Lesson 1: Diagnostic & How Speaking Is Scored
you know exactly which of the four criteria is dragging your band down, so every future lesson is aimed at the right target.
Why this matters
IELTS Speaking is not one score — it is the average of four equally-weighted criteria, so a 7.0 overall needs roughly a 7 in each one and a single weak criterion quietly pulls the whole band down. Today you find your weak link, because you cannot fix what you have not measured.
The Tip/Trick
Score yourself like an examiner, not like a friend. Most learners listen to their recording once, think "that wasn't great," and move on — which teaches them nothing. Instead, listen four times, once per criterion, asking one question each pass: (1) Did I keep going smoothly? (2) Did I use precise, varied words? (3) Did I use correct, varied grammar? (4) Could every word be understood?
- Before (vague): "My speaking is bad, I need to practise more." → no direction, no progress.
- After (diagnostic): "Fluency 6, Vocabulary 5, Grammar 5, Pronunciation 6 → my weakest is Vocabulary and Grammar, so I'll push collocations and complex sentences first." → every lesson now has a purpose.
Grammar Focus — Present simple vs present continuous
Rule (plain English): use the present simple for facts, jobs and routines (things generally true); use the present continuous (am/is/are + -ing) for things happening now or temporary situations. Vietnamese has no verb-ending change, so learners often say "I study IELTS now" when they mean a temporary action. Reference: the "Present simple vs present continuous" section.
Three examples on today's topic (introducing yourself):
- "I work as a graphic designer, but right now I 'm taking a break to focus on English." (fact + temporary)
- "I live in Da Nang, though I 'm staying with my cousin in Hanoi this month." (permanent + temporary)
- "I usually speak Vietnamese at home, but these days I 'm practising English every evening." (habit + current temporary)
Vocabulary Cluster — Self-introduction & personal info
Add these to under "Self-introduction & personal info". Use phrases, not isolated words.
- to be originally from — where you were born/grew up — "I'm originally from a small town near Hue."
- to be based in — where you live/work now — "I'm currently based in Ho Chi Minh City."
- a people person — someone who enjoys others' company — "I'd describe myself as a people person."
- to pursue a career in — to work towards a profession — "I'm hoping to pursue a career in marketing."
- in my spare time — free time — "In my spare time, I unwind by cooking."
- a creature of habit — someone who likes routine — "I'm a bit of a creature of habit, to be honest."
- to get into (something) — to start enjoying a hobby — "I've recently got into photography."
- outgoing / easy-going — sociable / relaxed — "I'm fairly outgoing and easy-going."
Drill these as flashcards — flip, then grade yourself.
Answer Outline
A reusable self-introduction skeleton (use it for the diagnostic recording):
- Name + origin: "My name's ____ and I'm originally from ____."
- Current situation: "At the moment, I ____ (work/study) as ____."
- A personal detail: "I'd describe myself as ____ because ____."
- Free time: "In my spare time, I usually ____, and recently I've got into ____."
- Goal: "The reason I'm aiming for a 7.0 is ____."
Model Answers: 5.0 vs 7.0
Question: Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Band 5.0 answer: "My name is Linh. I from Hai Phong. Now I am student. I study economic. In free time I watch movie and sleep. I want 7.0 because I need for university. Yeah."
Band 7.0 answer: "Sure. My name's Linh and I'm originally from Hai Phong, a port city in the north. At the moment I'm a final-year economics student, though I'm also doing a part-time internship to get some real experience. I'd describe myself as fairly easy-going and a bit of a people person. In my spare time I unwind by watching films, and recently I've got into hiking at the weekends. The reason I'm aiming for a 7.0 is that I'd like to pursue a master's degree abroad, which usually requires that band."
What changed:
- Paraphrase / detail: "from Hai Phong" → "originally from Hai Phong, a port city in the north" (adds specific, natural detail).
- Complex clause: "though I'm also doing… to get some real experience" (subordinate clause + purpose).
- Collocation: "pursue a master's degree," "a people person," "get into hiking."
- Example: "recently I've got into hiking at the weekends" (concrete, not generic).
- Linker: "The reason I'm aiming for a 7.0 is that…" (signals purpose clearly).
- Dropping the verb "to be" + articles: "I student," "I from Hai Phong" → say "I**'m** a student," "I**'m** from Hai Phong." English needs the linking verb and the article. (More on articles in Lesson 07.)
- Dropping final consonants and -s endings: "studen(t)," "movies" said as "movie." This blurs words and is heard as a grammar error too — sections 1–2. Say the final /t/, /s/, /z/.
- Over-using "yeah" and trailing off: ending answers with "…yeah" or silence reads as low fluency. End on a complete idea instead.
Your Turn (Record)
Task: Record a 2-minute self-introduction on your phone, answering: (1) your name and where you're from, (2) what you do, (3) what you do in your free time, (4) why you want a 7.0. Speak naturally — do not script or stop to fix mistakes. Then transcribe it (phone voice-to-text or type it out, keeping every "umm").
⏱ Recording 2 min · transcribing ~5 min.
Your turn — record & get scored
Part 1- Speak for 1–2 minutes practising this lesson’s skill.
Self-Check + Spaced Review
Done when:
- I recorded a 2-minute self-intro and transcribed it.
- I read all four criteria and can name one thing that separates a 6 from a 7 in each.
- I ran the Diagnostic prompt and got four band scores.
- I wrote my four starting scores into (Starting Point table).
- I ticked my weakest criterion and wrote it under "My #1 focus criterion."
Spaced review: n/a — this is the first lesson. (From Lesson 02 onwards you'll recycle earlier vocabulary and grammar here.)