Hi, I’m Daniel Hughes, and in this guide I’ll share my favourite fluency practice techniques to help you sound smooth, confident, and natural in IELTS Speaking Part 2.
Fluency isn’t about speaking fast — it’s about speaking naturally and continuously.
As the British Council explains, Band 7 and above speakers “speak at length without noticeable effort or loss of coherence.”
Let’s build that skill step by step.
Fluency forms 50 percent of your Fluency & Coherence mark, one of the four official IELTS criteria.
According to IELTS.org’s Speaking format, examiners judge how comfortably you can speak without long pauses, fillers, or hesitation.
The more naturally your ideas connect, the more confident and fluent you’ll sound — even if you make small grammar mistakes.
1️⃣ The 30-Second Drill
Start with short bursts of focused practice.
This builds speech stamina — the muscle memory to keep talking smoothly.
2️⃣ The 1-Minute Extension
Once 30 seconds feels comfortable, move to 1 minute 30 seconds, the average Part 2 length.
💡 Tip: Time yourself with a phone timer and focus on flow not perfection.
Even native speakers pause — the goal is to maintain momentum.
3️⃣ Shadowing Technique
Listen to a native speaker and imitate their rhythm and intonation.
You can find excellent short clips on BBC Learning English.
Step | Action |
1 | Choose a 90-second audio sample (e.g., story or interview). |
2 | Play and speak along simultaneously. |
3 | Focus on speed, stress, and intonation. |
4 | Repeat until your voice matches the speaker’s flow. |
Shadowing improves both fluency and pronunciation.
4️⃣ Connectors for Flow
Use small connectors to keep sentences moving.
Type | Examples |
Starting | “Well…”, “Actually…”, “You know…” |
Continuing | “And also…”, “Another thing is…”, “Besides that…” |
Explaining | “Because…”, “As a result…”, “That’s why…” |
Reflecting | “Looking back…”, “So overall…” |
These phrases buy you a second to think without sounding stuck.
You can hear them used naturally in IDP IELTS Speaking videos.
5️⃣ Paraphrasing for Continuity
If you forget a word, paraphrase instead of stopping.
Example:
“I forgot the word for that… you know, the thing people use to take pictures — a camera!”
Examiners value communication over accuracy.
It shows you can keep speaking without breaking the flow.
6️⃣ Record and Reflect
Every day, record yourself for two minutes on one cue card topic.
Then note three things:
You’ll see progress within a week if you track your timing and clarity.
7️⃣ Fluency Warm-Up Routine (3 Minutes)
Before any practice session:
Confidence comes from routine — this simple habit reduces exam-day nerves.
Mistake | Correction Tip |
Speaking too fast | Prioritise clarity — pause every 2–3 clauses. |
Overusing fillers (um, uh) | Replace with “well” or short connectors. |
Memorising scripts | Practise topics, not sentences. |
Pausing after every word | Link phrases together in groups of meaning. |
Avoiding pauses completely | Natural pauses show control — not hesitation. |
Describe a time when you helped someone.
Model Answer (≈ 1 min 40 sec)
I’d like to talk about a time I helped a friend move house. It was last summer and really hot, so we were sweating from the start. At first we thought it would take an hour, but it ended up taking almost five! We carried boxes, laughed a lot, and played music to keep our energy up. Although I was exhausted by the end, it felt rewarding to help a close friend.
✅ Clear flow with connectors (at first, but then, although, by the end). Natural timing and emotion.
After each session, ask yourself:
1️⃣ Does speaking fast mean I’m fluent?
No. Fluency means natural flow — not speed. Clear, steady speech scores higher.
2️⃣ Can I pause to think during the exam?
Yes. Short pauses show control — just avoid long silence.
3️⃣ How often should I practise fluency?
Daily for 5–10 minutes. Consistency matters more than length.
4️⃣ Do fillers reduce my score?
Occasional ones are fine, but frequent fillers can lower fluency marks.
5️⃣ Where can I watch real Band 8 samples?
On IELTS.org’s sample questions and IDP IELTS videos.
Fluency is a trainable skill — not a talent.
By recording yourself, using connectors, and practising daily timed speeches, you’ll build confidence and flow naturally.
Next, move on to Common Mistakes in Part 2 to learn what to avoid under pressure.
Or revisit the IELTS Speaking Overview to connect fluency skills to your overall band target.
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