The Secret to Scoring Higher in IELTS Speaking: Focus on Fluency, Not Big Words

Most IELTS students think scoring high in the Speaking test comes down to using “fancy” vocabulary or memorizing answers. But examiners aren’t impressed by rehearsed phrases. In fact, research from Cambridge English examiners shows that fluency, coherence, and confidence are often the deciding factors between a Band 6 and a Band 7+.

So what’s the real secret? Let’s dive in.

1. Fluency Matters More Than “Big Words”

IELTS examiners look for natural, smooth communication. A candidate who speaks without long pauses, fillers, or hesitation often scores higher than someone who uses rare words but sounds robotic. For example, saying:

• “I think education is really important because it opens up opportunities”

will score better than:

• “Education is of paramount significance in catalyzing upward mobility” (if spoken with hesitation).

The second sentence uses advanced words, but examiners value clarity over complexity.

2. Confidence is Measured, Not Just Felt

Here’s something many test-takers don’t realize: confidence shows up in your intonation, pacing, and willingness to expand ideas. Studies on speech perception reveal that listeners rate speakers as more competent when they:

• Maintain steady eye contact.

• Use a rising-falling intonation instead of a flat tone.

• Extend answers with personal examples.

This doesn’t mean you have to be fearless. It means you need strategies that make you sound confident, even if you’re nervous.

3. Chunking: The Fluency Shortcut

One novel but under-discussed technique is chunking. Instead of focusing on each individual word, group words into small “chunks” of meaning. For example:

• ❌ Word-by-word: “I… think… that… traveling… abroad… is… very… helpful…”

• ✅ Chunked: “I think that traveling abroad | is very helpful | because it gives you new experiences.”

Practicing in chunks reduces hesitation and makes you sound natural — a skill examiners notice immediately.

4. The Balance of Accuracy and Flow

Research shows that students aiming for Band 7+ sometimes over-correct themselves mid-sentence, which breaks fluency. Instead of backtracking, push forward. Examiners are trained to overlook small grammar slips if the overall message is clear and fluent. Accuracy is important, but fluency carries more weight.

5. Training With Real Feedback

Self-study can only take you so far. To develop real fluency and confidence, you need targeted feedback. Examiners don’t care if you’ve memorized 100 “Band 9” phrases — they care about whether you can adapt your English naturally in real time. That’s exactly what we train at YESP: personalized lessons that build not just vocabulary, but the confidence and fluency to use it effectively.