CELPIP - Tips for Speaking

The speaking component has a time limit of 15-20 minutes and consists of eight assignments in total. So let us now look at how you can ace the speaking component of CELPIP.

1. Advising others

You will be requested to give guidance to someone, as the name implies. You’ll have 30 seconds to think about your response and 90 seconds to record it. After that, you have 60 seconds for each of the further assignments. 

This section’s questions might look something like this*: Your friend hasn’t been to school in over a month and hasn’t attended any classes. He may be suspended if this continues. If your friend wishes to stay in school, give him advice on what he should and should not do.

*Please note that this is a rough estimate of the types of questions you might be asked. 

Remember, the trick is to take this as a challenge rather than a test. Act and react in the same way you would in real life. Accept the friend’s greetings and sympathize with them. Give your idea, but keep it brief. The most important thing to remember here is to explain why you gave each piece of advice. Explain why you believe it will work. Build on it, and tell your friend how following your advice will benefit him or her. Finish by expressing your gratitude that they will reflect on the dialogue and do the right thing. Wish them success and encourage them to contact you if they have any questions. Most importantly, keep in mind that you will be graded on how you frame and structure your advice, not on the advice itself, even if the subject is unfamiliar.

2. Discussing a Personal Experience

Because you are supposed to speak about a personal experience, this section of the speaking examination should come naturally to you. However, to do well in this area, you’ll need to use your storytelling skills. The key to every successful story is to keep the reader or listener engaged. For example, if you say, “I went to the movie theatre to see a movie,” it is not intriguing enough. However, you will be adding more information and depth to the event if you say, “I went to the Scotia bank theatre with my best buddy, Mark, to watch the current Avengers movie.”

3. Putting a Scene Into Words

Give a detailed description of the scene. Assume you’re conversing with someone who isn’t in the same room as you and can’t see what you’re seeing. You will be given a photograph or a drawing and asked to discuss it. It is your responsibility to accurately describe what you see. It could be a picture of a crowded classroom or a scene from a market. It’s great to provide information such as what the individuals in the snapshot are doing, what the objects are and where they’re located, in which direction are people heading, and other minor details. Every exercise is designed to put your grammar and vocabulary skills to the test.

4. Making Predictions 

You’ll be shown a visual (photo or drawing) and asked to predict what might happen next in this section. Because it’s a forecast, it won’t be definitive, so use phrases and words like: It’s “probable” that such and such will happen; or “I feel” that based on the expressions on these people’s faces; or “I think” that based on the expressions on their faces. Make sure you explain why you made your predictions. For example, people are waiting for a taxi in a particular snapshot, perhaps at an airport. If you believe there is a chance of a physical altercation between a few persons, you should explain why: The man in the photo appears to be quite hostile, has a frown on his face, and appears to be about to punch the man in the shot.

5. Comparing and persuading 

This is more akin to debating: you choose one of two possibilities and persuade others to select the same. If you don’t specify a country (for example, Canada or Australia), the computer will decide for you. For example, assume you’re planning a vacation and have narrowed down your choices to two Airbnb properties. One appeals to you, while the other appeals to a friend. Your mission is to persuade your friend to choose the option you like, and you must accomplish it by presenting your case and providing logical reasons. The importance of intonation cannot be overstated. It would be best if you had fire and enthusiasm in your voice to persuade them.

6. Taking Care of a Difficult Situation

We’ve all encountered embarrassing situations in our lives and had to cope with them. A circumstance like this could be presented to you in this task: Your parents, who live in another nation, wish to come to Canada and stay with you for six months. However, your wife disagrees and says you’ll have to persuade your parents to cut their trip short and visit only for a few days. Choose one of the following: Either tell your parents about the circumstance and why they won’t be able to remain with you for that long. Alternatively, you can speak with your wife and explain why she should not object to your parents staying with you for as long as they want.

What would you do, and why would you do it?

7. Having an Opinion

As previously stated, you have 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to record your answers in this portion. This exercise puts your ability to articulate yourself clearly to the test. The examiner will not grade you on your natural point of view but on how you communicate it. Because there is no right or wrong answer, you don’t have to worry about whether or not the listener agrees with you. The inquiry will be neutral and will most likely avoid sensitive topics such as politics or religion. It may be as straightforward as asking, “At what age do you think young adults should leave their homes?”

Don’t forget to explain why you believe what you believe.

8. Defining an Out of the Ordinary Situation

This may be a difficult task. You might be shown a photograph of an unusual building or object and asked to describe it over the phone to a friend or family member. Assume you’re in a store looking for a water bottle in the shape of a rocket or an animal. When you take out your phone to snap a picture, you notice that the camera is broken. So now you have to describe it to your father, who is on the phone with you, in great detail and ask him whether you can buy it. 

 

It all comes down to how much time you spend studying for the exam in the end. First, practice speaking in front of a mirror or with family and friends to check how you sound. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so, record yourself and examine your pronunciation objectively. We all have a natural accent, and the goal here is to try to neutralize it so that the person listening can understand us. Remember, there’s no need to put on an American or any other accent; instead, strive to sound more neutral.

 

Finally, enrolling in a CELPIP preparation program is the most excellent method to obtain much-needed practice and acquire a handle on the test style and sorts of questions. You can always reach out to 8777IELTS to gain accurate training and guidance for the same.