How to Improve IELTS Listening and Speaking: Expert Preparation Tips 2025

You already know that the Listening and Speaking sections are significant in getting a high band score, in case you are planning to take the IELTS Exam. These two modules are tests of your skills in comprehending and interacting in practical English scenarios, which are necessary skills in the study abroad, employment, or immigration in a foreign country.

Here in this blog, we are going to discuss practical tips for the Listening and Speaking Practice Tips for IELTS practice in order to enable you to increase your accuracy, confidence, and fluency. In both of the modules that you are going to learn, you will be exposed to strategies that have been proven by the most successful scorers and professional trainers to improve performance.

What are the Listening and Speaking Practice Tips for IELTS?

IELTS Listening and Speaking practice demands focused strategies that help candidates understand a variety of English accents and express ideas clearly and confidently. These skills not only improve your test performance but also enhance your ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations. Practicing under realistic exam conditions builds familiarity, reduces anxiety, and boosts accuracy.

Successfully preparing for IELTS requires active listening to diverse English speakers and practicing speaking on different topics using structured responses. Recording and reviewing your speaking practices helps identify mistakes, while expanding vocabulary and practicing common question types strengthens confidence. These combined efforts support consistent improvements and higher band scores.

How to improve IELTS listening practice?

To begin with some effective IELTS Listening tips that would make you focus more and learn to perceive various accents, IELTS Speaking practice strategies that can help you speak more naturally, organise your answers well, and score more points in the test.

• Listen to English podcasts or news on BBC or CNN. This helps you get used to different accents like British, American, or Australian.
• Read the questions before the audio starts. This way, you know what to listen for. Underline key words in the questions to spot them in the talk.
• Try full practice tests often. Time yourself to match the real test.
• After each test, check your answers and see where you went wrong.
• Focus on note-taking while listening. Write short notes, not full sentences. This builds your speed.
• Learn synonyms because the audio may use different words than the questions. With steady practice, you will see your scores go up.

How to get 9.0 in IELTS listening?

A band 9.0 in listening means you get almost all answers right, like 39 or 40 out of 40. To reach this, follow these IELTS listening tips:

• Practice with hard audios on topics like science or history to build your knowledge.
• Use practice books or online tests from official sites.
• Work on your focus. The audio plays only once, so stay sharp.
• Predict answers based on questions. For example, if it asks for a number, listen for dates or prices.
• Check spelling and grammar in your answers, as small mistakes can cost points.
• Join study groups to share tips. With hard work, band 9.0 is possible.

What is the trick for listening in IELTS?

There is no one magic trick, but here are some useful IELTS listening tips:

• Multitask: Read questions, listen, and write at the same time.
• Before the audio, scan for keywords and guess answer types like name or number.
• Follow the audio flow. Questions come in order, so if you miss one, move on fast. Don't panic.
• Practice with distractions to build focus.
• Listen for signal words like "however" or "next" that show changes.

These small tricks make a big difference in your score.

What is 27 out of 40 in IELTS listening?

In IELTS listening, scores convert to bands. A raw score of 27 out of 40 is band 6.5. This means good skills, but room to grow. To improve from here, use the IELTS listening tips we talked about, like more practice and keyword spotting.

For a full view, here is the IELTS listening band score conversion table:

Are there tricks for the IELTS Speaking test?

Yes, there are helpful tricks for speaking. Here they are:

• Stay calm and smile to feel relaxed.
• Answer fully to show your skills.
• Use linking words like "because" or "for example" to connect ideas.
• Paraphrase questions in your answer to show understanding.
• Practice common topics like travel or hobbies.
• Don't memorize; speak naturally.

These tricks help you sound fluent and confident.

How to Get a High Score in IELTS Speaking?

For a high score like 8 or more, build vocabulary on everyday topics. Here are more tips:

• Use idioms sometimes, but not too many.
• Focus on fluency: speak without long pauses.
• Practice all three parts. In part 1, give short but full answers. In part 3, discuss ideas deeply.
• Record and compare to band 9 samples online.
• Get used to the examiner's style. With these steps, high scores come easier.

What is 30 Out of 40 in IELTS Speaking?

