Use of Language

Use of Language in IELTS Speaking

Misuse of Words

Vocabulary is a very important part of IELTS speaking, but students generally do not understand what constitutes good vocabulary. Precise vocabulary rather than the use of rarely used words is good vocabulary. Good vocabulary use occurs when students express ideas precisely and in a standard way (similar to an educated native speaker), which means using standard phrases and collocations (words that are used together, e.g., “wise choices,” “unreasonable demands,” “alcohol consumption,” etc.). By using standard vocabulary, students’ essays can be more easily understood by the examiner, show that they understand how language is used correctly, and allow the speaker’s meaning to be communicated effectively. Vocabulary is assessed based on how words are used rather than what words are used.

However, excellent vocabulary use is often incorrectly understood by students to mean using lots of complex words. Very often, students attempt to impress examiners by using complex words, and the result is almost always that instead of using a simple correct word, they use a complex word incorrectly. They show the examiner that they do not fully understand the words that they are using. Furthermore, no two words in any language have exactly the same meaning (if they did, one of the words would quickly fall into disuse), and changing a choice of vocabulary always means that the meaning of the sentence has also been changed.

Use Natural Language

An additional problem with attempting to use more complex language is that incorrect usage often confuses the examiner. When an incorrect choice of word is combined with other grammar or vocabulary mistakes, the speaking becomes very difficult to understand. It is a failure on the part of the student to communicate well, and if this occurs, students will receive a very heavy penalty and it will usually exclude them from achieving a score of Band 7 in speaking.

A further problem with attempting to use more complex vocabulary than is necessary is that the chosen word will not be consistent with the usual speaking style of the student and will lead to cohesion problems. Furthermore, native speakers do not aim to impress people with their vocabulary, so any attempt to use complex language will lead to non-standard usage. Students should always aim to use language that is familiar to them.

Students should be reminded that there are many examples of great literature (such as George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”) that uses very simple vocabulary. It is the quality of ideas and the effectiveness of the communication that increase your score. Native speakers use very complex vocabulary only when they are seeking to achieve a very exact meaning, and this only occurs when they are communicating complex arguments or making detailed descriptions. When words are rarely used, it is because they have very precise meanings and therefore should only be used in very specific circumstances. This makes them very difficult to use correctly, and it is typically only highly educated native speakers who use complex vocabulary.

Do Not Learn Word Lists

Merely memorizing lists of words may seem like a tempting shortcut for IELTS Speaking, but it falls short of providing the necessary skills to excel in this task. Speaking effectively requires a deeper understanding of vocabulary, including collocations, idiomatic expressions, and the ability to use words in context. Language is not merely a collection of individual words but a dynamic system of interconnected meanings and structures.

By solely relying on word lists, learners miss out on the subtleties and nuances that make language rich and meaningful. Developing a broader vocabulary repertoire, coupled with a solid grasp of grammar and sentence structures, allows speakers to express their ideas with precision, coherence, and fluency. It is through regular practice and exposure to authentic materials that learners can truly internalize vocabulary and employ it naturally when speaking. So, rather than focusing solely on word lists, it is essential to embrace a comprehensive approach that encompasses reading, listening, speaking, and writing in order to enhance overall language proficiency.

TIP: Improve your ability to communicate to improve your score in IELTS speaking.

The Danger of Synonyms

Sometimes, synonyms can have almost the same meaning and can be used interchangeably. For example, ‘huge’ and ‘enormous’ can be used to describe something that’s very big:

They live in a huge/enormous house in the country. (correct)
The directors awarded themselves a great/vast pay rise. (incorrect)

However, you need to be careful when using synonyms. Often two words or expressions that have a similar meaning cannot be used in the same contexts.

Sometimes words have different ‘connotations’ or subtle meanings which, if used incorrectly, can give the wrong impression. For example, ‘single-minded’ and ‘stubborn’ have a similar meaning. However, the former can be used in a positive context to describe someone who is focussed and determined to achieve something. ‘Stubborn’ on the other hand tends to be used with a negative connotation.

