IELTS Speaking Practice: Personal or Group Sessions?

When it comes to IELTS coaching, the approach to speaking practice varies from institute to institute. My personal experience tells me that speaking sessions are often conducted on a 1-on-1 basis. Many students find speaking in front of a group embarrassing and uncomfortable. However, it's important to note that IELTS is primarily a test of your speaking skills, not public speaking skills. In the final exam, you will just be speaking with your examiner, and no one else will be watching.

Initial Assessment and Strategy

The first thing any IELTS coaching institute does is analyze your speaking skills and develop a strategy to help you improve. The focus often begins with your grammar and pronunciation. Once you have a solid grasp of these fundamentals, you will participate in both group and individual speaking sessions where you will interact and receive feedback on how to enhance your skills. The First Academy, which I attended, stands out as the best in the field due to their comprehensive approach and expertise.

Practice Sessions at First Academy

First Academy, located in Hyderabad, offers a mix of group and personal speaking sessions, all of which are monitored by experts in the field. These sessions allow you to gain valuable experience and improve your speaking skills under professional guidance. If you're looking for more information on their teaching methods, you can simply google them online.

Varied Teaching Approaches

The approach to speaking practice can differ significantly across institutes. For instance, the institute I attended follows a structured method, offering both group and personal sessions. The experts at First Academy analyze and assess your speaking skills and provide personalized advice for improvement. In this way, they help you understand your learning curve more effectively.

However, it's important to note that there are other institutes like TBIL that offer a more structured preparation. They have dedicated rooms for personal interviews to simulate the actual examination experience. Other institutes may offer unstructured group sessions where the teacher asks questions, which can be beneficial but may lack the personalized attention you need.

Productive Ways to Prepare

Here are some additional productive methods to prepare for the IELTS speaking section:

Encouraging students to give small presentations: This helps in building confidence and improves your ability to speak on a variety of topics. Group discussions: Engaging in conversations with peers can help you practice your speaking skills and understand the flow of a conversation better. One-to-one discussions: These can be particularly effective in identifying and addressing specific areas of improvement.

While one-to-one interactions are ideal, especially in a private setting, group discussions can also be beneficial. They can help break the ice and provide a supportive environment for practice.

Whichever approach you choose, the key is to get as much practice as possible and to receive constructive feedback to help you improve your IELTS speaking skills.