Hey, welcome back to IELTS on Fire – your daily five-minute boost for real, useful IELTS tips. I’m Teacher Phil, and today we’re tackling something that slows down almost every IELTS student at some point: translating in your head.

If you want to boost your fluency and sound more natural, this one’s for you. We’re going to talk about why thinking in your native language can hold you back, and I’ll give you two super practical ways to start thinking directly in English. Consistency is the key here, not speed. Ready to set your English on fire?

IELTS Speaking Trap: Translating in Your Head

You’re in the Speaking exam. The examiner asks you a question, but instead of answering right away, you mentally translate every word from your language into English. It feels slow, awkward, and honestly, it makes you sound less confident.

Here’s the trick: the more you practice thinking in English, the faster and more naturally you’ll speak – and that’s a big deal for your IELTS score.

Model Response: Thinking in English

Let’s try a simple Speaking Part 1 question:

"Describe your morning routine."

Listen closely to how I answer, and pay attention to how I don’t translate – I just talk through my ideas in English.

Sample Answer

Honestly, my morning routine is pretty straightforward these days. As soon as I wake up, I check my phone – usually just for a couple of minutes – then I brush my teeth and make a quick cup of coffee. It takes me about twenty minutes to get ready, so I’m definitely not a morning person.

After that, I like to sit by the window and plan my day, which helps me clear my head before things get busy. If I could change anything, I’d probably add some exercise, because right now I’m just rushing out the door most mornings. But overall, my routine works for me.

Let me break that down for you. I started with a simple intro, moved step by step through my routine, and finished by talking about what I’d change. Notice, I didn’t pause to translate – I just described what I do in real life.

Here are three useful phrases you can steal for your own answers:

• 'Honestly, my routine is pretty straightforward these days.'
• 'If I could change anything, I’d probably add some exercise.'
• 'It helps me clear my head before things get busy.'

Quick Practice Challenge

Now it’s your turn. Pause the podcast, set a timer for one minute, and narrate your own morning routine in English – out loud. Don’t worry about mistakes or grammar. The goal is to think in English and keep going, even if it’s not perfect.

Try using one or two of the phrases from earlier. Remember, it’s about building the habit, not being fast or flawless from day one. Keep at it, and you’ll see real progress.

That’s all for today’s IELTS on Fire. Come back tomorrow for more practical tips to set your English on fire. Keep practicing, stay confident, and remember: your fluency isn’t born – it’s built. Let’s build it together.