, TED Talk, YouTube video or news report.
- Listen to a short sentence.
- Pause the recording.
- Repeat it aloud.
- Copy the speaker as closely as possible.
Try to imitate:
- pronunciation
- rhythm
- sentence stress
- intonation
- connected speech
Even five to ten minutes a day can help you sound more natural and fluent.
3. Sing along to songs
Although this isn’t specifically IELTS practice, singing can help you develop a better sense of English rhythm and stress patterns.
When you sing along to English songs, you naturally practise:
- linking sounds
- word stress
- sentence stress
- connected speech
Choose songs that are easy to understand and focus on copying the timing and pronunciation of the singer. Here is my list of the best songs to help you learn English.
4. Learn how English pronunciation works
Many pronunciation problems occur because learners focus only on individual words.
To improve your pronunciation score, it’s useful to learn about:
- word stress
- sentence stress
- intonation
- weak forms (schwa)
- connected speech
- common pronunciation problems in your first language
Understanding these features will help both your Speaking and Listening scores because you’ll become more aware of how English changes in natural conversation.
Quick Tip
28-day Pronunciation Repair Kit
Fix the single words that are keeping you at a low score in your Speaking Test.
Strategy 3: Build stronger language for IELTS Speaking
Many students spend hours memorising vocabulary lists but struggle to use new words naturally during the test.
The key to improving your IELTS Speaking score is not learning more words—it’s learning how to use language automatically and confidently when answering questions.
Focus on building language that you can actually use in conversation rather than collecting long lists of advanced vocabulary.
1. Learn chunks of language
One of the fastest ways to sound more fluent is to learn language in chunks rather than as individual words.
A chunk might be:
- a collocation (heavy traffic, close friend)
- a fixed expression (as a matter of fact)
- a semi-fixed phrase (One of the main reasons is…)
Native speakers don’t create every sentence word by word. Many common phrases are already stored in their memory as complete units.
Learning chunks helps you:
- speak more fluently
- hesitate less often
- sound more natural
- use vocabulary more accurately
When you learn a new expression, try to create three personal examples using it immediately.
2. Personalise your grammar practice
Grammar becomes much easier to remember when it relates to your own life.
Instead of completing grammar exercises mechanically, adapt example sentences so that they are true for you.
For example:
- I’ve never been to ________, but my brother has.
- I wish I’d never __________.
- This time next year I’ll be __________.
- I need to get my __________ fixed.
Then say the sentence aloud several times.
This approach helps you practise grammar, vocabulary and speaking at the same time.
3. Build active vocabulary
Many learners recognise hundreds of words when reading or listening but cannot recall them when speaking.
To move vocabulary from your passive vocabulary to your active vocabulary:
- Learn a new word or phrase.
- Create a personal example.
- Say it aloud.
- Use it again in a different answer later in the week.
The more often you actively use new language, the more likely you are to remember it during the IELTS test.
4. Focus on communication
You do not need to use rare or highly academic words to achieve a good Speaking score.
Examiners are looking for language that is:
- accurate
- natural
- flexible
- appropriate for the topic
A simple word used correctly is usually better than an advanced word used incorrectly.
Aim to expand your vocabulary gradually while continuing to speak naturally and confidently.
Quick Tip
After each speaking practice session, write down:
- one useful expression you used successfully
- one word you wanted to use but couldn’t remember
This is one of the easiest ways to expand your active vocabulary over time.
Strategy 4: Create an English environment
One of the biggest challenges for IELTS students is that English only exists during study sessions.
If you only use English for a few hours a week, progress can be slow. However, if English becomes part of your daily routine, you’ll naturally build vocabulary, improve listening skills and feel more comfortable speaking.
The goal is to create as many opportunities as possible to think, listen and communicate in English throughout the day.
1. Immerse yourself in English
Immersion doesn’t mean moving to an English-speaking country. It simply means increasing the amount of English that surrounds you.
Look for ways to make English part of your everyday life:
- change your phone and computer settings to English
- use English voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa
- watch YouTube videos in English
- listen to English podcasts while travelling or exercising
- read news articles, blogs or social media posts in English
The more exposure you have to natural English, the easier it becomes to recognise useful vocabulary, collocations and common speaking patterns.
2. Think in English
Many learners translate everything from their first language before speaking.
This habit can slow down your responses and make speaking feel more difficult than it needs to be.
Try thinking in English during everyday situations:
- describe what you can see around you
- plan your day in English
- comment on things you are doing
- explain your opinions to yourself
This helps train your brain to access English more quickly and naturally.
3. Start conversations whenever possible
If you live in an English-speaking environment, look for opportunities to interact with people.
