Perfect IELTS Speaking Introduction to Impress the Examiner

Main ideas / lessons conveyed

• Purpose of the video: The speaker explains how to make a strong impression during the crucial first minutes of the IELTS Speaking test, based on discussions with former IELTS examiners.

Calm preparation in the waiting area

• If you feel nervous in the corridor, use a breathing exercise:
  • Breathe deeply and slowly
  • Imagine yourself feeling calm and confident
• This is presented as proven to work (claims that it helps manage nerves).

How to behave and communicate at the start

• The examiner may smile or may show no emotion—either way, respond by staying friendly and communicating naturally.
• When invited in:
  • Say “Hi/Hello/Good morning”
  • Say “Nice to meet you”
  • Look at the examiner and smile

When the assessment begins / time limits

• The assessment begins when the examiner:
  • switches on the recorder and says: “This exam is recorded.”
• The examiner then provides their:
  • name
  • examiner number
  • date
  • and collects your details
• After that, you have 4–5 minutes for the introduction and questions on three different topics.

How the introduction questions work (and how to answer correctly)

Name questions

• “What’s your name?” Give your full name as on your passport (given names first, then surname).

  • Example: Julia Maria Fernandez
  • If they ask “Who are you?” at school: Use a more formal structure like “My name is …”

• “What should I call you?” Repeat your name briefly and/or provide a short form (e.g., Asean, Alex), or tell them a preferred name (e.g., Bob).

Passport handling

• Don’t hand it in silently—say “Here it is.”

“Where are you from?” (common misunderstanding)

• Some candidates give overly detailed descriptions of their city/village and get interrupted.
• Reason: this is still the introductory part, so answers should be brief.
• Example “brief but grammatically rich” answers:
  • “I’ve been living here all my life.”
  • “I’m originally from Brazil, but I’ve been living in Istanbul for a long time.”
• The introduction is said to last about 30 seconds to collect basic information.

Transition to Part 1 topics

• The examiner will say they will ask questions about your first topic.
• Common Part 1 topic categories listed:
  • work/studies
  • home town
  • home
  • family
• You’ll get several questions about one topic, depending on your answer.

How to answer Part 1 questions (length, style, and avoiding rehearsed responses)

• If you give too many details, the examiner will likely interrupt and move on.
• Two reasons interruptions happen:
  1. It’s easy to memorize a description—if your answer sounds rehearsed, they may proceed.
  2. The examiner must manage time across three topics, so you can’t talk too long about one question.
• Suggested timing guidance:
  • Aim for about 20–30 seconds per answer.
  • Simpler questions → shorter answers.
  • More complex questions → longer answers.

Interruptions: what they mean and how they affect your score

• If the examiner interrupts, it won’t affect your score.
• Interruption styles mentioned:
  • Polite examiners who subtly signal you to wrap up
  • Others who interrupt immediately by asking the next question
• If the examiner asks the same question again:
  • Your first answer may be slightly off-topic or too long
• Fix:
  • Respond more directly next time.

Example answer strategy for “hometown” (and follow-up logic)

• The first hometown question differs from intro “where you are from.”
• Example hometown question: “Do you live in a city or a village?”
• Example answer characteristics:
  • Adds clarifying details (city/village) without unnatural language
  • Emphasizes moving from a village to a nearby city due to job and schools
• Advice:
  • Don’t try to be “original” using unnatural phrasing (overly formal or forced comparisons).

Vocabulary/idioms highlighted through examples

The video includes example collocations/idiomatic expressions and their meanings:

• “to fly the nest” = move away from parents’ home
• “career opportunities” = opportunities that help your career
• “to go further afield” = go a great distance / far away from home

Practice guidance and resources

• Examiners vary:
  • Some are friendly/smiling
  • Others strict/moody/bored (including behaviors like looking away or inspecting nails)
• Even if the examiner seems unfriendly, they can still assess you accurately—focus on what you must do and practice.
• Recommended practice:
  • Part 1: answer 10–12 questions on three topics; aim for about five minutes total
  • Part 2: although instructions say 1–2 minutes, in practice aim to speak until the examiner stops you
• Mentioned resource:
  • An ebook with over 40 challenging IELTS speaking topics
  • Claims include: simple answers, topic-specific vocabulary, and a free preview (links in description)
• Another video technique is referenced:
  • They discussed a method to extend answers to two minutes in a different video.

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Methodology / instructions (structured as a checklist)

Before the test (corridor/waiting)

• If nervous:
  • Breathe deeply and slowly
  • Imagine feeling calm and confident and seeing your “best self”
  • Repeat until you feel settled

First minutes: introduction and atmosphere

• Expect the examiner to possibly:
  • Smile (friendly) or
  • show no emotion
• Keep behavior consistent:
  • Communicate naturally
  • Stay friendly
• When called:
  • Say Hi / Hello / Good morning
  • Say Nice to meet you
  • Look at the examiner and smile

Know exactly when assessment begins

• Start counting “officially” when:
  • The examiner turns on the recorder and says: “This exam is recorded.”
• Note: the examiner collects your details (name, examiner number, date, your info).

Answer “intro” questions briefly and correctly

• What’s your name?
  • Give your full name as in passport: given names first + surname
• What should I call you?
  • Repeat briefly or give a preferred short form
  • If you prefer a different name, tell the examiner
• Can I see your passport please?
  • Say: “Here it is” (don’t hand it over silently)
• Where are you from?
  • Keep it short (intro stage)
  • Avoid detailed city/village descriptions that may trigger interruption
  • You may use present perfect continuous as a grammar opportunity, e.g.:
    • “I’ve been living here all my life.”

Part 1 questions: how long to answer

• Per question:
  • Aim for ~20–30 seconds
• Follow-up length:
  • Shorter for simpler questions
  • Longer for more complex questions
• Avoid:
  • Overexplaining
  • Answers that sound like they were memorized / overly rehearsed

Handling interruptions

• Don’t worry:
  • Interruptions do not affect your score
• If interrupted politely or abruptly:
  • Continue calmly; don’t be upset
• If asked the same question again:
  • Your prior answer may be off-topic or too long
  • Respond more directly

Example hometown approach (how to respond naturally)

• If asked whether you live in a city/village:
  • Explain the context clearly
  • If relevant, briefly describe changes (e.g., moved for job/schools)
• Don’t attempt unnatural complexity:
  • “Don’t try to be original” if it makes language sound weird
  • Natural phrasing beats forced or overly ornate language

Practice timing strategy

• Practice Part 1:
  • Answer 10–12 questions
  • Across three topics
  • Aim for roughly five minutes total
• Practice Part 2 timing:
  • Although guidance says 1–2 minutes, speak until the examiner stops you

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Speakers / sources featured

• Speaker (primary): Asiya (identified at the start: “It’s Asiya—let’s get started”)
• Source type mentioned: Former IELTS examiners (the speaker discusses the exam from their point of view)
• Published resource mentioned: the speaker’s/partner’s ebook
  • Described as having over 40 challenging IELTS speaking topics and offering a free preview