In addition to this, one word might ‘collocate’ or go with another word to describe something specific. For example, ‘vacant’ and ‘uninhabited’ have a similar meaning but are used to describe different things:

There are several uninhabited islands off the coast. (correct)
We had to stand on the train as there no uninhabited seats. (incorrect)

You need to say:

We had to stand on the train as there are no vacant seats.

In a similar way, some words appear as part of a set expression, and so using a synonym just wouldn’t work. For example, although ‘blow,’ ‘hit,’ and ‘punch’ have a similar meaning, only one of them works here:

The argument got so heated I thought they were going to come to blows. (correct)
The argument got so heated I thought they were going to come to punches. (incorrect)

Synonyms can also be more or less formal. For example, the nouns ‘help’ and ‘assistance’ have a very similar meaning. Imagine you’re with a friend who’s carrying some heavy shopping bags. You’d be far more likely to say ‘do you need any help with those bags’ because ‘assistance’ would be rather too formal. On the other hand, ‘If I can be of any assistance, please let me know.’ would be perfectly ok if it was said in a more formal situation.

So as a learning strategy, try categorizing any new synonyms you come across. For example:

Generally Interchangeable: The company has a goal/target/aim of increasing sales by 20%.
Contextual: The group trekked through the forest. I generally walk to the station every morning.
Formal vs. Informal: The show commences at 7.30. I think I’ll start preparing dinner.

And finally, if you also make a point of learning set expressions, you’ll hopefully avoid using a synonym when one isn’t appropriate.

TIP: Instead of using synonyms, just choose the best word you can to communicate what you want to say in IELTS speaking. Even if that means repeating the same word.

Words Must Collocate

Ineffective collocation use is one of the most common reasons for low marks in the IELTS exam. Below are some common examples of collocations from IELTS speaking exams. It’s important to check your collocations with a teacher so that you can make sure that your collocation use is accurate.

Make a decision
Take a risk
Give advice
Pay attention
Save time
Break a promise
Catch a cold
Do homework
Heavy rain
Strong opinion
Deep sleep
High expectations
Close friend
Fast food
Hard work

TIPS:

Speak naturally during the exam.
Do not upgrade your language.
Repeating a correct word is not a problem.
When you learn a word, also learn the collocations.

Most Candidates Should Avoid Idiomatic Language

Caution should be exercised when using idioms in the exam. It is important to select idioms that are commonly used and appropriate for the context, as the IELTS exam assesses clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Overusing or misusing idioms can lead to confusion or unintended meanings. Therefore, it is advisable to practice and familiarize yourself with a range of idiomatic expressions that are relevant to the topics covered in the exam, ensuring that you use them appropriately and effectively to enhance the overall quality of your speaking. In my experience, idioms used effectively for communication are something that you only see deployed effectively at Band 8 and above, so if you are not this level, do not try to use idioms.

Bad Example:

Climate change is a hot potato in today’s world. It’s a Pandora’s box that we can’t sweep under the rug anymore. The ball is in our court, and we need to think outside the box to tackle this issue head-on.

Good Example:

The rapid growth of the tourism industry in developing countries has become a double-edged sword. It has brought great wealth to some impoverished nations but has also led to severe environmental pollution at many popular tourist spots.

TIP: In general, only Band 8 and 9 candidates can use idiomatic language effectively to communicate when speaking.

Language Variation

Many students are taught to vary their language. This is not necessary except perhaps at the IELTS Band 8-9 level and often leads to problems. The focus for students should always be to communicate well, and varying language often does not lead to better communication and sometimes causes problems. Often students will vary their language naturally to good effect; however, students should not change a word purely to achieve variations as this can cause problems because sometimes there is no reasonable alternative for a word. A good example is the word “children,” which comes up as a subject in many IELTS essays. In order to achieve variation, many students will replace “children” with “kids,” which is far too informal to be used in writing (the original meaning of a “kid” is a “baby goat”). For example, in the sample essay “Moral Teaching for Students,” the word “children” is used 20 times. Students should only vary language if there is a clear alternative – often there is no acceptable alternative.

