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IELTS Speaking Lesson about Handicrafts

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In IELTS Speaking, Handicrafts is a topic that many students find challenging.

It’s quite a specialized topic, with specific vocabulary, and it is certainly not a topic you talk about every day!
 
But don’t panic, I’ve got you covered. 
 
In this lesson we will look at the correct vocabulary you need to use, as well as lots of natural expressions and some great ideas, so you can talk confidently on this IELTS speaking topic of Handicrafts. 

Table of Contents

IELTS Speaking vocabulary: Handicrafts

In this lesson, you will learn some vocabulary and useful expressions to talk about handicrafts, including why they might be good for children and also why they can be important for local communities.

Handicraft (n.) = a thing used for decoration that is made by hand

Do you think we should say ‘make’ or ‘do’ with handicrafts?

I _______ handicrafts

The answer is actually both! 

  • If we are talking about handicrafts as a thing, then we use make.
  • If we are talking about handicrafts as an activity, then we use do.

Handicrafts (Handcrafts) 

1) hand-crafted items (things)

2) activities 

Let’s make some handicrafts

Let’s do some handicrafts

Arts and crafts  

1) Hand-crafted items

2) Activities

Let’s do some arts and crafts

I like doing arts and crafts

I like doing craftwork 

There are many different kinds of crafts or handicrafts. When we are talking about activities, we have the following:

  • weaving
  • carving
  • pottery
  • embroidery
  • knitting

If we are talking about things, then we have the following, and many more,

  • vases
  • baskets
  • candles
  • bags
  • wallets
  • jewelry 

To find out more about the different kinds of handicrafts and learn lots more relevant vocabulary, check out this web page,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handicraft

Pottery IELTS topic

Word Families 

When building your vocabulary, it is really useful to learn word families, that is the different forms of a word (such as noun, adverb, verb, adjective and so on).

A craft (n.) = an activity, a skill

Writing a book is a craft.

To craft (v.) = to make skilfully 

I’ve crafted this lovely candle

Crafty (adj.) = clever and cunning, sly

He is so crafty, he didn’t tell anyone that he had won the lottery, so they wouldn’t ask him for money. 

Craftsmanship (n.) = skill, ability 

I admire her craftsmanship 

Places to buy handicrafts

  • Flea markets
  • Street markets 

There are many nouns used for cheap handicrafts, including, 

  • Bric a brac (n.) Uncountable
  • Trinkets (inf.)
  • Knick knacks (inf.)

Whilst the above nouns are informal and quite colloquial, you can still use them for IELTS Speaking. The following are quite neutral and can also be used in IELTS Speaking. 

  • Ornaments (n.)
  • Adornments (n.)

Skills for making handicrafts 

The following adjectives are mean skillful with your hands

  • Dexterous (adj.)
  • Nimble-fingered (adj.)
  • Handy (adj.)

The following are used to describe people who can use their imagination to make things or have some talent in making handicrafts  

  • Creative 
  • Innovative  
  • Artistic 
  • I’ve got an artistic bent 

Whilst handicrafts are handmade goods, the opposite would be mass produced goods or machine made goods.

IELTS Speaking questions

This is the kind of question you might be asked in IELTS Speaking Part 3, together with some useful phrases for your answer.

Should we encourage children to make handicrafts? 

  • Making handicrafts is a good activity because it can unleash their creative mind / artistic talent
  • They can develop their artistic flair / bent 
  • As far as I can see, it’s a great way to earn a living 
  • Doing handicrafts can develop their motor skills 
  • It’ll make them more dexterous 
  • It helps keep our traditions intact 
  • It ramps up / builds up their creativity 
  • It’s a rewarding activity in itself
Child art ielts speaking

IELTS listening task

Watch the video below and answer this question.

Which handicrafts are popular in the speaker’s country? Why?

Click arrow to open/close answers

Which handicrafts are popular in the speaker’s country? Why?

Jewellery

They can be easily bought and sold online 

They can have a personal touch 

Now, watch the video again and fill in the gaps below with one word.

I think handmade [1] ___________ is one of the trending handicrafts in the UK. 

I think the ease with which you can buy and sell it online has also [2] ___________ its popularity. 

You can get all sorts from intricate designs to minimalist designs and with a wide variety of materials. 

I suppose the fact that many pieces of jewelry have a personal touch also adds to their [3] ___________

I recently bought my Julie a bracelet at a flea market, you know on one of those bric-a-brac [4] ___________ that sells all kinds of trinkets, and she loved it. 

She said it was unique and beautifully [5] ___________. 

I think handicrafts make a lovely gift.

Click arrow to open/close answers

  1. Fill in the gaps:

I think handmade [1] JEWELRY is one of the trending handicrafts in the UK. 

I think the ease with which you can buy and sell it online has also [2] BOOSTED its popularity. 

You can get all sorts from intricate designs to minimalist designs and with a wide variety of materials. 

I suppose the fact that many pieces of jewelry have a personal touch also adds to their [3] APPEAL

I recently bought my Julie a bracelet at a flea market, you know on one of those bric-a-brac [4] STALLS that sells all kinds of trinkets, and she loved it. 

She said it was unique and beautifully [5] CRAFTED. 

I think handicrafts make a lovely gift. 

IELTS Speaking expressions: Arts and crafts

carving ielts speaking

Weaving, it’s a lot harder than it looks 

To while away the hours = to spend a long time doing something you like

I can while away the hours knitting or doing crochet 

Fiddly = complicated or detailed and awkward to do or use.

It’s quite a fiddly thing to do 

Sewing is fiddly and so is embroidery 

You need patience and perseverance 

You need a steady hand 

To have a personal touch =to be customised for you, such as having your name on the item

Many handicrafts have a personal touch

They help preserve traditions and local heritage

More Free Lessons​

If you liked this lesson, leave a comment below!

There are more lessons you can follow in the links below too.

SOCIALISING in IELTS Speaking. Vocabulary and collocations to talk about socialising.

ART in IELTS Speaking. How to describe different kinds of art, feelings about art, exhibitions, and art in education  

RECYCLING in IELTS Speaking Useful collocations and vocabulary to help you discuss about recycling.

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