Use these techniques to make your speech more coherent and improve your Speaking score
In this post, I will cover some aspects of coherence, which makes up one half of the Fluency and Coherence criterion for speaking.
Even though a candidate may be reasonably fluent and able to keep speaking comfortably at a natural speed without hesitation or much self-correction, they may still fail to achieve a 7.0 for Fluency and Coherence due to shortcomings in the area of coherence.
Coherence refers to your ability to smoothly link ideas together so that you logically develop your answer in a way that makes it easy for the listener to follow what you say and understand your attitude to a topic.
I find that there are two common reasons why speakers fall down in this regard.
The first is irrelevance, which is often the result of trying to answer the questions in a rehearsed manner using memorized formulaic structures. For example:
EXAMINER: Is it better for young people to go directly from high school to university or spend a year working and travelling?
CANDIDATE: It depends. For some people, it is better to go directly to university. But for other people, it is better to work and travel for a year. It depends on their interest and personal circumstances.
This kind of standardized response fails to develop the topic or say anything of much significance. The speaker hasn’t really addressed the question, considered the pros and cons of each option, or expressed an opinion. You might be able to get away with it once. But do it two or three times, and the examiner will immediately recognize your speech as rehearsed and you risk being penalized for irrelevance or failure to develop your response.
The second reason why some fluent speakers fail to achieve a 7.0 for Fluency and Coherence is that they use only a narrow range of connectives and discourse markers.
Connectives and discourse markers are words such as:
For example, . . .
In other words, . . .
I would say that, . . .
Another thing I would like to add is . . .
Generally speaking, . . . .
On the other hand, . . .
Etc.
These words function as transitions from one sentence to the next and act as signposts for what is to come
Let’s look at what the descriptors say about connectives and discourse markers.
At band 5 the speaker "may over-use certain connectives and discourse markers".
Typically, speakers at this level rely heavily on words like 'and' and 'so'. Or they may have a favorite expression such as 'To be honest . . .' which they use repeatedly throughout the interview.
At band 6 he/she "uses a range of connectives and discourse markers but not always appropriately". For example:
EXAMINER: Where do you usually like to go to read?
CANDIDATE: Firstly, I like to read in the campus library. Secondly, I like to read in my neighborhood Starbucks coffee shop. Last but not least, I like to read in the toilet.
Highly structured responses such as this are inappropriate and unnatural. It will not help you get a 7.0. And if you rely on this kind of mechanical structure frequently in the interview it will pull you down to 5 for fluency and coherence.
At band 7 the speaker “uses a range of connectives and discourse markers with some flexibility
Obviously then, if you want to get a 7 for Fluency and Coherence, you will need to use a variety of discourse markers and use them appropriately and flexibly.
Here are few good ones. You may think they are rather common, but the key is using them flexibly and in the right way
Discourse markers to give yourself pause before starting to address a topic.
Right.
OK (then) . . .
So.
You can even string them together.
OK. So, . . .
Clarifying something that you just said
Taxis are rather expensive. What I mean is, they are expensive for people who can’t afford to buy their own car, but they are ones who are more likely to use taxis.
Emphasizing an important point.
The thing is, healthy food is more expensive than unhealthy food. That’s why so many people eat junk food.
Returning to a topic
If a topic that you already spoke about in Part 1 comes up again in Part 3, you can use ‘As I was saying’
Customer service is really important. But as I was saying earlier when talking about my job, you can’t expect employees to provide good service unless they are trained.
Being indirect or vague
Perhaps
Apparently
. . .like, . . .
'Like' is a good colloquial one provided you don't overuse it (as many native-speakers do) .For example:
I was, like, super-excited when I saw my favourite K-pop band perform live in Taipei.
Some people hate it. They think it sound like inarticulate speech of teenage girls. That's actually true, but it's also very characteristic of native speaker speech.
Responses
These expressions are good to introducing your agreement.
Yeah, sure.
Absolutely.
Giving your opinion
In my opinion,
To be honest,
Frankly speaking,
As far as I'm concerned
To learn more about the subtle differences between these expressions see here.
Expressing your attitude towards the thing that you are talking about
Obviously, . . .
Naturally, . . .
Ideally, . . .
Thankfully, . . .
Seriously, . . .
There are many many more. There are also many places on the internet where you can find long lists. The good news is that you will, I'm sure, already know most of them. What you need to do is practice using them. There are lots of questions here on this website that can use for practice.
