Are you sometimes confused about or overwhelmed by IELTS Speaking vocabulary? It can be difficult to know what to learn and where to start.
In this ‘Ultimate Guide’, I show you what kind of vocabulary to learn, how to learn it, some memory tricks, and also how to make sure you can actually use the words and speak fluently in the IELTS Speaking Test.
Table of Contents
IELTS Speaking Vocabulary Topics
In order to enrich your IELTS Speaking vocabulary, you need to learn words and expressions on a wide range of topics.
Click the link below to see a list of such topics. Each one has a complete lesson with extensive vocabulary lists, including collocations, idioms and idiomatic expressions.
A list of the kind of common IELTS Speaking topics you may get.
How can I Improve my Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
As we can see in the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors, vocabulary is important in two ways;
1. The range of vocabulary
2. The accuracy of vocabulary
Also Vocabulary counts for 25% of the Speaking mark. I personally believe it’s the one area that is easier to improve in a short time. Whilst pronunciation and fluency take time to develop, we can increase our knowledge and use of vocabulary, if we study well and practice lots.
The best way to improve vocabulary for IELTS Speaking is,
- Study a wide range of topics
- Make notes of new words and phrases
- Always learn words in context
- Focus on collocations of new words
- Use different techniques to remember words
- Practice and activate new vocabulary
Which Words are Used in IELTS Speaking?
Different kinds of vocabulary are important for IELTS Speaking.
We can find out which ones are important very quickly by looking again at the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors
They talk about:
Collocations
These are words that commonly go together
For example,
black tea
spicy food
heavy rain
Idiomatic expressions
These are expressions where the meaning of the expression is different from the meaning of the individual words.
For example,
He kicked the bucket (= He died)
I am tickled pink (= I am very happy)
A wide range of vocabulary, enough to discuss a variety of topics, this will include
- synonyms (words with similar meanings – e.g. pretty and beautiful)
- antonyms (words with the opposite meaning – e.g. big and small)
- word families (words with the same root – e.g. economic (adj.), economy (n.), economise (v.)…)
Vocabulary for Familiar Topics.
These are ones you might talk about everyday, and may include, family, home, hobbies, work, everyday life, shopping…
Vocabulary for Unfamiliar Topics.
These are ones you don’t usually discuss everyday, and may include, Climate Change, economics, globalisation, law and similar topics or even more specialised topics such as photography, fishing, calligraphy, leadership…
Style
This is includes using spoken rather than written language, and natural conversational language rather than an academic language.
For example, you would say,
I get up at six
You wouldn’t say,
I arise from my slumber at six o’clock
Phrasal verbs
Finally, I would also add, it is worth spending time learning phrasal verbs, as these are extremely common in spoken English and will help you sound much more natural.
Phrasal verbs are basically verbs plus a preposition, for example,
To put off (= to postpone)
To take away (= to remove)
To cut down on (= to reduce)
IELTS Band 9 Vocabulary
Does Band 9 vocabulary exist?
Not really, and you should not try to use fancy vocabulary that you don’t know how to use; you will make mistakes, and this will bring your vocabulary score down.
It’s much better to learn vocabulary at your present level (e.g. Band 6) as well as the vocabulary just above your level, what I call ‘level + 1‘ (e.g. Band 7).
It is true that publishers and book writers do create word lists at different levels, and they try to include, or focus on these words in their course books for different levels.
For example the English Profile database is such an example.
However, I think such a word list has little use for a student. Why?
Because you cannot see how to use the word; there is no context.
So focus on learning vocabulary just above your level (level+1), not fancy ‘band 9’ vocabulary that you may not know how to use.
How to Record New Words?
So, imagine the situation.
You are studying for IELTS, maybe listening to an audio sample answer.
You find some new words you think are important.
What do you do?
Well, whenever possible, I recommend the following;
- Write down the word and the form (is it a verb, noun, adjective…?)
- Note the words before and after it. In other words check the collocation. You can use OZDIC to help you.
- Write a sample phrase, so you can always see how it is used
- Make an audio recording of new words (maybe on your phone – somewhere easy to access and listen to)
Watch this video below to see how I do this.
How to Remember Vocabulary
Frequency
There are many different ways to remember words and you will need to find the one(s) that work best for you.
What is true for everyone though, is that after 24 hours, if you do not review something you have learnt, you lose about 70% of it!
That’s huge.
The message is simple – review new language before you go to bed, don’t wait more than 24 hours.
Techniques
Here are some of the more well-known ways of remembering vocabulary.
Which of the following techniques have you tried?
Mnemonics
1. In order to remember useful conjunctions in English, we can use the acronym FANBOY
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So
2. To remember how to spell words we create a sentence. For example, I often struggle with ‘b-e-l-i-e-v-e’
So I use this phrase ‘never believe a lie‘
3. To remember a new word like ‘snorkelling‘ I make sound associations. I imagine a man snorkelling, but he fell asleep and died. He ‘snores‘ (when asleep) and it is ‘killing‘ him.
