Teacher4.meIELTS Speaking practice online: how to prepare with a 1-to-1 tutor
Short answer: The IELTS Speaking test is an 11–14 minute face-to-face interview with an examiner in three parts, marked on fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. The most useful online practice is a full mock test with a 1-to-1 tutor followed by clear feedback on those four areas, repeated regularly before your test date.
IELTS is popular with learners in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea and Japan who plan to study, work or live abroad. Many feel ready for reading and listening but nervous about speaking, because you cannot practise a conversation alone. A 1-to-1 online tutor fixes that.
How the IELTS Speaking test works
According to the official IELTS website (ielts.org, checked 7 November 2026), the Speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner. It is recorded, takes 11–14 minutes and has three parts. It is the same for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
- Part 1 (4–5 minutes): the examiner asks general questions about familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies or interests.
- Part 2 (3–4 minutes): the "long turn". You get a task card, have one minute to prepare with pencil and paper, then speak for up to 2 minutes. The examiner may ask one or two follow-up questions.
- Part 3 (4–5 minutes): a discussion of more general and abstract issues linked to the Part 2 topic.
What the examiner listens for
Your speaking is assessed on four criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource (vocabulary), grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Good practice gives you feedback on each of these, not just a general "good job".
How to practise each part with an online tutor
- Part 1: ask your tutor for quick questions on everyday topics. Practise answering in two or three full sentences with a reason or example, not one word.
- Part 2: have your tutor give you a new task card, time one minute of notes, then speak for the full 2 minutes. Ask them to note where you stopped, repeated yourself or ran out of ideas.
- Part 3: practise giving opinions, comparing, and explaining causes and effects on wider topics. Ask your tutor to push you with "why?" and "what about in the future?" questions.
- Full mock test: every few lessons, do all three parts in 11–14 minutes with no help, like the real test. Then spend the rest of the lesson on feedback.
- Review: ask your tutor to type corrections and better phrases in the chat, and record yourself so you can hear your progress.
What to look for in an IELTS speaking tutor
- IELTS or exam preparation in their subjects, and reviews from students who prepared for a test.
- Clear feedback using the four marking criteria.
- Lesson times that fit your week. Check the time zone if your tutor lives in another country.
- A native English speaker for natural pronunciation, or a teacher who also speaks your language if you are a beginner. You can filter by nationality and language.
A tutor can help you prepare, but a practice session is not an official IELTS test and no tutor can promise a band score. Always check the official IELTS website and your test centre for test-day rules.
Ready to practise? Find an IELTS teacher, read which English test do you need?, or browse all teachers.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the IELTS Speaking test?
11–14 minutes, in three parts, according to the official IELTS website (ielts.org). Part 1 is 4–5 minutes, Part 2 is 3–4 minutes including one minute to prepare, and Part 3 is 4–5 minutes.
Is the IELTS Speaking test the same for Academic and General Training?
Yes. The official IELTS website describes the same three-part, 11–14 minute Speaking test for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
How is IELTS Speaking marked?
Certificated IELTS examiners use four criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource (vocabulary), grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.
Can I practise IELTS Speaking online?
Yes. A tutor can run Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 over a video call, time your long turn and give feedback on the four marking criteria. A practice session with a tutor is not an official IELTS test and cannot give you an official band score.
How do I find an IELTS speaking tutor on Teacher4.me?
Open Find a teacher and search for IELTS, then read each teacher's subjects, reviews and prices. You can message a teacher without an account and book and pay the teacher directly.