What Are the Real Ways to Practice for the IELTS Speaking Test?
(No Fancy Tricks, Just What Works!)
When it comes to preparing for the IELTS Speaking test, many learners begin by looking for suggestions online. Some of the most common recommendations include joining a language exchange, volunteering in English-speaking environments, or advertising for practice partners. While these may work for a few students, they are often not practical or accessible to the majority, especially those who are already managing tight schedules, limited confidence, or a lack of exposure to fluent speakers.
At Focus Education, we believe effective speaking practice should be simple, realistic, and suited to the learner’s environment. Here are five tried-and-tested ways to build fluency and confidence in IELTS Speaking — methods that don’t rely on finding native speakers or making big lifestyle changes.
- Practice in front of a mirror using the 3-2-1 technique:
Mirror speaking is one of the most effective ways to build confidence in speaking English. This method involves standing in front of a mirror and delivering responses as though speaking directly to the examiner. To make this even more structured, learners can apply the 1-2-3 technique. First, they speak on a topic for one minute, then try increasing it to two minutes, and finally to three minutes — all while maintaining clarity and structure. This helps improve fluency, manage time pressure, and develop better self-control during long-turn questions like IELTS Speaking Part 2.
- Record responses and listen with a critical ear:
Another highly useful habit is recording your voice while answering IELTS questions. Learners can choose a set of questions and speak their responses into a mobile recorder. Listening to the playback allows them to notice errors in grammar, vocabulary, tone, or hesitation. Regular self-review builds awareness of common mistakes and helps learners track their improvement over time. Even a few minutes of recorded practice daily can lead to better performance during mock tests and the final exam.
- Use AI tools like ChatGPT with a focused approach:
AI tools can be helpful when used with intention. Learners can ask AI platforms to act as IELTS examiners and generate realistic questions. After answering out loud, they can type a version of what they said and ask the AI to provide feedback. This process helps improve sentence structure, vocabulary, and overall response quality. However, it is important to note that AI tools cannot offer feedback on pronunciation, voice tone, or hesitation. Therefore, while AI can support speaking practice, it cannot replace the role of a qualified human trainer.
- Practice with a small group of fellow learners
Students preparing for IELTS can benefit from forming small practice groups of two or three people. In each session, one person can take the role of the examiner, another as the candidate, and the third as the observer. By rotating roles and giving each other structured feedback, students learn how to respond to different question types and improve under real-time conditions. Even short sessions of 20 minutes, done regularly, can build fluency and test-day confidence.
- Practicing with a qualified trainer who understands your strengths and gaps:
One of the most effective ways to prepare for IELTS Speaking is to work with a trainer who can assess your current level and guide you accordingly. Unlike apps or websites, a trained professional can identify specific weaknesses — whether it’s your sentence structure, lack of examples, limited vocabulary, or hesitation. A good trainer not only gives feedback but also helps students build strategies, improve thinking speed, and gain the confidence to face unfamiliar questions. At Focus Education, trainer-led sessions ensure that speaking practice is structured, personalised, and aligned with the official IELTS marking criteria, helping students make noticeable improvement within a short period.
Fluency in IELTS Speaking doesn’t require expensive apps or hard-to-find language partners. What learners need most is regular, mindful practice and guidance that aligns with their current level.
At Focus Education, we provide structured speaking support through personalised feedback, strategy-based lessons, and mock interviews. For learners looking to improve with expert guidance, our team is ready to help them move closer to their target IELTS score with clarity and confidence.