Mind Palace
This was popularised by Sherlock Holmes – well at least the new one. Watch it in action below.
So, here you imagine a house with many rooms. You visualise each room and you ‘put’ a new word (from your word list) into each room. Then you practice visiting each room and collecting the word there.
Word lists
Mind Maps
These are extremely useful ways of recording words, phrases and information.
They work because the method of storing the information, via a visual map, is the same way our brain works. So, it is easier to recall words when you need them.
You can make mind maps based on themes, synonyms, meaning or even collocation.
Colours and images make them more powerful.
How to Activate Vocabulary
We have 2 kinds of vocabulary
1. Passive
Words that we recognise when we see or hear them, but we can’t use yet when speaking.
2. Active
Words that we can use as well as recognise
You may ‘know‘ lots of words (you recognise them), but if you can’t use them, they won’t help your speaking!
It is really important to start using words, to activate them, so they become part of your active IELTS Speaking vocabulary.
This can then help you improve your speaking skills.
The key to activating words is to do things with them!
Here are 2 simple things you can DO with new words.
1. If you have a word list, put the words into different groups.
For example, with this FOOD word list, I can put them into groups such as things
I like / don’t like
Healthy / Unhealthy
Example sentences in dictionaries usually make no connection to our own lives, but by connecting language to our own lives, we are more likely to activate it.
For example,
I rarely eat white bread in the morning, I prefer fresh fruit.
Where to Learn New IELTS Speaking Vocabulary
Always learn new vocabulary in context.
This is important so you know how to use the word or expression.
In order to learn spoken and natural English, you should try to learn a large part of your vocabulary from speaking sources.
That means you learn it from listening to things like,
- TV debates
- Talk shows (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/user/GMB)
- Soap operas or sitcoms
- Podcasts
- Radio
- IELTS sample answers (in audio or video format)
When learning by listening you can know,
- that the language is ‘spoken‘ not just written
- the context, or kind of situation (e.g. when talking to a shop assistant) where it is used
- how it is used (e.g. collocation)
- correct pronunciation and intonation
Find a list of useful Podcasts here (scroll to Podcast section)
So, now you can start using a variety of techniques to improve your IELTS Speaking vocabulary.
If you liked this guide, or you want to share your own tip about how you learn vocabulary leave a comment below!
As a community we can all learn together.
Do you have an online course
Yes, I have a few here: https://courses.keithspeakingacademy.com/
Hi,
I don’t find any other place to connect with you and ask my question. I believe that you are able to teach other IELTS skills as well as speaking. However, I am so curious to know why you don’t do this. Why do you only choose SPEAKING for teaching?
Would you please let me know, what is speaking’s attribute and secret?
Best regards,
I just decided to focus on Speaking as this is where my strength and interest lie. The secret to speaking better English is find a good teacher, enjoy your learning and practice lots!
Dear Keith
Thank you for teaching us very useful things in English.
I have a question if you don’t mind.
I have tried several methods to learn English and finally I found out that learning collections is the best and easiest way of learning English because it tells us the way we must use words in the sentences.
My favorite dictionary for finding collections is the longman dictionary of contemporary English.I like it a lot but I usually cannot find collocations for many words I want in it, specially the taboo words.
I would be most grateful if you could tell me where can I find collocations for all the words I want?
I mean in which dictionary,book,PDF or on which website and so on has been collected the most collocations for English words.
I am not sure which has the most, but the best quality one I have found is http://www.ozdic.com
Thank you for answering my question.
No worries!
Dear Sir Keith.
Is it possible for me to get 7,0 band score if I learn IELTS by online course? Cause I dont have a knowledge about IELTS before. And my vocabullary is below average
It is hard to say, as I don’t know your ability, but it is certainly possible.
What I don’t know is how long it would take you.
You can learn strategies and language from an online course, for sure.
I would also recommend finding friends, or other students to do lots of speaking practice too.
Hey Keith,
I watched one of your YouTube videos and found it really interesting. You gave a link to your Udemy course but i couldn’t find the course on Udemy. Have you unlisted your course from Udemy. I am really interested to get that course on Udemy because i have a subscription of Udemy.com.
Hello Pearl,
At the moment I only have one course on Udemy, FLUENT GRAMMAR for IELTS Speaking. The others are only available on my website.
Good evening Keith
Hopefully you are going well. I have been watching your videos for a while. My desire scores are Speaking and Listening 8 and Writing and Reading 7.
I attempted exam two times.
First exam scores
S 7.5
L 8
W 7
R 6.5
Second exam scores
S 7.5
L 8
W 6
R 6.5
I would like to attempt exam in a week again as I don’t have enough time. Please assist me in regards to that to achieve desired scores.
