Should you correct your mistakes in IELTS speaking?
During the IELTS Speaking test it is possible that you might make mistakes with vocabulary or grammar. In such cases, many people ask whether they should correct that mistake or keep talking.
Answers
See the tips below to learn the right way to approach the IELTS speaking test. Understanding more about this test and how the marking works is essential if you wish to get a higher band score.
You should definitely ignore these errors. You won’t get extra points for correcting your mistake. You will only show the examiner that you struggle with fluency and need to keep stopping to correct your English. This shows a weakness of English. It is best to keep talking and get a strong score on fluency.
I am concerned that people seem to think you get a better score if you correct a grammar error. This is not true. IELTS marking does not work that way at all.
If you have made a mistake in the meaning of what you have said, then it is fine to correct yourself. Meaning is not marked in IELTS Speaking and if you correct the meaning in the right way (without causing much fluency disruption), you will be fine.
But you should not repeat word for word what you have just said – you need to re-phrase and continue to show flexibility in English. Below are examples:
Example Answer 1: I really think that people should force their children to do homework because it puts too much pressure on them. Sorry, I mean “I really think that people should not force their children to do homework because it puts too much pressure on them”.
Example Answer 2: I really think that people should force their children to do homework because it puts too much pressure on them. Sorry, I mean “no one should force children because the pressure would build and could cause mental health problems for the child ….”
As you can see above, Example 2 shows a more natural use of English. You are correcting meaning (which doesn’t affect your score) and then immediately continuing with more information rather than just repeating an entire sentence which stops fluency and will lower your fluency score.
It is best to avoid using words that are not English in an English language test. You are being marked on your ability to communicate in English and you should remember that at all times.
However, sometimes words from your own language sometime pop into the answer without you thinking. Particularly when you are referring to something that is unique to your own language such as sari, guzheng or bibimbap. In such cases, it is best to immediately explain the meaning of the word (paraphrase it in English) in a natural way. Below are examples of how you can do that.
Question: Do people ever wear traditional clothes in your country?
Answer: Yes, they do. Many women in India still enjoy wearing a sari, particularly at weddings. A sari is a long piece of fabric, often silk, which is wrapped around the body and then draped over the shoulder. It’s very flattering to wear.
Question: Did you ever play a musical instrument as a child?
Answer: Yes, I did. When I was young, I had lessons on the guzheng which is a large stringed instrument made of wood. The sound it produces is rather mystical and reminds me of misty mountains. I stopped playing when I left school.
Question: What is your favourite food?
Answer: Without doubt, bibimbap. It’s a rice dish with a variety of vegetables, such as carrot, cabbage, courgette and many more, served in a hot stone bowl with chilli paste. It’s a really popular food here in South Korea.
As you can see from the example answer above. The paraphrased explanation of the word adds really high band score vocabulary to your answer. Also when you use “x, which is …”, you are also adding a clause and that will help your grammar score. So, never miss the opportunity to immediately explain any word you accidentally say in your own language. Although the rule really ought to be to avoid doing so in the first place.
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