A Comparison of CELPIP and IELTS Speaking Sections
In my opinion, of the four skills tested, the speaking section is where the biggest difference between CELPIP and IELTS is seen. The IELTS speaking test is more about HOW you speak—your fluency, pronunciation, coherence, and ability to use a wide range of vocabulary and grammar naturally in conversation. CELPIP, on the other hand, focuses more on WHAT you are able to say—your ability to produce relevant, complete, and organized responses to practical, everyday situations.
IELTS Speaking
- Format: A live, face-to-face interview with an examiner.
- Structure: Three parts.
○ Part 1: Short questions about familiar topics (home, work, hobbies).
○ Part 2: A long turn (you speak for 1–2 minutes on a given topic after 1 minute of preparation).
○ Part 3: A more in-depth discussion on abstract ideas related to Part 2.
- Focus: Natural communication, accuracy, fluency, and range of language.
- Strength: It feels like a real conversation, giving candidates the chance to show off interactional skills.
- Challenge: Success depends heavily on speaking style—pauses, hesitation, or limited vocabulary range can lower the score, even if the content is acceptable.
CELPIP Speaking
- Format: Computer-delivered; you speak into a microphone with no human examiner present.
- Structure: Eight tasks, each with preparation and speaking time.
○ Tasks include giving advice, describing a scene, making predictions, dealing with problems, and expressing opinions.
- Focus: Content, organization, and clarity of ideas. Examiners (called Raters) are looking for whether you can respond appropriately, provide enough detail, and use clear, functional language.
- Strength: More predictable structure; you know the task types in advance.
- Challenge: Can feel artificial—speaking to a computer rather than a person. Timing is strict, so candidates must think and speak quickly.
Key Differences
- Human vs. Computer: IELTS is a real interview; CELPIP is recorded.
- Evaluation Emphasis: IELTS rewards natural delivery and conversational flow; CELPIP rewards completeness, clarity, and relevance of ideas.
- Content vs. Delivery: IELTS emphasizes how you say things; CELPIP emphasizes what you say.
- Task Types: IELTS tasks are broad and conversation-like, while CELPIP tasks are structured and practical.
- Candidate Experience: IELTS may feel more stressful because of the live examiner, but more natural; CELPIP may feel less personal but more controlled and predictable.
Ultimately, the choice between CELPIP and IELTS speaking depends on each student’s particular skillset. A student who is confident in holding natural conversations, can think on their feet, and has strong pronunciation and fluency may feel more comfortable with IELTS. On the other hand, a student who prefers clear, structured tasks and is good at organizing ideas within strict time limits may perform better on CELPIP. Knowing your strengths—whether they lie more in how you speak or what you can say—can make all the difference in deciding which test is the better fit.
Written by Larry Fedorowick