Thanks heaps
Regards
Varinder
Hi Varinder, I am unable to give direct classes, but I hope all the resources on my website might help you towards your goal. Very best of luck! Keith
Thank You, Sir. I’m from Bangladesh.
My pleasure – great to see you here.
I have difficulty with Filter voices although I speak great and in continuous flow later on I find it difficult to begin a talk and that’s where I get many filter voices I did record them and notices this. The same is with my ideas for few different topics while writing can u give me some steps to avoid those and improve my ideas for writing as well. Although I’ve been to a various websites for IELTS I don’t find the sort of teaching as they only have the content of what’s in the exam but you have more in-depth of it and I’m a huge fan of your teaching and much inspired from you as well “You are outstanding” and I wish if you could help few students to speak during the live sessions every time so it could help us learn to improve on our speaking skills. Any such plan for doing that then please let us know. Once again thanks for this great speaking academy.
Thanks for such a wonderful comment. I think at the start of a talk or an answer, it’s important to pause for a few seconds if you need to, so you can get your idea ready. Then start speaking. It’s very normal for people to be hesitant at the start of giving an answer. You could practice giving answers under exam conditions, with a stopwatch. This might help. You can practice with these videos here: https://keithspeakingacademy.com/ielts-speaking-practice-tests/
Thank you so much for your effort
I appreciate
My pleasure!
Thank you sir, this was very informative video
Pleased you liked it!
Hello sir, I want to know some new words. But I have not proper dictionary for that so can you tell me which dictionary did you use in your video (learn vocabulary easily).
I am glad to have it.
By the way you are a great tutor.
I am enjoying to learn with you.
THANK YOU
I would recommend both the Collins Dictionary: https://www.collinsdictionary.com
and the Cambridge one: https://dictionary.cambridge.org
I have difficulties memorizing words. I tried to get learn from many sources, some did not continue after a while because it was impractical. I have been watching your youtube lessons for 1 week. You speak very clearly.
Thank you very much for solving my language learning problems.
I came to this page about how to memorize words. I really congratulate you as an effective language teacher who is teaching languages on the web. You’ve come to the top of my list. I think many language learners will soon discover that. Thank you very much for sharing your language learning technique and practice with us.
So pleased to hear that and thanks for your kind words.
its great to have your sir . Thank you for your help .lots of love from Nepal
My pleasure – glad I can help!
Hello Keith. I am following your YouTube channel. My name is Nikhil. Could you consider it as a benevolent request and upload a video on your youtube channel of how lip reading module of listening test of IELTS Academic examination is conducted. I am hearing impaired candidate and it is my first attempt so due to this reason I want to know more about it how it is conducted. Will egarly wait for your reply.
Hi Nikhil. One of the great things about IELTS, as I think with all Cambridge Assessment exams, is they take special measures for people with hearing or speaking difficulties.
I know there is a lip-reading option for IELTS listening, but I should not make a video about it, as I am not an IELTS representative, and I do not think I am the appropriate person to do that.
You can read more about how you will be supported in the test here: https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/special-requirements/hearing-or-speaking-difficulties
The key thing is to contact your IELTS test centre beforehand to make arrangements and get guidance from them on how best to prepare for this. I hope this helps and very best of luck in the test.
Thanks for your comment.
Thank you so much, Teacher Keith.
You are very welcome!
Hi, Keith
I’ve been following your channel since last year, I watched almost all your videos, and I’ve already ” introduced ” you to my husband, who is an italian and he also fell in love with you, hahaha. I wish I could recommend you to as many chinese students as possible, unfortunately they can’t use youtube and facebook in China. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your great effort in making all the valuble videos.
Cheers
zai jian, baozhong.
Yanwei from Italy
So pleased I can help you Yanwei (and your husband). Thanks for commenting.
I want to get 7+ band in speaking. How can I make possible?Please recommend me sir!
Well it all depends on your present level, but one thing is sure, you will need to study and practice on a regular basis. You can follow my Youtube Channel, and maybe also take my online course which will give you a structured approach to your daily study. Good luck!
Hi Keith, you are like an angel who I found on youtube! thank you sir
So kind – thanks!
Very helpful for speaking to increase our vocabulary.
Pleased to hear that – thanks!
Hello!
Dear sir,
I have started listening to your videos since a few days and I have noticed that my speaking has improved a little bit. I found your videos very helpful n amazing. I really appreciate your effort and time sir. I am looking for topic based vocabulary as my IELTS exam is approaching fast. Plz help with it.
Thank you, I am pleased my videos are helping. For topic-based vocabulary, you are in the right place.
You can find lesson notes filled with vocabulary for lots of common IELTS topics here: https://keithspeakingacademy.com/ielts-speaking-vocabulary-words-topics/
Just click on the topic and it takes you to a complete lesson you can study for each topic.