Importance of Pronunciation in IELTS

Every student who appears for the IELTS exam works hard to achieve a 9 band but what happens when a factor like pronunciation holds the capacity to mar your overall score.

Now, most of the students might think that, does pronunciation matter in IELTS? Well, let me tell you it sure does matter. Pronunciation individually holds a 25% weightage in IELTS Speaking score along with 25% of Fluency and Coherence, 25% of Lexical Range and Accuracy and 25% of grammatical accuracy.

Pronunciation is no rocket science, it is just the correct formation and delivery of words. Pronunciation can be a tough nut to crack for non-native English speakers, but with practice, you will get a grip on it in no time.

What are the various Pronunciation features in IELTS?

While working on your pronunciation, make it a point to cover all the pronunciation features. Pronunciation features IELTS are various aspects of pronunciation. If you wish to score well, you definitely need to work on the following pronunciation features:

•  Sentence stress: Popping the effect of a sentence by putting emphasis on certain keywords.

•  Elision and assimilation: the omission of sounds or syllables in an abstract way is called elision and adding or changing of sound while linking words together is called assimilation.

•  Intonation: ride and fall of the pitch while delivering a sentence.

•  Word stress and week sounds: posing less emphasis on grammar words and more stress on correct syllables and words (content words).

How to score 7+band in IELTS Speaking by using correct pronunciation?

•  Each and every word you say should be understandable and clear to the examiner. Do not try to fake an accent, rather try to be as natural as you can. Trying to copy an accent will not only affect your fluency adversely but also cramp your confidence.

•  You should use an extensive range of pronunciation features.

•  You make the correct sounds and emphasize certain words and syllables.

•  Stress more on content words than function words in a sentence. Content words are those that carry meaning and function words are mostly grammar rules. For example: if you are saying the sentence, I will meet you on the 9th of this month at 5 p.m, you will have to stress more on “9th”, “month” and “5 p.m.” while you deliver this sentence.

•  Pause when necessary. When you hear native speakers, they do not pause after every word in a sentence, instead, they link words that make them sound fluent. Linking words develops a certain rhythm in the speech.

• Add intonation to your speech. As discussed above, intonation is the rise and fall in the tone that makes it sound more natural and convincing to the listener. Without proper intonation, the speech may sound flat and less forceful.

Rome was not built in a day, the same way pronunciation takes a lot of time and effort to improve. You can not expect it to be like that of native speakers, overnight.

So, practice your way to a 7+band score in IELTS. By practicing you will come to know about your flaws and weak points. Take the help of various speaking practice tests online to perk up your skills. Try to converse in English as much as you can and especially with a native speaker.

Also, the best way to enhance your pronunciation skills is to practice under the expert guidance of certified and professional trainers at the best IELTS Institute in Ambala, Western Overseas. Their trainers will not only help you to be an eloquent speaker but also instill confidence in you,  that will help you get your desired score.