In this works, a comparison between a conventional proportional integral controller and sliding mode controller used for the variable speed control with an indirect field orientation control method of an induction motor is presented. Since the conventional controllers are very sensitive to parameter variations of the motor; therefore, they cannot provide good dynamic performance because these parameters vary certainly during operation. To solve this problem, speed sliding mode controller has been introduced due to its advantages. The simulation results obtained in MATLAB/Simulink environment are illustrated and discussed. The results show that the sliding mode control is a suitable controller to improve the performance of the speed control of the induction motor.