The 8 CELPIP speaking tasks
The Speaking test takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You see each task on screen, prepare for a short time, then speak into a microphone. Nobody interviews you. Your recordings are scored later by trained raters.
The times show preparation, then speaking. In Task 5 you also get 60 seconds to choose between two options before you prepare. Try every task with real timing in the free speaking drill.
How CELPIP speaking is scored
Raters score your answers on four areas. Knowing them tells you what to practise.
| Area | What raters listen for | Quick way to improve |
|---|---|---|
| Content and coherence | Clear ideas, good reasons and examples, a logical order | Use the same 4-step structure every time |
| Vocabulary | A range of words used precisely and naturally | Learn 5 useful phrases per task type |
| Listenability | Pronunciation, rhythm, few long pauses, self-correction that does not confuse | Record yourself and listen back daily |
| Task fulfillment | Answering exactly what was asked, in the right tone, using the full time | Read the task twice before you plan |
Tips that raise speaking scores
- Use a fixed structure. Open with your main point, give two reasons with an example each, then close. A structure stops you from freezing.
- Plan in keywords, not sentences. In 30 seconds you can note 4 or 5 words. Writing full sentences wastes the time.
- Fill the time at a steady pace. Running out of things to say costs more than speaking a little slowly.
- Talk to the person in the task. If the task says you are speaking to a friend, use a friendly tone. If it is a manager, be polite and direct.
- Describe, don't list, in Tasks 3 and 8. Say where things are and what people are doing, so the listener can picture it.
What a speaking session looks like
Your coach gives you real CELPIP-style tasks with exact timing, records your answers, and plays them back with you. You get a score estimate for each area, the two or three habits costing you the most points, and phrases to fix them. In a 60-minute session you can usually work through 6 to 8 tasks with feedback.
Hear what a rater would hear
A coach scores your answers on all four areas and shows you the fastest fixes.
Questions
How can I practise CELPIP speaking at home?
Use the free timed drill on this site, record yourself on your phone, and listen back. Check that you answered the question, used the full time and gave reasons with examples.
Is the CELPIP speaking test with a real person?
No. You speak into a microphone on a computer and your answers are recorded. Trained raters score the recordings later.
How long is each CELPIP speaking answer?
Tasks 1 and 7 give you 90 seconds to speak. The other six tasks give you 60 seconds.