Speaking Part 2 Tips: Fluency and Coherence
Master the techniques that’ll help you speak naturally and organize your thoughts during the IELTS Speaking Part 2 task
Why Part 2 Matters
Speaking Part 2 is where you really get to show off your English. You’ve got 1 minute to prepare and then 2 minutes to talk about a topic you’ve never seen before. Sounds tough? It is — but it’s also incredibly fair. You’re not competing against other test-takers. You’re just showing the examiner what you can do when you’re given a bit of time to think.
The thing is, most people stumble here because they’re trying to sound too formal or they’re worried about making mistakes. But examiners aren’t looking for perfect English. They’re looking for fluency — meaning you can speak smoothly without too many pauses — and coherence — meaning your ideas connect logically. Get these two things right, and you’ll be in a strong position.
What Examiners Score
- Fluency and Coherence (25% of your score)
- Lexical Resource (vocabulary)
- Grammatical Accuracy
- Pronunciation
Understanding Fluency: Speaking Without the Hesitation
Fluency isn’t about speaking fast. It’s about speaking smoothly. You know when someone’s really fluent? They don’t pause constantly to think of the next word. They might have one or two natural pauses, but the speech flows.
Here’s what actually happens with fluency: your brain is working ahead. While you’re saying one sentence, you’re already thinking about the next one. That’s why preparation matters so much in Part 2. During that 1-minute prep time, you’re not writing out every sentence word-for-word. Instead, you’re creating a mental outline — key points, maybe some connecting phrases.
The Band 7+ speakers we see? They use connector phrases naturally. Phrases like “What’s interesting about this is…” or “I’d say the main reason…” These aren’t fillers — they’re genuine thinking-out-loud moments that let your brain catch up.
Coherence: Making Your Ideas Connect
Coherence is about logical organization. Your ideas need to flow in a way that makes sense. It’s not enough to say true things — you need to say them in an order that helps the listener follow you.
Think about it this way. If someone asks you to describe your favorite place, you could start with “The beach is near my house” and then jump to “I love the sunset there” and then back to “The sand is really soft.” That’s technically correct, but it’s all over the place. Better approach? Start with what it is, then where it is, then what you do there, then why you love it.
We recommend using linking phrases throughout. Not in every sentence — that’s overkill — but strategically. Phrases like “First of all…”, “In addition to that…”, “What I mean is…”, “That’s why…” These show the examiner that you’re in control of your message.
Practical Techniques: What Works in Real Time
The Pause-and-Think Method
During your 1-minute prep time, write down 4-5 key points. Don’t write sentences. Write single words or short phrases. “Beach — relaxing — sunset — friends — peaceful.” That’s enough. Now when you’re speaking, hit those points in order. If you get stuck between points? Use a thinking phrase: “Let me think about that…” or “That’s a good question…” It’s honest and it’s natural.
The Details Strategy
Most test-takers make their answers too general. “I like playing football because it’s fun.” That’s only 10 seconds. Instead, add specific details. “I’ve been playing football since I was about 8 years old, and I usually play with my university team on Wednesday evenings. What I really enjoy is the teamwork aspect — you can’t win alone.” That’s genuine, specific, and gets you to that 2-minute mark naturally.
Key Techniques to Build Both Fluency and Coherence
Use Fillers Strategically
Natural fillers like “you know,” “I mean,” and “sort of” are fine in moderation. They’re what native speakers use. Just don’t say “um” or “uh” too much — that suggests you’re struggling.
Prepare Topic-Specific Vocabulary
If the topic is about food, know words like “flavors,” “texture,” “seasoning,” “appetizing.” This reduces the pauses where you’re searching for words. You’ve got the vocabulary ready to go.
Link Your Ideas Explicitly
Use transition words: “because,” “as a result,” “furthermore,” “on the other hand.” These make your speech coherent. The examiner can follow your logic easily.
Practice the 2-Minute Timing
Two minutes feels longer than you think. Practice speaking for exactly 2 minutes on different topics. You’ll develop a natural sense of pacing and know how much detail to include.
Record Yourself Speaking
This is uncomfortable but incredibly effective. Listen back and count how many times you pause, repeat yourself, or say “um.” You’ll hear exactly where you need to improve.
Speak About What You Know
If the topic is about hobbies and you love cooking, you’ll naturally be more fluent because you have genuine things to say. The prep time helps you steer towards what you know.
“The best speakers aren’t the ones with perfect grammar. They’re the ones who can organize their thoughts quickly and explain them clearly. That’s what fluency and coherence are really about.”
— IELTS Speaking Examiner, Cambridge
Your Action Plan
Here’s what you should do this week. First, take 5 minutes and pick any IELTS Part 2 topic — doesn’t matter which one. Write down 4-5 key points in 60 seconds, then speak for exactly 2 minutes. Record it. Listen back. Notice where you pause, where you could add more detail, where you could use better connecting phrases.
Do this 2-3 times this week with different topics. You’ll start to feel more comfortable. The patterns will emerge. You’ll develop a rhythm. And honestly? That’s when fluency and coherence stop being something you’re thinking about and start being something you’re just doing naturally.
Part 2 is where you prove you can think on your feet in English. You’ve got the time to prepare. You’ve got the techniques to organize your thoughts. Now it’s just about practicing until it feels natural. You’ve got this.
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Important Notice
This article provides educational information about IELTS Speaking Part 2 and is intended to help you understand the exam requirements and develop your speaking skills. Individual results may vary based on your current English level, practice frequency, and learning pace. IELTS is administered by Cambridge Assessment English, British Council, and IDP Australia. For official exam information and registration, please visit the official IELTS website.