CELPIP Speaking is short but demanding. You get eight different tasks, very little preparation time, and no one in front of you to react. The good news is that each task follows a predictable pattern, so you can prepare a structure for every one of them.
The 8 tasks at a glance
| # | Task | Preparation | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giving Advice | 30 s | 90 s |
| 2 | Talking about a Personal Experience | 30 s | 60 s |
| 3 | Describing a Scene | 30 s | 60 s |
| 4 | Making Predictions | 30 s | 60 s |
| 5 | Comparing and Persuading | 60 s to choose, then 60 s | 60 s |
| 6 | Dealing with a Difficult Situation | 60 s | 60 s |
| 7 | Expressing Opinions | 30 s | 90 s |
| 8 | Describing an Unusual Situation | 30 s | 60 s |
Timings are shown on screen during the test. Check the official CELPIP test format page before your test in case of changes.
How CELPIP Speaking is rated
Your recordings are rated against four areas:
- Content/Coherence: the number and quality of your ideas, and how clearly they are organised
- Vocabulary: range and precision of word choice
- Listenability: pronunciation, rhythm, grammar and how easy you are to follow
- Task Fulfilment: answering the task, with a tone that suits the listener
Notice that task fulfilment is its own category. Talking fluently about something slightly off-topic still costs you.
Task-by-task structures
Task 1: Giving Advice (90 seconds)
A friend or family member has a problem and wants your advice.
Structure: greet the person and name the problem → give two or three pieces of advice, each with a reason → close warmly.
"Hi Maria, I heard you're trying to decide whether to take the new job. First, I'd compare the commute times, because an extra hour a day really adds up..."
Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience (60 seconds)
Describe a real or realistic experience, such as a time you helped someone.
Structure: when and where → what happened, in order → how you felt or what you learned. Past tenses matter here.
Task 3: Describing a Scene (60 seconds)
You see a picture and describe it to someone who cannot see it.
Structure: overall setting → foreground, background, left and right → specific people and what they are doing. Use the present continuous ("A man is carrying...") and spatial language ("in the top left corner").
Task 4: Making Predictions (60 seconds)
Using the same picture as Task 3, predict what will happen next.
Structure: pick three or four people or objects → say what will probably happen to each, using "will", "is going to", "might" and "probably". Do not describe the scene again.
Task 5: Comparing and Persuading (60 seconds)
You choose between two options (for example, two apartments), then try to persuade someone who prefers a third option.
Structure: state your choice → compare it directly with the other person's option on two or three points (price, location, features) → conclude with a clear recommendation. Use comparatives: "cheaper than", "much closer to", "not as spacious as".
Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation (60 seconds)
You must choose between two people or two courses of action and speak to one person directly.
Structure: address the person by name → explain your decision politely → give the reason → offer a solution or compromise. Tone is critical: be tactful.
Task 7: Expressing Opinions (90 seconds)
You give and defend an opinion on a general question.
Structure: clear position in the first sentence → reason one with an example → reason two with an example → short conclusion. Choose the side you can support best, not the one you personally believe.
Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation (60 seconds)
You see an unusual object or scene and describe it to someone on the phone who cannot see it.
Structure: say what it is and its overall shape → describe size, colour, material and unusual features → explain why it matters to the listener (for example, whether to buy it).
Useful language by task
Flexible phrases help you start quickly and move between ideas. Learn a few for each task, then vary them.
Giving advice (Tasks 1 and 6)
- If I were you, I'd...
- Have you thought about...?
- It might be a good idea to... because...
- I completely understand, but I think the better option is...
Narrating an experience (Task 2)
- A couple of years ago, when I was...
- At first, I... but then...
- Looking back, I realised that...
Describing a picture (Tasks 3 and 8)
- In the foreground / background, there is...
- On the left-hand side, a woman is...
- It looks like..., and it seems to be made of...
Predicting (Task 4)
- In a few moments, the boy will probably...
- It looks as though the waiter is about to...
- I expect that... because...
Comparing and persuading (Task 5)
- While your option is..., mine is much more...
- The main advantage of... is that...
- Considering the price and location, I really think... is the better choice.
Giving opinions (Task 7)
- I strongly believe that...
- One reason is that... For example,...
- Some people argue that..., but in my view...
Sample Task 7 response (90 seconds)
Prompt (illustrative): Should cities make public transit free for everyone? Explain your opinion.
I strongly believe that cities should make public transit free. The first reason is traffic. If buses and trains were free, many people who currently drive to work would switch, and roads would become much less congested. For example, in my city, rush-hour traffic makes a fifteen-minute drive take nearly an hour, and I think free transit would encourage people to leave their cars at home.
The second reason is fairness. Transit fares take up a large part of the budget for students and people on low incomes, and free transit would make it easier for them to get to school, work and appointments.
Some people argue that cities cannot afford this. However, I think the savings from less traffic and pollution could balance some of the cost. So overall, free transit would make our cities cleaner, fairer and easier to move around.
Clear position, two developed reasons, an example, a counterargument and a conclusion: that is a structure you can reuse for any opinion prompt.
Mistakes that cost points
- Running out of time mid-idea. Practise with a timer until 60 and 90 seconds feel natural.
- Stopping early. Silence is not penalised directly, but a short answer has less content.
- Ignoring the listener. Tasks 1, 5, 6 and 8 involve speaking to someone. Address them directly.
- Over-formal or robotic language. Memorised phrases like "Firstly and foremostly" sound unnatural. Simple, clear English is better.
- Losing pace. Speaking too fast reduces listenability; speaking too slowly limits content.
Using your preparation time
With 30 seconds, you can write about five words. Use them as a plan:
- One word for your main point or choice
- One or two words per supporting idea
- One word for your ending
Do not write sentences. Look at the screen, plan, and start speaking as soon as the recording begins.
A two-week practice routine
| Days | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | Record Tasks 1, 2 and 7; listen back and note pauses and repeated words |
| 4–6 | Tasks 3, 4 and 8 with new pictures; build spatial and descriptive vocabulary |
| 7–9 | Tasks 5 and 6; practise comparatives and polite, tactful phrasing |
| 10–12 | Full Speaking sections under timed conditions |
| 13–14 | Review your recordings and repeat your weakest two tasks |
Speaking is only one of four skills, and for immigration each one must reach your target CLB level. See CELPIP scores and CLB levels for how that works.
EnglishHub's CELPIP simulator recreates all eight Speaking tasks in the real format, with AI feedback on your recorded answers. It includes 50 full mock tests and 200 practice sets, and your first mock is free: try a CELPIP mock test, or practise individual tasks on the CELPIP hub.
EnglishHub is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. AI feedback is a practice guide, not an official CELPIP rating.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the CELPIP Speaking test?
About 15 to 20 minutes, including a short practice task. There are eight scored tasks, each with its own preparation and speaking time.
Do I speak to a person in CELPIP Speaking?
No. You speak into a microphone and your responses are recorded on the computer, then rated later by trained raters. There is no live examiner.
What happens if I stop speaking before the time runs out?
The recording continues until the time is up. Finishing early is not penalised directly, but a short answer usually has less content and development, which can lower your level.
How is CELPIP Speaking scored?
Raters assess your responses on content and coherence, vocabulary, listenability, and task fulfilment. The result is a single Speaking level from 1 to 12.
Should I memorise answers for CELPIP Speaking?
No. Memorised answers rarely fit the exact task and tend to sound unnatural. It is much better to practise flexible structures you can apply to any prompt.
