Fluency and Coherence
📌 1. 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/)
📌 2. Fluency and Coherence Criteria by Band (5~9)
Band 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
Band 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
Band 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
Band 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
Band 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
📌 3. Key Concept 1 — Fluency: Repetition
▸ 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 ..."
▸ 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
▸ How to Improve
• Record your own speech to identify and reduce unnecessary repetition
📌 4. Key Concept 2 — Fluency: Self-Correction
▸ 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."
▸ Acceptable Range of Self-Correction
• Some self-correction is acceptable
• Band 9 standard: "Speaks fluently with only rare self-correction."
▸ 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)
📌 5. Key Concept 3 — Fluency: Hesitations
▸ 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
▸ When Hesitation Becomes a Problem
• When it causes a loss of coherence (the fewer hesitations, the better)
📌 6. Key Concept 4 — Fluency: "Speaks at Length"
▸ The Meaning of "Speaks at Length"
• Producing long, connected answers like a native speaker
▸ 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"
📌 7. Key Concept 5 — Coherence: "Develops Topics"
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
📌 8. Key Concept 6 — Coherence: "Range of Connectives"
Examples of connectives organized by purpose:
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"
📌 9. Key Concept 7 — Coherence: "Discourse Markers"
▸ Definition of Discourse Markers
• Words used only in spoken or simple written communication
• Examples: "I mean ...", "Look ...", "Basically ...", "You know?"
▸ Caution
• To score Band 5 or higher, do not overuse discourse markers
📌 10. Tips for Improving Fluency and Coherence
▸ Tips for Improving Fluency
◆ 1. Practice strategy:
→ Record your own speech
→ Identify repetitions and self-corrections
→ Practice speaking without repetitions or self-corrections
◆ 2. Slow down and focus on speaking naturally
◆ 3. Learn to embrace silence
◆ 4. Imitate native speakers
▸ Tips for Improving Coherence
◆ 1. Practice brainstorming for speaking at length
◆ 2. Practice organizing your answers
◆ 3. Practice Part 2 of the Speaking test