IELTS speaking is not scored out of 40 like listening. It uses band scores from 0 to 9 based on fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. If you mean listening, 30 out of 40 is band 7.0 (see the table above). This is a solid score. For speaking, aim for balance in all areas to hit band 7 or higher.

In conclusion, these IELTS listening tips and speaking practices can help you reach your goals. Keep practicing, stay positive, and take mock tests. Good luck with your IELTS!

How can I Get 8.5 in IELTS Dpeaking?

Moving to speaking, band 8.5 shows you speak well with few errors. To get this, practice talking every day. Here are some steps:

• Record yourself answering common questions and listen back to fix mistakes.
• Use a mix of simple and complex sentences to show your grammar skills.
• Expand your answers. Don't just say yes or no; give reasons and examples.
• For part 2, the long turn, prepare cues like who, what, where, and why. Practice with a timer to speak for 1-2 minutes.
• Focus on clear pronunciation and natural speed.
• Get feedback from a teacher or friend. This helps you reach 8.5.

Conclusion

Mastering Listening and Speaking is essential for achieving a high IELTS band score. To perform well, you need to develop both accuracy and confidence through regular, focused practice. Start by listening to a variety of English accents — British, American, Australian, and Canadian — to get comfortable with different tones and speech patterns that often appear in the IELTS test. For the IELTS Speaking section, practice speaking clearly and naturally, focusing on pronunciation, intonation, and coherence. Using IELTS listening and speaking practice tips such as summarizing audio clips or answering common speaking questions, can significantly improve your fluency and comprehension. Consistent effort with these strategies not only enhances your communication skills but also increases your chances of securing a band 7.5 or above in IELTS with confidence.

FAQs

Ques: Why are Listening and Speaking important for IELTS?

Ans: These modules test your real-world communication skills—understanding spoken English and interacting confidently. They are necessary skills for success in study, work, or immigration in a foreign country.

Ques: How can I improve my IELTS Listening comprehension?

Ans: Listen to diverse English podcasts or news from sources like BBC or CNN. This helps you quickly get used to different accents (British, American, Australian) and voices.

Ques:  What's the key strategy for IELTS Listening questions?

Ans: Read the questions first and underline keywords before the audio starts. This way, you know what specific information to listen for and helps you spot the answers.

Ques: What simple "trick" helps with IELTS Listening focus?

Ans: Practice multitasking: simultaneously read questions, listen to the audio, and write your notes. Also, follow the audio flow; questions always come in order.

Ques:  How should I practice for a high band in Speaking?

Ans: Record yourself answering common questions and listen back to find errors. Use a structured method (like the PPF method) to organize your thoughts and answers well.

Ques:  What is the goal of practicing with full mock tests?

Ans: Practicing under real exam time limits reduces test anxiety and improves your pacing and accuracy. Regularly checking results shows where you need to focus next.

Ques: How can I expand my vocabulary for both sections?

Ans: Regularly learn new words focused on common IELTS topics (e.g., travel, education, technology). This helps you have a broader expressive ability and increases your score.

Ques: What helps most with fluency in the Speaking test?

Ans: Focus on speaking without long, unnatural pauses and use linking words (e.g., however, for example) to connect your ideas. Avoid memorizing answers to sound natural.

Ques: How can I aim for a band 9.0 in IELTS Listening?

Ans: To score nearly 40 out of 40, work on hard audios (science, history topics) and practice predicting answers. Check spelling and grammar carefully; small mistakes cost points.

Ques:  What is a key step to get band 8.5 in IELTS Speaking?

Ans: Beyond fluency, focus on using a mix of simple and complex sentences to show good grammar. Always expand your answers with reasons and specific examples.

About the Author

I am Ajit Kumar Dubey, an experienced Senior Content Writer cum Sub-Editor with over 3 years of experience in content writing and an overall 5 years of professional experience. I specialize in producing SEO-friendly academic content, including blogs, articles, coursework, and web copy, that make complex academic concepts easier to understand for both students and educators.

As a Senior Content Writer, I ensure that every piece of content is well-researched, accurate, engaging, and aligned with editorial and SEO standards. I am deeply passionate about creating content that helps learners make informed decisions about their career paths. My ultimate goal is to craft and refine insightful, high-quality articles that leave a lasting impression on readers who value learning, growth, and academic excellence.