Look Who it Was Random video

Speaking Strategy Turn Pronunciation Problems into Higher Scores

2,938 views · Published 20 May 2017 · 5:32 · Indexed 28 September 2026

Channel: IELTS Energy TV · 2017 · Education

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Today you’ll learn how to handle your pronunciation problems on the IELTS Speaking Exam.

Visit ielts.allearsenglish.com for the simplest and most effective IELTS strategies.

I’ve been working with a student recently who has issues pronouncing her r’s and l’s correctly. This is a common problem!

No matter what your first language is, perhaps you have your own issues with certain sounds, such as the famously difficult ‘th’ sounds.

Today, you’ll learn exactly how to strategically handle these errors during your Speaking Exam to actually increase your scores!

Firstly, you should recognize the fact of the examiner being confused. If you see the examiner exhibit a puzzled expression, you need to address the issue immediately.

By recognizing the lack of clarity and rectifying the problem, you are proving your ability to communicate clearly. This improves your Fluency score.

Also, through using today’s phrases, you also show high-level vocabulary and sentence structure.

Phrases to address the problem:

Use these phrases if you notice the examiner looks confused:

Wait, sorry, that didn’t come out correctly. What I mean is…

Sorry, I can tell by your facial expression that I didn’t say that right. Let me explain…

Strategy #1:

Spell out the name.

If you cannot say the name correctly, spell it out! Native speakers do this too! It’s a natural and common communication strategy.

Strategy #2:

Describe and explain.

For example, if I cannot say the name of my favorite TV show, Supernatural, I could describe it like this: “It’s a show about two brothers that hunt supernatural creatures, such as vampires, ghosts and werewolves.”

So, if you did not pronounce something correctly and this prevents your meaning from coming through, stop right away and recognize the error with one of today’s phrases.

Then, either spell out the name, or describe and explain it.

Try this out the next time you feel misunderstood by a native speaker, especially an examiner!

This is a great example of turning our problems into successes, using the opportunity to show our impressive ability to communicate.

In our online IELTS course, 3 Keys IELTS, we give you all the strategies and practice you need to score highly on all parts of the IELTS exam.

Check out our online course now, the only one with a guaranteed score increase, at allearsenglish.com/keys.

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