IELTS Online Tips: How to use the Chunking Method in Speaking test

The IELTS General Training is an English language assessment test designed for those non-native English speakers who want to pursue their profession to an English speaking country. If you are interested to take this language proficiency test, enrolling in an IELTS online review is the best thing that you need to do to begin your IELTS journey.

One of the components of the IELTS General Training test is the speaking test. This IELTS sub-test consists of three tasks. The first task consists of general questions about you. In the second task, the examiner gives you a card indicating a specific topic that you need to discuss. The last part is you will have another chance to elaborate your answers in the second part of the test by explaining abstract ideas and information about the topic. One practical speaking strategy that can help improve your speaking skills is using the chunking method.

What is Chunking?

Chunking is a speaking method that involves grouping words into smaller chunks of information and adding pauses or changing the tone while speaking. This speaking method gives variety to your speaking voice and makes you more engaging. Moreover, chunking also helps your listeners to understand your speech. Using this speaking method can help boost your public speaking skills and ace the IELTS examination. To guide you on how to use chunking in your speeches, check out this three easy steps:

      1.   Know when to pause

Pausing enables you to construct your thoughts properly. When you chunk speeches, pausing plays an important role as it gives you the ability to break down information into smaller chunks.

For example:  JRooz Online Review / tailor fits each IELTS review online package, / such as IELTS academic review package /and IELTS general review package, / to cater to the learning demands / of every student.

In this example, each chunk is separated by a pause (signified by “/”). Take note that each pause is placed on punctuation marks, conjunctions or at the end of an idea.

      2.   Clarify key points

When thinking of the answers during your speaking test, make sure that you indicate essential key points in your answers to help the examiner identify your main points easily.

For example:  JRooz Online Review / tailor fits each IELTS review online package, / such as IELTS academicreview package /and general training review package, / to cater to the learning demands / of every student.

In this example, you will notice that each chunk consists of a key point that is underlined. These are the words that you need to put stress to emphasize their importance in your speech. 

      3.   Beware of your pace

When you are speaking, pacing plays a vital role as it helps you control when to slow down or to speed up while talking. To apply this in chunking, you must vary the pace of the key points from the other words in your speech. 

Follow these practical steps to master the chunking method and ace the speaking test. For more tips and strategies, subscribe to our blog now!

REFERENCES:

32BJTrainingFund. "Improve Your Presentation Skills: Learn How Thought Chunking can help you with public speaking." YouTube. February 19, 2014. Accessed March 12, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ag0XbWfrPQ.

Martinez, Danielle. "How to Speak More Fluent English with Thought Chunking." Go Natural English. March 05, 2018. Accessed March 9, 2018. https://gonaturalenglish.com/speak-fluent-english-thought-chunking/.

"Pausing and Chunking." University of Technology Sydney. Accessed March 9, 2018. https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/helps/self-help-resources/pronunciation/pausing-and-chunking.

Windingland, Diane. “Never Forget Another Speech: Speech Memorization Techniques.” Virtual Speech Coach. Accessed March 9, 2018. http://www.virtualspeechcoach.com/tag/chunking/.