Medliant USRN Academic IELTS Preparation: Speaking Section

The Academic IELTS is the leading English proficiency exam for USRN applicants looking to immigrate and work in the USA. This blog post will help you prepare for the speaking section of the Academic IELTS and get the required band score that you need to immigrate to the USA (6.5 bands overall and 7 bands in speaking)!

Speaking is an important part of the IELTS exam, and an essential skillset to have as a USRN when communicating with patients, clients, and members of the interdisciplinary team. This will take preparation and practice, but with the right amount of effort you will do great. Here are five tips to help you prepare for the speaking section of the Academic IELTS exam:

1. Familiarize yourself with the IELTS writing format: The speaking section of Academic IELTS consists of three parts for a total of 11-14 minutes. The exam will be completed in a quiet room and you will be encouraged to continue speaking, The examiner will attempt to make you feel relaxed so that you can be confident and succeed. Familiarizing yourself with the format of the test will help you understand what to expect and prepare accordingly.

• In Part 1, the examiner will ask you some general questions about yourself (name, where you live, etc.), your family, your work/studies, hobbies, etc. If your answers are too short, you may be prompted to continue to speak by being asked “why” or “why not.” (4-5 minutes)

• In Part 2, you will be given a topic on a card to talk about. You will be assessed on your ability to speak at length on the chosen topic, the use of appropriate language and how you organize your ideas in a logical way. You will be able to incorporate your own experience on the chosen topic if needed. (1 minute for preparation to make notes; 2 minutes to speak)

• In Part 3, the examiner will ask you some follow-up questions related to the topic in Part 2. You will be assessed on your ability to express and justify your opinions, and to analyze, discuss and speculate on the chosen topic in more detail. (4-5 minutes)

2. Practice speaking: The best way to improve your speaking skills is to practice speaking in English regularly. You can practice with a friend, coworker, family member, or even by yourself. Try to speak about a variety of topics and pay attention to your pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. There are many different ways you can also improve your speaking:

• Listen to English audio and watch English videos:

  • Listening to English audio and watching English videos can help you improve your listening skills and also expose you to different accents and speaking styles. This can be beneficial when you are speaking to someone from a different country or region.

• Learn some useful phrases and expressions:

  • Learning some useful phrases and expressions can help you communicate more effectively in the speaking test. For example, you can learn how to express your opinion, how to give examples, how to ask for clarification, etc.

• Read and write in English:

  • Reading and writing in English can help you improve your vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. This can be beneficial when you are speaking in English as well, as you will have a better understanding of how to express yourself clearly.

3. Time yourself during practice tests: Timing yourself during practice tests can help you get used to the time constraints of the speaking section. You will have 11-14 minutes to complete the speaking section, so practicing speaking within this time frame can help you manage your time effectively during the actual test.

4. Get feedback from others: When speaking to others, have them give you feedback on your speaking skills, identify areas you need to work on, and provide tips and strategies to help you improve.

5. Stay calm and confident: It is important to stay calm and confident during the speaking test. Take deep breaths and try to relax before the test. Remember, the examiner is not there to judge you, but to assess your English proficiency. So, speak clearly and confidently and do your best.

By following these five tips, you can be sure to ace the speaking section of the Academic IELTS and move closer to living your America Dream as a Medliant USRN!

You can practice the Academic IELTS Speaking Section by utilizing the resources provided here Academic IELTS Speaking Section Practice.

As part of Medliant’s NCLEX Sponsorship Program, which pays for the NCLEX review and exam upfront for qualified candidates, Medliant will also reimburse the cost of the Academic IELTS when you present proof of passing!

Source: Academic IELTS. www.ielts.org/en-us. Retrieved April 2023.