TIP:

Varying your language is only necessary at Band 8 or 9.
Repeating a correct word many times does not reduce the quality of communication and will not lead to a lower score.

Commonly Misused Words

There are many words that are commonly misused. A few of the most common are listed below:

Efficiency/Effectiveness: Efficiency is a much overused word in essays and should usually be replaced with “effectiveness.” Efficiency is how quickly or smoothly an event occurs, and effectiveness refers to how good the final result is. For example: John completed his work in a highly efficient manner; however, he would be more effective if he paid more attention to detail.
Knowledge/Learning/Thinking/Skills: “Knowledge” is also a commonly overused word. In this case, there is a key cultural difference between developing and developed countries, which causes the overuse of “knowledge.” In developing countries, education is focused on obtaining knowledge, so students will choose this word correctly based on their understanding. However, in the West, the education system is based on idea and skills development, resulting in native speakers rarely talking about knowledge. Students should generally seek to replace developing knowledge with words such as “thinking,” “skills,” or “learning.”
Enhance/Improve: “Enhance” is arguably the most misused word in essays and should always be avoided. Enhance is most commonly used in advertising; it is emotive rather than objective, which makes it unsuitable for use in academic writing and is most correctly used to describe additional features (not making things better). It should never be used as a synonym for improvement. Improvement is simply to make things better. It is a very common word and can be repeated a number of times in an essay.
Drugs/Medicine: Drugs and Medicine are commonly misused words in essays because drugs has a very wide meaning that is much wider than in many other languages. A drug is any substance that has the ability to modify the physiology of any species belonging to the animal kingdom. Drugs include illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or marijuana, medicines such as aspirin, panadol, and morphine, and alcohol. Alcohol is a drug because it modifies brain chemistry and affects coordination and judgement. A commonly used phrase is “drugs and alcohol,” even though this is duplication because many people do not think of alcohol as a drug. Medicine has a much narrower meaning when referring to drugs. It is used for drugs that are beneficial and when referring to individual drugs. The correct usage is complex and generally should be avoided in favour of the more general word. It should be noted that the correct word for a company that manufactures drugs/medicine is a “drug company,” not a “medicine company.”
Popular/Common: Popular is a commonly misused word in essays because it has a narrower meaning in English compared to other languages. Popular is most commonly used in fashion and entertainment. The use of popular often implies that something is in fashion at the moment but is likely to go out of fashion in the future rather than become a permanent change. Music, films, clothes, brands, and models of cars or phones, holiday destinations may all be popular. However, going to university, having a mobile phone or a car, or driving to school rather than walking or riding a bicycle to school are all common, and it is incorrect to use popular in these cases.
Punishment/Discipline: The purpose of punishment is to cause pain to people who have behaved badly. The aim of discipline is to teach people who have made poor choices. For children, the aim is always to teach; therefore, children should be disciplined and never punished. Punished is also commonly misused in IELTS questions by examiners to test whether students know the correct language.
Academic study/Education: Students often use “academic study” when describing areas of importance for young people; however, this language is imprecise. Studying is an action, but it is always better to describe the purpose of the action rather than the action itself. In this case, the purpose of the action is to become educated, and it is far more standard to use phrases such as “young people should focus on their education” rather than “young people should focus on their academic study.”
Convenient: When it comes to Mandarin speakers using the word “convenient” in English, it is quite common to observe incorrect usage. Due to linguistic differences, Mandarin speakers often mistakenly employ “convenient” in situations where a more suitable term would be “easy” or “simple.” This misinterpretation stems from the fact that the Mandarin word for “convenient” (“方便,” pronounced “fangbian”) encompasses a broader range of meanings, including both convenience and simplicity. As a result, Mandarin speakers may unintentionally overuse “convenient” in English conversations, using it to describe tasks or actions that merely require minimal effort or are straightforward. It is important to note these linguistic distinctions to ensure accurate communication and avoid any potential confusion.

