Using Body Language in IELTS Speaking

How does using body language affect your score in IELTS speaking? Should you use body language in your speaking test? Read below to get useful tips.

Does body language affect your score in IELTS speaking?

No, it doesn’t. Your speaking test is marked on four criteria which are related only to language:

  1. fluency and coherence
  2. grammar
  3. vocabulary
  4. pronunciation

The means the examiner will not mark your body language, your appearance or even your ideas. Your score will depend only on the level of English language you produce in the test.

Is it ok to use body language?

It is fine to use body language. It won’t affect your score at all.

Do you recommend using body language?

I recommend that you do what is natural to you. If you usually use body language when you speak, then continue to do that in your test. It is important that you relax and be yourself. In some countries, such as Spain or Italy, it is very common for people to use hand gestures while speaking and it is also fine to do this in your test.

Warnings

Don’t replace verbal language with body language. This is a language test, so if you use a gesture or action instead of a word, you won’t get a high score. At all times, use language to boost your score.

More Tips for Speaking

You can find model answers, tips to improve your speaking at home and much more on this page: IELTS Speaking 

Main IELTS Pages

Develop your IELTS skills with tips, lessons, free videos and more.

Get my free lessons by email

Subscribe for free to get my new IELTS lessons sent to your email inbox.

Comments

  1. Harsharaj says

    Dear Liz,

    I would like to spend this moment to appreciate you, from the bottom of my heart ,for your efforts towards reaching many students across the globe and resolving their quires about IELTS.

    I have done my IELTS exam on NOV 19th, with the aid of your blog. It is not possible to every one to do this sort of service and i have no words to explain it.

    lastly, If I heard a name LIZ , yours is the only pictures which appears to my Mind.

    Thanks a Lot.

    with best regards,
    Harsharaj

    • Sorry I missed this. Thank you for your kind comment 🙂 I hope your results went well 🙂

  2. Hi,
    Liz, lots of love for your superb tips on speaking test. I need a study partner, please could you find someone for me, thanks.

    • Try posting on my facebook page – there’s a link to my facebook page in the right hand column of this site.

  3. Abdul Rehman says

    Hello Liz Mam,
    I hope you would be fine. Mam, I’ve a query regarding my posts. I’ve done bunch of comments on your tutorials. But the thing is, whenever I see comments of mine. It doesn’t appear on your site.It shows like as, ( Your comment is awaiting moderation ). Which is hurting me. I’m big admirer of yours.
    This is my almost 7th time experience on commenting box. Let’s see what happens.
    I’m hoping that, this time my comment would be showed on your site.
    Regards…..
    Abdul…

    • Sorry. I have over 1,000 comments in moderation. I can’t answer all questions. However, try to post your question again and I’ll try to answer it.

  4. M.saleem says

    material is very informative, please send me more tips about about IELTS.

  5. Thank you

  6. Dawn Joy says

    Proud to mention that your you tube videos helped me to improve a lot in writing essays.. Thanks from the bottom of my heart..

  7. Dawn Joy says

    I’m Dawn Joy, I’ve attempted ielts twice. I’ve got 7 band score in all modules except speaking in both attempts.. I’ve lot of errors while speaking, may be because I’m nervous in exam conditions.. Is there any tips for me to get 7 band score for speaking.?

Leave a Reply to M.saleem Cancel reply

*

error: Content is protected !!