Master the CELPIP Speaking Test: Simple Guide for All 8 Tasks

Are you nervous about the CELPIP Speaking test? You are not alone. Many students tell us this is the hardest part of the exam.

The good news:
CELPIP Speaking is very predictable. If you know the 8 tasks and you follow a clear structure, you can feel calm and speak with confidence.

This guide explains:

• What happens in the CELPIP Speaking test

• What the examiners want

• Simple strategies for all 8 tasks

• A practice plan you can follow at home

• Potential support

1. What is the CELPIP Speaking Test?

CELPIP Speaking is a computer test. You do not talk to a real person. You:

• Sit at a computer

• Wear a headset with a microphone

• Read or listen to a question on the screen

• Speak your answer into the microphone

The test is about 15–20 minutes.

There are:

• 1 practice question (not scored)

• 8 real tasks (all scored)

The 8 tasks

Here is what you’ll face for CELPIP Speaking:

1. Giving Advice

2. Talking about a Personal Experience

3. Describing a Scene

4. Making Predictions

5. Comparing and Persuading

6. Dealing with a Difficult Situation

7. Expressing Opinions

8. Describing an Unusual Situation

You usually have 30–60 seconds to prepare and 60–90 seconds to speak, depending on the task.

CELPIP Speaking’s 8 Tasks

2. How Is Your Speaking Score Decided?

Examiners listen to all your answers together and give one speaking score (0–12).

They check four main things: 

1. Content & Coherence

• Do you answer the question?

• Are your ideas clear and well-organized?

• Do you give examples?
  

2. Vocabulary

• Do you use a good range of words?

• Do you choose the right word for the situation?
  

3. Listenability (Fluency + Pronunciation + Grammar)

• Do you speak clearly and at a natural speed?

• Are your sentences mostly correct and easy to follow?
  

4. Task Fulfilment

• Do you do what the task asks (give advice, compare, tell a story, etc.)?

💡 Important note:

You do not need “perfect” English. You need clear ideas + simple structure + mostly correct language.

3. 5 Big Skills to Improve Your CELPIP Speaking

These come from official CELPIP performance standards and teacher experience.

1) Know the 8 task types

If you know what is coming, you feel less stress.

Practice idea:
Make a small card with the 8 tasks. Look at it every day and say:

“Task 1 – give advice. Task 2 – personal story…”

2) Use a simple structure

For almost every task, this basic structure works:

1. Introduction – one clear sentence

2. Two or three main ideas – with short reasons or examples

3. Conclusion – one closing sentence

You will see examples of this for each task below.

3) Speak smoothly, not fast

Fluency means smooth speaking, not very fast speaking.

• Use short pauses between ideas

• Avoid long “uhhh… ummm…”

• If you make a mistake, just correct yourself and continue

4) Use useful linking words

Simple connectors help your ideas sound organized:

• First, second, finally

• For example

• Because / so / therefore

• However / on the other hand

5) Control your time

Use a timer when you practise. For most tasks:

• Plan: 30 seconds

• Speak: 60–90 seconds

Try to speak until the end of the time. Do NOT stop after 20–30 seconds.

4. Task-by-Task Strategies (with Simple Templates)

Below are simple structures you can use.

Task 1 – Giving Advice

You listen to a friend’s problem and give advice.

Goal: Show that you understand the problem and give clear, helpful suggestions.

Easy structure:

1. Say you understand the problem

2. Give 2–3 pieces of advice

3. End with a friendly closing

Template:

First, I’m sorry you have this problem.
I think you should… [advice 1 + reason].
Another idea is to… [advice 2 + reason].
If possible, you can also… [advice 3 + reason].
I hope this helps you make a good decision.

Practice idea:
Write 5 common problems (new job, moving, noisy neighbour, etc.). Record yourself giving advice for each. Listen and check:

• Did I give at least 2 pieces of advice?

• Did I give reasons?

Task 2 – Talking About a Personal Experience

You tell a story about something that happened to you.

Goal: Clear story with beginning, middle, and end.

Easy structure (3 parts):

1. When and where – “Last year, in my hometown…”

2. What happened – 2 or 3 main events

3. How you felt / what you learned

Template:

I want to talk about a time when…
This happened [when] in [place].
First, …
Then, …
Finally, …
In the end, I felt… because…
It was important for me because…

Extra tip: Use past tense carefully (went, saw, bought, felt).

Task 3 – Describing a Scene

You look at a picture and describe what you see.