Common Translation Mistakes

Mandarin:

“My phone is the very convenient to use.” – In Mandarin, ‘方便的’ Fāngbiàn can be used to mean user-friendly, easy, or nearby, but you cannot use it in this context in English.
“The education resources are good in my hometown.” – In Mandarin, you can say ‘educational resources’ to mean that your hometown has good schools and teachers, but this doesn’t make sense in English.

Arabic:

“I am too much cold.” – In Arabic, the translation of ‘too’ means ‘very,’ but in English, this means that there is too much of something for something else. For example, ‘too many people for the room’ (meaning you can’t have any more people). You need to say instead: “I am very cold.”
“Open the light.” – In Arabic, the word for turning something on uses the same verb as “open.” You need to say: “Turn on the light.”

Hindi:

“My all books are here.” – In Hindi, the structure is often “my all books” rather than “all my books.” Correct English: “All my books are here.”
“I am understanding.” – Hindi often uses continuous tense more frequently. Correct English: “I understand.”

Indonesian:

“I am boring.” – Indonesian speakers may confuse “bored” with “boring” due to the lack of this distinction in their language. Correct English: “I am bored.”
“I already eat.” – In Indonesian, tense is often indicated by context, leading to dropped auxiliary verbs. Correct English: “I have already eaten.”

Thai:

“She don’t like.” – Thai has no verb conjugation or auxiliaries like “do,” leading to errors in English. Correct English: “She doesn’t like it.”
“Today I go to shopping.” – In Thai, prepositions for movement or actions are often different, leading to literal translation mistakes. Correct English: “Today I am going shopping.”

Japanese:

“He is good at baseball, isn’t it?” – Japanese uses sentence-ending particles like “ne” for confirmation, often translating to “isn’t it” incorrectly. Correct English: “He is good at baseball, isn’t he?”
“I’m studying English since two years.” – Japanese doesn’t use the perfect continuous tense in the same way. Correct English: “I’ve been studying English for two years.”

Vietnamese:

“I and my friend go to the cinema.” – In Vietnamese, it is common to place “I” first, even though English requires “my friend and I.” Correct English: “My friend and I go to the cinema.”
“He very handsome.” – In Vietnamese, adjectives don’t require “is” or other linking verbs. Correct English: “He is very handsome.”

French:

“I have 25 years.” – In French, age is expressed with the verb “to have.” Correct English: “I am 25 years old.”
“I wait you.” – In French, the equivalent verb “attendre” does not need a preposition. Correct English: “I am waiting for you.”

Spanish:

“I have hunger.” – In Spanish, expressions of need or state often use the verb “to have” (tener). Correct English: “I am hungry.”
“She has 30 years.” – Similar to French, Spanish uses “to have” for age. Correct English: “She is 30 years old.”

TIP: Translators and dictionaries might translate words as being the same, but they often don’t have exactly the same meaning.

Use Precise Language

Try to speak as precisely as you can in the speaking exam. Instead of describing what you mean, try to use the precise word.

Example 1:

Imprecise: I went to the place where there is the lots of products and the many people who go there for the shopping. You can buy the things you need for the daily essentials.
Precise: I went to the supermarket.

Example 2:

Imprecise: Last weekend, we went to the shopping mall for looking in some places. We went more to chat and not really to buy that much. We looked in through lots of windows.
Precise: Last weekend, we went window shopping.

Example 3:

Imprecise: There is the place where they have the bad people they keep them for long time and they cannot leaving.
Precise: There is a prison.

Example 4:

Imprecise: In my city we have the changing weather it really having effect on us. Each year it is the hotter during the winter and the summer hotter this is happening the many places in the globe.
Precise: Climate change is changing the weather in my city.

Example 5:

Imprecise: These are the things that are not the small electronic useful things. You can carry them and they do the many funny thing that I like. I like to buy them the new when they come.
Precise: I love buying new gadgets.

Example 6:

Imprecise: I am feeling the sick, I have the paining in my head and I have some cough and I feel the hot. I am feeling this for a few days.
Precise: I had flu for a few days.