IELTS Speaking: two types of hesitation

If you look at the 'fluency and coherence' column of the band descriptors, you'll see the following:

• Band 7: may demonstrate language-related hesitation
• Band 8: hesitation is usually content-related

Do you understand the difference between these two types of hesitation? Here's how I would summarise them:

• Language-related hesitation: the candidate pauses because he/she is struggling with vocabulary or grammar.
• Content-related hesitation: the candidate pauses to think about his/her answer to the question.

Tip: Try recording yourself as you answer some IELTS speaking questions. Listen to the recording and pay attention to your hesitations. Ask yourself whether you paused to find language or to consider your response to the question.

Comments

[bahar]

Dear Simon, could you explain about the changes that have been made recently to listening test?
Thanks

[Crystal]

Hi Simon,

I’m curious about how examiners would know whether it’s a language-related or content-related hesitation. Could you give examples for both? Thanks

[sjm]

Crystal. The difference is very clear to native speakers. Pausing for language almost always occurs in an 'unnatural' place, such as the middle of an idea. Pausing for content almost always happens before an idea. Also, high level speakers will almost always say something while pausing for content to indicate they are thinking, such as 'well' or 'you know' or 'let me see...'.

[Simon]

bahar,

There are 3 tiny changes. You can read about the on the official IELTS site here:

https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/test-format

.....

Crystal,

Sjm’s answer is perfect, so there’s nothing for me to add!