Things to Avoid While Speaking
1. Speaking Too Fast
When you speak too quickly, your words become unclear and difficult to understand. Listeners may miss key points, and it shows nervousness or lack of control.
Tip: Slow down your pace slightly and include short pauses between sentences. This helps you sound confident and gives the listener time to absorb your message.
2. Using Filler Words
Common fillers like “uh,” “um,” “like,” “you know,” or “actually” often appear when you are thinking of what to say next. Overusing them breaks the flow of your speech and makes you appear unprepared.
Tip: Practice silent pauses instead. It’s perfectly fine to pause for a second while you gather your thoughts.
3. Repetition of Words or Ideas
Repeating the same phrases (like “I think,” “It’s good,” “It’s nice”) or the same point several times can make your speech boring and weak.
Tip: Use a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures. Instead of saying “good” repeatedly, use alternatives like “wonderful,” “impressive,” or “beneficial.”
4. Using Slang or Informal Language
Slang expressions such as “gonna,” “wanna,” or “cool” might be fine with friends but are not appropriate in formal speaking tests or interviews.
Tip: Always use standard English. For example, say “going to” instead of “gonna,” and “yes” instead of “yeah.”
5. Giving Short or One-Word Answers
Answering with just “yes,” “no,” or one short sentence doesn’t demonstrate your language ability. It also makes the conversation dull.
Tip: Expand your answers with reasons or examples.
Example:
Question: “Do you like reading?”
Weak answer: “Yes.”
Better answer: “Yes, I really enjoy reading novels, especially mystery stories. They help me relax and improve my imagination.”
Things to Avoid While Speaking
6. Speaking in a Monotone
A flat or emotionless tone makes your speech sound robotic. Listeners may lose interest quickly.
Tip: Use variations in your tone and pitch to express feelings, enthusiasm, or surprise naturally.
7. Incorrect Grammar or Tense Use
Frequent grammatical mistakes can confuse your listener and reduce your speaking score in IELTS. For example, using the wrong tense (“Yesterday I go to the market”) shows inaccuracy.
Tip: Practice common grammar patterns, especially verb tenses, prepositions, and sentence connectors.
8. Lack of Eye Contact
In face-to-face speaking situations, avoiding eye contact makes you seem nervous or disinterested. It also weakens your connection with the listener.
Tip: Maintain natural and friendly eye contact. It shows confidence and sincerity.
9. Memorized Answers
In tests like IELTS, examiners can easily tell if you’ve memorized your responses. Memorized answers sound unnatural and limit your flexibility.
Tip: Understand key ideas and speak naturally. Practice expressing your thoughts in your own words rather than memorizing full answers.
10. Negative Body Language
Your body language communicates your attitude. Crossing arms, fidgeting, or slouching can give a poor impression even if your words are good.
Tip: Sit or stand straight, smile when appropriate, and use light hand gestures to support your message.
Final Tip
Good speaking is not only about vocabulary — it’s about clarity, confidence, and connection with your listener. Avoiding these mistakes will help you sound natural, fluent, and professional.
Things to Avoid While Speaking