Ielts speaking strategies

To be honest , I’m not really keen on reading books. Unfortunately , I’m in university and my professor requires a lot of reading.
So I just answer the question and I use two fluency markers. It’s really helpful to
make your speaking become more organized.

3. 
   Actually/ In fact /As a matter of fact: We use these words to add details .
   

Example: Do you enjoy reading?
To be honest , I don’t like to read very much. Unfortunately , I’m in university right now, and my professor gives me a lot of reading assignments. In fact , tonight I will have to read about 40 pages…
Ok. That works. Again, you should use all these fluency markers in a combination because that will help you get a better speaking score.
Actually: This can be used as a softening phrase. If I ask my girlfriend “baby, do you love me?” she says “actually, you are not handsome, so I don’t love you.”

4. 
   However/ but : these words are used to signal a different idea or opinion . That could be a difference between now and in the past ; or a difference between now and the future .
   

Example 1: Do you enjoy traveling?
Well, I love traveling. Unfortunately , I’m quite busy right now, so I haven’t had a chance to go anywhere, but I’m planning to travel to Thailand during Tet holiday
Example 2: Going to the beach is a lot of fun. However , I would rather explore a big city.

5. 
   I suppose /I guess : These words are used to indicate a speculation . Speculation basically means a guess .
   

When you answer the question by using phrases “I suppose or I guess” , what you are showing the listener is that you do not know the exact answer , but you are trying very hard to give the best guess .
Example 1: What’s the population of Ho Chi Minh City?
You can say something like: that’s a good question, I really don’t know, but I guess/suppose it’s about ten million people.
Example 2: What’s the best university in the United States?
You can say something like: I suppose it’s the Harvard University.

6. 
   Supposedly/ supposed to be: These words are called stereotype language . What is a stereotype ?
   

A stereotype is something that you have heard is true , but you do not know because you have not experienced it .
Example: There are a lot of guns, violence in America.
If you have never been to America, you should not say “America is a violent country ” because you have never been there. Instead, you should say: America is supposed to be a very violent country.
Or: some people say that living in New York is very enjoyable.

7. I've heard (that) / some people say (that)

Use to express what you have heard to be true , but do not know by yourself, because you have not experienced it .
Vietnamese food is supposed to be delicious. I've heard (that) Vietnamese food is delicious.

TIME AND FREQUENCY EXPRESSIONS

1. 
   Nowadays/ these days: We use these words for current actions and habits . Example: Do you enjoy watching television?
   

Yes, I love watching television. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of free time. Nowadays , I am doing a lot of studying at the university and I don’t have a chance to watch my favorite programs.
Or: …. .Nowadays , I often watch cartoons. I especially like Tom & Jerry.

2. 
   Used to + Verb : We use this structure to talk about past actions and habits .
   

I used to go swimming with my friends. I used to yell at my coworkers.

3. 
   When I was X : we use this structure to talk about past actions and habits .
   

When I was a university student , I used to meet my friends for coffee every morning before class.
I used to go to the library when I was in high school . I used to cook for my brother when I was a teenager .

4. 
   Adverbs of Frequency: We use adverbs of frequency Never... Seldom/ rarely/
   

hardly ever... Sometimes... Often/ Frequently/ Nearly always ...Usually/ typically/ normally... Always to tell how often something is done
I never feel bored when I talk with him.
I seldom/rarely/hardly ever go swimming on Sunday morning . I often go to the university canteen to eat with my friends.
I usually go to bed by 1 p.m.

5. 
   Adverbs of Infrequency: Every once in a while / Every so often / Every now and then / Every now and again. Use in place of "sometimes and seldom"
   

Every once in a while I play sports on the weekend.
I play golf every so often .
Every now and then we stay in bed all day and watch cartoons.

6. 
   Concession and contrast : something is true ; however, something else is true We use this a lot. This is a massively useful structure because we use this structure a lot for part 1, part 2, part 3 speaking and task 2 writing.
   

Is watching TV popular in your country?
Teenagers and little children really enjoy watching television. However, the elderly prefer reading the newspaper.
Do you like food from other countries?
Well, food from other places is very delicious. However, I prefer eating food from Vietnam.

ADVERBIALS FOR GIVING OPINIONS

1. 
   Personally: you are only giving your own opinion about something.
   

Personally , I don’t think organized social events are very important.

2.