IELTS Pronunciation Masterclass: Intonation, Stress, and Rhythm

Deborah B
Nov 25, 2025
2 min read

Many candidates focus on grammar and vocabulary but lose points because of unclear pronunciation. IELTS assesses pronunciation through intonation, stress and rhythm. Improving these areas helps you sound natural and understandable without needing a native accent.

Why pronunciation matters

Pronunciation accounts for 25 percent of your Speaking band score. Even with strong ideas and vocabulary, unclear sounds can lower your fluency and coherence scores. Clear intonation, stress and rhythm make it easier for examiners to understand and appreciate your answers. Improving pronunciation also improves listening skills because you become more attuned to sound patterns.

Intonation: The music of English

English uses rising and falling tones to convey meaning. Practise rising intonation for yes/no questions (“Do you work here?”) and falling intonation for statements (“I work as a software engineer.”). Shadow recordings of newsreaders to mimic pitch changes. Record yourself and compare with the original to adjust your pitch.

Word and sentence stress

Stressing the right syllable and word helps listeners understand. For example, the word “present” (PRE‑sent) is a noun; “present” (pre‑SENT) is a verb. In sentences, stress key content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives). Practise this sentence: “The project needs urgent attention,” stressing the bold words. This makes your speech clearer and more dynamic.

Rhythm and connected speech

English rhythm is stress timed, meaning unstressed syllables shorten to maintain a regular beat. Practise linking words and reducing function words (e.g., “going to” becomes “gonna”). Clap along as you read to feel the beat.

Daily pronunciation exercises

Choose a one‑minute clip from a BBC or TED talk.
Listen and mark intonation patterns and stressed words.
Repeat the clip, imitating the speaker’s rhythm.
Record your version and compare.
Use an AI tool like Elsa Speak to receive feedback on specific sounds.

HillEd’s pronunciation training

HillEd offers targeted pronunciation coaching with audio models and feedback. We also provide FAQ resources answering common questions like “How do I improve IELTS pronunciation?” and “What accent should I use?” Use our recordings to practise intonation and stress patterns and get real‑time corrections.

For a complete speaking strategy, combine this masterclass with our posts on IELTS Common Mistakes and IELTS Preparation for Busy Adults to ensure you address all elements of the Speaking exam.

Enhance your speaking score by mastering pronunciation and join our specialised IELTS speaking course to practise with experts.