Signpost expressions in IELTS Listening

Have you ever been lost in a new city? If yes, how did you get directions? If no, imagine you had no map or technology. How would you get to your destination? Probably you are going to read signs on the road. They can tell you about the distance to the spot and whether you have to go straight or turn left or right.

Many students and candidates often get lost when they listen to lecture portions of the IELTS Listening test.  They struggle to understand everything that is being said and give up the task. However, there is a solution to this problem. It is quite simple, and it works not only for lectures but for longer conversations as well. It is a good idea to listen to signposts.

What are signposts?

Signposts or signposting language are the words and expressions speakers usually use to guide the listener through what they are saying. In the IELTS Listening section, they signal a specific type of information in a listening passage. For example, there are signposts that signal that a new topic is going to be introduced or that the speaker is going to give a definition of some key term, etc. Look at the following task and the script of the conversation. What do these signposts tell us?

• A: Over the last five years scientists from thirteen countries have been taking part in the project and launching floats in their area of ocean control. And next year this number will rise to fourteen when Indonesia joins the project.
• B: That’s impressive.
• A: But let’s move on to how floats work. The operational cycle goes like this…

Here the speaker warns us that he is going to talk about the process now. That means, he is moving from the first part of the conversation to the next one where we have to complete the diagram.

• The operational cycle goes like this… Each of the floats is dropped in the ocean from above to the set point and activated from the satellite. The float immediately sinks to the bottom of about 2,000 meters. That’s two whole kilometers down in the water. 

Here we are ready to hear that the speaker will be talking about the first step in the process. 

• A:…During this time, it’s quite possible for it to cover quite large distances. But the average is fifty kilometers. 
• B: So, what is it actually recording?

By talking about the distance first, and then making a contrast, the speaker emphasizes that he is telling the correct answer to the question. 

• A: Well, at this stage nothing. But as it rises to the surface it collects all sorts of data. Most importantly, variations in salinity, that’s salt levels, and the changes in temperature, a bit like underwater weather balloons. Then, when it gets back to the surface, all the data that’s collected is being dubbed to the satellite…

Here the speaker explains what ‘salinity’ is and immediately provides us with the word we need to complete the gap, also by giving us the definition. 

So, can you see now that the IELTS Listening test tries desperately to show you where the answers are?

Signpost words and expressions help you to predict what is going to be said next. Finally, as you listen to them, you get a clear understanding of the point the speaker is making, be it comparing, contrasting, adding information, or just sequencing, and you start seeing the whole picture. Even if you get lost in the lecture or a conversation, listening for signposts will definitely help you get a better sense of what is happening in the lecture, which will help you become focused again.

Common signposting language

Once you learn to listen to signposting language during your IELTS preparation, you are likely to reduce stress on the day of your exam and answer more questions correctly.