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IELTS Speaking - Fluency and Coherence

IELTS
Study
Lectures for Speaking
Fluency and Coherence

IELTS Speaking — Fluency and Coherence

  • Speaking
  • Fluency and Coherence

What Are Fluency and Coherence?

  • Fluency

    The ability to speak with normal levels of continuity, rate, and effort.

  • Coherence

    The ability to link ideas and language together to form coherent, connected speech.

(Source: https://www.ielts.org/)

Fluency and Coherence Criteria by Band (5~9)

Band
Fluency and Coherence
9
- Speaks fluently with only rare repetition or self-correction; any hesitation is content-related rather than to find words or grammar - Speaks coherently with fully appropriate cohesive features - Develops topics fully and appropriately
8
- Speaks fluently with only occasional repetition or self-correction; hesitation is usually content-related and only rarely to search for language - Develops topics coherently and appropriately
7
- Speaks at length without noticeable effort or loss of coherence - May demonstrate language-related hesitation at times, or some repetition and/or self-correction - Uses a range of connectives and discourse markers with some flexibility
6
- Is willing to speak at length, though may lose coherence at times due to occasional repetition, self-correction or hesitation - Uses a range of connectives and discourse markers but not always appropriately
5
- Usually maintains flow of speech but uses repetition, self-correction and/or slow speech to keep going - May over-use certain connectives and discourse markers - Produces simple speech fluently, but more complex communication causes fluency problems

Key Concept 1 Fluency: Repetition

  1. Definition of Repetition

    • Saying the same word or phrase two or more times in a row
    • Example: "I like, like, ... I like to ... I like to visit ..."

  2. What Matters in the Speaking Criteria Is the "Reason"

    • ✅ Repetition for emphasis is acceptable
    • ❌ Repetition that arises from difficulty forming language is a problem
    • ❌ Repetition that causes a loss of coherence is a problem

  3. How to Improve

    Record your own speech to identify and reduce unnecessary repetition

Key Concept 2 Fluency: Self-Correction

  1. Definition of Self-Correction

    • Restating something just said in order to fix a mistake
    • Example: "I go to my big father's house. Uh, I go to my uncle's house."

  2. Acceptable Range of Self-Correction

    • Some self-correction is acceptable
    • Band 9 standard: "Speaks fluently with only rare self-correction."

  3. When Self-Correction Becomes a Problem

    When it causes a loss of coherence (a loss of cohesion caused by self-correction makes it difficult to score above Band 6)

Key Concept 3 Fluency: Hesitations

  1. Definition of Hesitations

    • Short pauses before or during speech
    • May take the form of drawn-out words such as "Sooooo," or "Weeell"
    • Used to buy time or while thinking

  2. When Hesitation Becomes a Problem

    • When it causes a loss of coherence (the fewer hesitations, the better)

Key Concept 4 Fluency: "Speaks at Length"

  1. The Meaning of "Speaks at Length"

    • Producing long, connected answers like a native speaker

  2. Differences by Band

    • Band 7: "Speaks at length without noticeable effort or loss of coherence"
    • Band 6: "Speaks at length though may lose coherence at times"

Key Concept 5 Coherence: "Develops Topics"

  1. The meanings of the three key adverbs used in the band descriptors:

    • fully: Including details and reasons
    • appropriately: With logically related subtopics
    • coherently: With clear relationships between ideas

Key Concept 6 Coherence: "Range of Connectives"

Examples of connectives organized by purpose:

Purpose
Examples of Connectives
To add information
"and", "Another reason is ...", "Also ..."
To order information
"To begin with ...", "Later", "Finally ..."
To express opinions
"Frankly ...", "As a matter of fact ...", "To be honest ..."
To show cause and effect
"so", "As a result ...", "then"
To generalize
"In most cases ...", "Usually ..."
To compare
"More than ...", "as (adjective) as ...", "best", "worst"

Key Concept 7 Coherence: "Discourse Markers"

  1. Definition of Discourse Markers

    • Words used only in spoken or simple written communication
    • Examples: "I mean ...", "Look ...", "Basically ...", "You know?"

  2. Caution

    • To score Band 5 or higher, do not overuse discourse markers

Tips for Improving Fluency and Coherence

  • Tips for Improving Fluency

    • Practice strategy:
      • Record your own speech
      • Identify repetitions and self-corrections
      • Practice speaking without repetitions or self-corrections
    • Slow down and focus on speaking naturally
    • Learn to embrace silence
    • Imitate native speakers

  • Tips for Improving Coherence

    • Practice brainstorming for speaking at length
    • Practice organizing your answers
    • Practice Part 2 of the Speaking test