You don’t need long conversations. Even short exchanges can help build confidence.
For example:
- ask questions in shops
- join guided tours
- visit libraries or community events
- speak to colleagues or classmates in English
- participate in online discussion groups
The aim is to become comfortable responding spontaneously rather than always preparing answers in advance.
4. Keep an audio diary
An audio diary combines several speaking strategies at once.
Spend two or three minutes each day talking about:
- what happened today
- something interesting you learned
- a challenge you faced
- your plans for tomorrow
Over time, you’ll notice that speaking becomes easier because you’re regularly organising ideas and expressing them aloud.
Quick Tip
Don’t try to create a perfect English environment overnight. Choose one or two changes and make them habits first. Consistency is far more important than intensity.
More Speaking and Pronunciation tips
FREE TIPS
- IELTS Speaking Test Tips and Tricks
- IELTS Speaking Part 1: How to give longer answers
- Speaking Part 2 – The Long Turn
- Speaking Part 3 – Discussion with the examiner
- How to improve your IELTS Speaking Score at home without a teacher
- How to practice IELTS Speaking at home: AI, free websites and apps
- Connected Speech for the Listening Test
Resource Library
- How to talk about ART and THE ARTS
- How to talk about CITIES
- How to talk about CLOTHES
- How to talk about CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
- How to talk about CULTURE AND CIVILISATION
- How to talk about FESTIVALS and CELEBRATIONS
- How to talk about FOOD
- How to talk about GENDER
- How to talk about HOUSEWORK
- How to talk about INVENTIONS
- How to talk about JOBS
- How to talk about LANGUAGES
- How to talk about LOVE, relationships and friendships
- How to talk about MONEY
- How to talk about SPORT
- How to talk about TIME AND AGEING
- How to talk about WATER
- How to avoid repetition in the 2-minute long-turn
- 5 quick ways to improve your pronunciation score
- 101 Most Mispronounced Words in IELTS
Courses
- The Pronunciation Repair Kit will help you identify and fix the pronunciation areas that are keeping you stuck at the same level.
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How to improve your fluency? A lot of research has been carried out on this topic, so there’s no quick and easy answer.
Here’s a link to some of the research “Pauline Foster’s essential bookshelf: Oral fluency in a second language”.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/language-teaching/article/pauline-fosters-essential-bookshelf-oral-fluency-in-a-second-language/3E815FF1396C26887151DEFA55D40B86
This article summarises 12 books on the topic and it shows how difficult it is to come up with a quick and easy answer to “How can I improve my fluency?”.
For example, she refers to Segalowitz, N. (2016):
“Importantly, Segalowitz argues that L2 fluency is determined by a host of factors that are by nature socio-pragmatic, psychological, and motivational as much as cognitive and linguistic, all interacting in dynamic, complex ways.”
Foster continues:
“I very much like the emphasis Segalowitz places on speaking as a social act, informed and constrained by socio-pragmatic ‘rules’ of use. Achieving high-level L2 fluency is to reach the point of being able simultaneously to plan, assemble, and articulate streams of utterances that are structurally, lexically, and communicatively competent. No wonder so many learners, like me, fall short.”
Foster concludes:
“I hope I have succeeded in getting across to readers the idea that L2 fluency is not just about learners being ‘good’ or being ‘smooth’, it’s also about them being themselves – that is, the selves they can portray when they speak in their L1s. This instinct is so strong that it can lead to some L2 learners (such as I was) to choose not to say much because they can’t be themselves.”
Good afternoon Fiona, just one quick question – among all three parts of the IELTS speaking test, which part do you find your students most often to struggle with? For me it’s the second part, I sometimes run out of ideas too quickly. I’ve seen somewhere online that by design the part 3 is the most difficult one, but personally I find part 3 is a bit easier than part 2, I kinda prefer interactive conversations. Is this normal?
Hi Adam
Speaking Part 3 is designed to be more challenging than Speaking Part 2. Part 2 mainly assesses your ability to describe and explain. It’s quite easy to train students to do well at Part 2.
Part 3 assesses a much wider range of language, such as speculating, comparing, predicting, and justifying your opinions.
You have to
– discuss the topic in more depth and detail.
– answer longer and more abstract questions
– discuss opinions and evaluate arguments on topics that might be far removed from your life experience
– use more complex language, critical thinking skills, and flexibility in your responses
– express your ideas clearly and coherently, while also responding appropriately to the examiner’s questions
In Part 3, the examiner can challenge your responses, so your English needs to be strong enough to be flexible and adaptable.
I think this makes it more difficult for students to prepare for Part 3 – it will quickly reveal a candidate’s true ability.
I hope that helps,
Best wishes
Fiona