IELTS Speaking: Should I use Sir or Madam

by 39 Comments

Hi guys,

Here are some tips about how to address the examiner. I asked you if you should use Sir or Madam when speaking to the examiner in your IELTS speaking test. You all had very different opinions about that. Let me explain.

Using Sir or Madam Tips

Informal

The IELTS speaking test is informal. This means you speak to the examiner in a friendly manner as through you were chatting to a friend. Yes, you should be polite, but you do not use Sir or Madam.

Referring to the Examiner

The only questions you might ask in the test are:

  • Could you repeat that please?
  • Could you explain what you mean please? (only in part 3)

When you ask these questions you do NOT use Sir or Madam. It is actually incorrect to do so. The word “please” is the polite way of asking, no titles are needed.

When is Sir or Madam Used?

Sir and Madam are mainly used:

  1. in the hospitality industry when you are working in a hotel, for example, and you speak to a customer
  2. in formal letter writing when you do not know the name of the person you are writing to.

You do not refer to people in the street or doctors or teachers or anyone else as Sir or Madam. You should not refer to me as Madam.

Using the Examiner’s Name

The examiner will introduce their name. You can use it or not use it – it’s up to you. It is certainly not necessary to use their name. If you use their name, then you will use their first name. For example, if the examiner’s name is Sarah Biggins, you will call the examiner Sarah.

Conclusion

You should NOT use Sir or Madam in the IELTS speaking test. Your politeness to the examiner is by smiling, looking them in the eye when they are talking to you and when you talk to them, and saying “please” when you ask a question.

Notice:

I wish to make it clear again.  I DO NOT OFFER A QUESTION/ANSWER SERVICE.

Always remember when you post a comment that I do not offer an answer service. I am sorry that many students will not receive a reply to their comments, but I work alone and cannot possibly reply to everyone. Always read comments written to other students in the past – you might find your answer there. This is not a conspiracy on my part, this is life – I can’t answer 2500 comments every month. Please do not get upset if your comment is not answered.

IELTS Liz website is to give you access to over 300 pages of lessons, tips, model answers and free video lessons. The materials on this site are extensive and you can learn a lot from them – this is the sole purpose of my site – to provide you access to my lessons. It is not my aim to provide an answer service.

Please enjoy the using and learning from my lessons and tips.

All the best

Liz

 

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Comments

  1. Lucky mahi says
    May 1, 2018 at

    Thanks for your consultant

    Reply
  2. ThanhDC says
    April 21, 2018 at

    Very helpful ! Thanks sharing

    Reply
  3. Oluwasola Akanmu says
    April 19, 2018 at

    Thanks Liz

    Reply
  4. emperor says
    April 18, 2018 at

    Appreciate for your contribution… Thanks

    Reply
  5. Muhammad Hamza says
    April 15, 2018 at

    Looking for speaking partner…..
    If any one interested,can call
    +92-3154047552 whatsapp

    Reply
  6. Karthik says
    April 11, 2018 at

    Looking for speaking partner.
    Ping me +91-9566261511

    Reply
  7. Sunnatillo says
    April 11, 2018 at

    Thank you so much Liz!!

    Reply
  8. Rim El Badaoui says
    April 10, 2018 at

    Thank you very much Liz.

    Reply
  9. Tdyke Daniel says
    April 9, 2018 at

    Thanks a million Liz
    You are a darling

    Reply
  10. Sandeep Kaur says
    April 8, 2018 at

    Thnkuu very much mam 😝😝😝😝

    Reply
  11. DH says
    April 8, 2018 at

    Thank you very much for your great comment for it !!!

    Reply
  12. Dina Musefuka says
    April 7, 2018 at

    Thanks Luz

    Reply
  13. Pankaj Prakash says
    April 7, 2018 at

    Thanks Liz

    Reply
  14. Idrees says
    April 7, 2018 at

    thanks Liz

    Reply
  15. Ketan Bhagat says
    April 7, 2018 at

    Thanks Liz,

    You have given useful things for IELTS speaking test.

    Thanks

    Reply
  16. Asha says
    April 7, 2018 at

    Thank you Liz

    Reply
  17. Ebygood says
    April 7, 2018 at

    Thank u Liz, your tips are wonderful. Now I know (sir or madam) off the way.

    Reply
  18. Clara says
    April 7, 2018 at

    Thank you , Liz.

    Reply
  19. Pabitra K Bhattacharjee says
    April 7, 2018 at

    thanks Liz for your nice explanatory message

    Reply
  20. F.S. says
    April 6, 2018 at

    The help you give is much appreciated. Thank you Liz

    Reply
  21. Ogbagha glory says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thanks so much Liz, I really appreciate this lesson.

    Reply
  22. AMR says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thank you so much dear Liz

    Reply
  23. Saira says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thanks a lot Liz to clarify this question.

    Reply
  24. Emad says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Dear Liz,
    I want to thank you for your efforts which helped me to improve my scores, because your website and YouTube videos were very useful. I really appreciate that.

    Reply
  25. Saumen Barua says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thanks a lot Liz.I can’t express how much I am grateful to you.

    Reply
  26. Fatemeh says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thanks Alot Liz🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸14th of This month I am going to Take an Exam, I hope I can get a good Mark, Your website 8s wonderful,🌹🌹🌹🌹

    Reply
  27. musayeb says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thanks Liz.
    so nice explanation.

    Reply
  28. Anton says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thank you so much for your dedicated work aiming to help IELTS takers.

    Reply
  29. Anunkor Chisom says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Tnk u Liz, we appreciate ur effort towards oyr success

    Reply
  30. Wale says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thank you Liz for the clarification on the use of “sir and madam”

    Please can I great the examiners on entry into the exam room by saying “good morning” or “good afternoon” ??

    Reply
  31. Ameet Lohano says
    April 6, 2018 at

    This is really interesting information you shared. Mostly, during any kind of examination candidates use these words (Sir or Madam) very oftentimes. Now I get it crystals clear to use or not during speaking. Thanks for being informative.

    Reply
  32. Belinda Carol says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thank you

    Reply
  33. Sadia says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thank you so.. much Mam for your support <3 <3

    Reply
  34. Gangadhari Sowmya says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Hii
    I want some tips in listening especially in sentance completing plz help me mam

    Reply
  35. Clécia says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thank you Liz to clarify this question, so now I learned how to refer or call the examiner.

    Thank you

    Reply
  36. Rawia Obida says
    April 6, 2018 at

    Thank you so much Liz
    appreciate it.

    Reply

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