IELTS Speaking Test Tips:
Correcting Yourself

The IELTS Speaking Test pushes you to the limits of your English ability. You know this and the examiner knows this too. You’re probably going to be anxious, tense, and conscious of every single word that comes out of your mouth. So it’s natural, even expected, that you might trip over your words, or make a mistake at least once or twice during your test.

But it’s okay! Your IELTS Speaking score is not based on how many mistakes you make, it’s about the language you produce.

What does that really mean?

It means that if you can correct any grammar or vocabulary mistake you make quickly, you actually give yourself a chance to demonstrate more control and awareness of your own grammar and language abilities. I’m not saying that making a mistake could improve your score, just remember that mistakes are natural and expected. More crucially, it also means that making a mistake and correcting yourself will not lose you any points.

Phrases for Correcting Yourself

I mean…

For correcting little grammar errors, try “I mean…”

This is a very easy way to change single words in the middle of the sentence without changing the rest of your sentence. Great for keeping your fluency smooth and making it clear to the examiner that you recognised your mistake. Say “I mean” before your correction. For example:

We went up to – I mean, down to Ho Chi Minh City in the south of Vietnam.
It takes about 3 days – I mean, hours to get to Rio by plane.
I go there – I mean, I went there a couple of years ago with my family.
I never go – I mean, I’ve never been abroad.
We had to woke up early – I mean we had to wake up early.

You turn to practise!

How would you correct these sentences using… I mean…?

For example:

I love eating… coffee at my favourite café. (drinking)

= “I love eating … I mean drinking coffee at my favourite café.”

In the morning I usually have breakfast at 9pm… (9am)
For my last birthday, my husband took… me a beautiful new purse. (bought)
Last year we go… to Shanghai for a week. (went)
In the park there is a little sea…where we like to go swimming. (lake)
My brother and I look very similar to my dad, so I can definitely say we take after her… (him)

Actually…

For changing mistaken facts, names, places or other information in your answer, try “actually”. This is if your sentence is not grammatically wrong, but it’s not the exact truth. For example the wrong date, the wrong name or wrong place.

This is also useful for adding more quick details if they pop into your head like in Part 2, for example.

I didn’t go to any museums in Paris – actually we went to one. But it was very small and I can’t remember it very well.
We visited Egypt 2 or 3 years ago…actually it’s been 5 years now.
We walked around the huge shopping mall – actually we ate in the food court as well.
We took a taxi to the hotel – actually there was a bus but it was very crowded and we were too tired to walk any more.
I remember going to Japan in 2013 – actually it was 2014, sorry.

You don’t have to repeat the sentence all over again. Just correct yourself with ‘I mean’ or ‘actually’ before the correction, and continue your answer, easy!

Again, there are no grammar mistakes in the example above, but in order to change the information naturally and quickly, use “actually.”

You turn to practise!

Finish these sentences with some different information.

When I was at school we only played football in P.E class… actually we played…
In Singapore there is only one place to go hiking… actually…
In the cities, it seems that everyone has an iPhone 5 or 6… actually now it’s…
Public transportation in my city stops at 1 in the morning…actually nowadays…
There aren’t any internet cafes in my hometown anymore…actually…

Remember:

Under pressure, we all make mistakes. Native speakers use these phrases all the time in naturally spoken English when we need to correct ourselves. This technique will not automatically increase your score, but it can be a critical difference in showing that examiner that you knew you made a mistake, or were not aware you did anything wrong.

Ideally, you won’t have to use these techniques in your speaking test at all! However, if you do make a mistake, “I mean…” and “Actually…” are great phrases that will help you keep calm and feel confident that you’re not losing any marks.

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