IELTS Speaking Practice [International Education]

This practice set covers all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test, focusing on international education and exchange programs.

Part 1 takes approximately 4-5 minutes, Part 2 lasts 3-4 minutes, and Part 3 is about 4-5 minutes long.

Part 1: Interview-style questions (4-5 minutes)

1. Have you ever studied in another country?
2. Would you like to study abroad in the future? Why or why not?
3. Do you think studying abroad is popular in your country?
4. What do you think are the benefits of studying in a foreign country?
5. Are there any disadvantages to studying abroad?
6. Do you know anyone who has participated in an exchange program?
7. How do you think technology has changed international education?
8. What skills do you think are important for students studying abroad?

Note: The examiner may ask follow-up questions based on your responses.

Part 2: Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)

You will have 1 minute to prepare your response, then you should speak for 1-2 minutes on the following topic:

Describe an exchange program or study abroad experience you know about.

You should say:

• What the program involved
• Where it took place
• Who participated in it
• And explain why you think it was a valuable experience

Part 3: Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)

1. How do you think international education programs contribute to global understanding?
2. What challenges might students face when adapting to a foreign education system?
3. In what ways can governments encourage more students to participate in exchange programs?
4. How might international education impact the job market in both host and home countries?
5. Do you think there’s a risk of “brain drain” from developing countries due to international education? Why or why not?
6. How can universities ensure that international students are fully integrated into campus life?
7. What role do you think international education will play in shaping future global leaders?

Sample answer outlines:

Part 1

You can provide brief, personal responses with some elaboration.

For example: “Yes, I studied in the USA for a semester. It was challenging but rewarding because…”

Part 2

You need to structure your response to cover all points:

• Introduction: Briefly introduce the program
• Main points: You should describe what it involved, where it took place, and who participated
• Conclusion: Explain why it was valuable

Part 3

You should offer more complex answers showing critical thinking.

For example: “International education contributes to global understanding by exposing students to diverse perspectives. This can lead to…”

We encourage you to practice all three parts, ideally with a study partner.

Sample high-scoring responses will be provided in a reply.

Please share your practice responses in the comments.

For more speaking practice tests, you can visit Culture and Sociology.