Goal: Show you can describe people, actions, and places.

Easy structure:

1. General sentence – where and what

2. Left side of the picture – 1 or 2 details

3. Right side of the picture – 1 or 2 details

4. Background / extra details

Useful language:

• In the middle / on the left / on the right

• In the background / in the foreground

• A man is… / two children are…

Template:

In this picture, I can see…
On the left, there is…
On the right, …
In the background, …
Everyone looks… because…

Task 4 – Making Predictions

You see a picture and guess what will happen next.

Goal: Use future tense (will / going to) and give reasons.

Easy structure:

1. Describe the situation now (1 or 2 sentences)

2. Say what will happen next (2 or 3 ideas)

3. Give reasons

Template:

Right now, …
I think [person] will… because…
They will probably…
In the end, …

Task 5 – Comparing and Persuading

You compare two options and choose one.

Goal: Compare clearly and persuade your “friend” to choose your option.

Easy structure:

1. Say which option you prefer

2. Give 2 to 3 reasons

3. Mention one good point about the other option

4. Finish with a strong sentence

Useful language:

• [Option A] is better because…

• The first/second option

• However, the other option is also…

• Overall, I strongly recommend…

Template:

Between these two options, I would choose [option].
First, …
Second, …
Also, …
The other option is good because…, but…
Overall, I think [option] is better for you.

Task 6 – Dealing with a Difficult Situation

You are in a problem situation (for example, a mistake at work) and must respond.

Goal: Be polite, calm, and solution-focused.

Easy structure:

1. Say who you are and why you are calling/talking

2. Explain the problem

3. Offer 1 or 2 solutions

4. Stay polite, even if you are unhappy

Useful language:

• I’m calling because…

• I understand this is a problem.

• Could you please…?

• I would really appreciate it if…

Task 7 – Expressing Opinions

You give your opinion on a general topic (for example, online learning, public transport).

Goal: Clear opinion + 2–3 reasons + examples.

Easy structure:

1. State your opinion

2. Give reason 1 + example

3. Give reason 2 + example

4. Optional: reason 3 or short conclusion

Template:

In my opinion, …
First, … [reason + example].
Second, … [reason + example].
Overall, I believe…

Task 8 – Describing an Unusual Situation

You describe something strange and explain it to someone (often on the phone).

Goal: Make the strange event clear and easy to imagine.

Easy structure:

1. Say who you are and where you are

2. Describe what you see / what happened

3. Explain why it is unusual

4. Say what you want the other person to do

Template:

Hello, my name is… I’m calling from…
Right now, I can see…
This is unusual because…
I think maybe…
Could you please…?

5. Simple Practice Plan (2 Weeks)

Every day (15–20 minutes):

• Choose one task type

• Use your phone as a timer

• Plan for 30 seconds

• Record your answer (60–90 seconds)

• Listen and ask:

• Did I answer the question?

• Did I follow my structure?

• Did I speak until the end of the time?

3 times a week:

• Choose one recording

• Write a short transcript of what you said

• Underline mistakes with grammar or vocabulary

• Re-record the answer with better language

Once a week:

• Ask a friend/teacher to listen

• Ask them:

• Was my answer clear?

• Were my ideas organized?

• Did I sound confident?

All these steps match the skills CELPIP raters want to see: good content, vocabulary, fluency, and task completion.

6. Common Mistakes (and Easy Fixes)

Mistake 1: Very short answers

• Some students stop after 20–30 seconds.

Fix:

• Always prepare at least two main ideas + examples.

• Practise with a timer and push yourself to speak longer.

Mistake 2: Off-topic answers

• Students tell a nice story but do not answer the question.

Fix:

• In the first sentence, repeat part of the question:

• “You asked me to give you advice about…”

Mistake 3: Very complex sentences with many errors

Fix:

• Use short, clear sentences:

• “First, I think you should… because…”

Mistake 4: Speaking too fast or too slow

Fix:

• Aim for a medium speed.

• Record yourself and listen: can you understand every word?

7. How English Azade Can Help You

At English Azade, we work with small groups (4 to 5 students) in our semi-private CELPIP Speaking classes.

In class, you:

• Practise all 8 tasks many times

• Get personal feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and ideas

• Learn ready-to-use templates like the ones in this post

• Build confidence by speaking in a supportive group

If you want structured practice and expert feedback, joining Azade’s speaking class can save you a lot of time and help you reach your target score faster.