7 IELTS Fluency Problems

‘I know English very well but can’t speak properly’ Does this sound like you? Do you want to speak English fluently, but are stuck?

Well, one of the common issues of not being able to speak properly in English is fluency. Fluency is described as the ability to talk smoothly (rather than quickly) and coherently. Self-correction, pause, repetitions are all common symptoms of poor fluency.

It’s critical to understand the structure of the exam if you’re just getting started with your IELTS Speaking preparation.

The IELTS speaking exam consists of three sections, each of which takes around 4 to 5 minutes to complete. The exam will last for around 14 to 15 minutes in total.

The marking criteria of IELTS Speaking are equally important 

• Grammar 
• Lexical Resources
• Pronunciation
• Fluency and Coherence 

Fluency and Coherence are two important criteria on which your performance is marked. It focuses on how logically and clearly you communicate your thoughts and ideas. The most important thing to remember is that it assesses your ability to express your message correctly. Fluency and coherence are linked, but coherence measures how well and easily you communicate.

Here are 7 Common Fluency Problems that Require Immediate Attention.

1. In the speaking test, students usually try to repeat the memorised words and phrases. Memorised answers look mechanical, and examiners are trained to detect them. Moreover, if the interviewer notices you doing so, he or she might ask you more difficult questions or alter the question pattern. Also, some students have the habit of jumping to answering the questions even before the examiner finishes the question. As a result, they answer without understanding the question and end up losing marks.
2. Students also attempt to mimic native speakers’ accents and pronounce the words incorrectly. It’s the pronunciation that counts, not the accent. If you mispronounce a word, then you will definitely lose marks.
3. Students try to speak quickly in the exam and often lose coherence. Ideas, thoughts, and opinions are important factors that matter. When you present your ideas about a particular topic, then it’s absolutely necessary that description and supporting details should be expressed clearly, not quickly. 
4. One of the most common mistakes students make in the speaking exam is taking too long to answer the questions. Undoubtedly, some answers may require you to think, but remaining silent for 20 to 30 seconds will leave a negative impression. Therefore, do not remain silent in the exam. More importantly, if you are stuck on some specific topic, do not start babbling. Rather stick to the topic and keep the conversation natural.
5. Sometimes students deviate from the topics and do not talk about the things asked by the examiner. Some questions are taken personally. Try to avoid getting carried away and be conscious not to narrate your entire life history. Remember to incorporate only necessary information.
6. Another common blunder made by students is not structuring their responses to the questions. Many students become overconfident and fail to plan adequately for the question prompts. As a result, they tend to overlook some of the parts of the question. On the other hand, some students only concentrate on preparing answers to the given questions and do not focus on providing a proper organised response.
7. Many students have good vocabulary and grammar, but they never actually use it while speaking or writing. This creates a significant challenge in terms of fluency and pronunciation. Like any other talent, speaking requires practice, and it is almost difficult to achieve the highest band score without it. Only by speaking English with others will you be able to solve this issue. Additionally, you can join a group of English speakers who want to practise and develop their pronunciation and fluency and practise your English speaking skills.