In this episode you will:

-Learn how and when to use more advanced vocabulary.

-Hear and be able to identify a standard British Accent.

-Hear a special ‘pack’ of useful phrases for the IELTS speaking exam.

The post 020 Learning the British Accent and IELTS Speaking Task 1 appeared first on IELTS podcast.

I know, silly question. It would feel great.

Now what if you could download that lesson right now… for free? And see the final Band 9 model answer?

In this episode Tish from YES-IELTS.com is back with more tips and advice regarding a table.

Main points from the interview.

When starting to summarise a table:

• Check the time frame, what tense will you be using?
• Make a list of some of the vocabulary you would like to use.

Divide into groups and review the data.

• Try to divide the table into two significant parts. Look for a way to group the data.
• Also look for any exceptions, (percentage aged 75+ falls for the first time in 2050).
• Below the data is divided into two groups of 20 years.
• Another option could have been: Total Population, Population Aged 75+.

The table used is more simple than an official IELTS exam to clearly show the procedures.

Paragraphs and structure

• P1 will be the introductory statement, in this example two sentences may be necessary.
• Use two main paragraphs to describe each group derived from the table.
• If possible make a comparison or contrast in the paragraphs.
• For the first paragraph, there is a comparison between two groups within the first group of 20 years.
• P2 focusses on the next 20 years and acknowledges the exception in the graph.
• For the summary sentence try to look for something significant, and related to the paragraphs, for example: during the time period the amount of people over 75 doubled.

Click here to see the model answer.

Click here for the notes on the model answer.

Common mistakes made

• For the summary do not include an opinion or extra information.
• Including too many figures and not being selective.
• Not making a plan to organise the essay.

Best preparation

• Practice practise practise tests.
• First try the task with no time limit -master the skills, then focus on completing it within 20 minutes.
• Become accustomed to not using the dictionary.

For more information about YES-IELTS.com -click here

1. Click on the button Friends of YES! IELTS on the front page of www.yes-ielts.com 
2. Create a username and password for the YES! IELTS site
3. Click on Friends of IELTS Podcast. The enrolment key to enter this area is Ben 

The post 019 How to Describe a Table – Academic Task 1. appeared first on IELTS podcast.

In this podcast Peter shares:

-Practical advice for the IELTS Speaking part 2.

-Great tips for learning and employing idiomatic expressions.

-Tips to gain fluency.

-How can an IELTS student structure their talk.

-Keys to using and understanding idiomatic expressions -like the palm of your hand.

Advanced IELTS Speaking

Why a student may have problems speaking fluently

-Students may sacrifice fluency to obtain accuracy and not take risks, however this isn’t a balanced approach.

Best approach:

-Understand that proficiency (advanced ability) consists of both accuracy and fluency.

-Be prepared to separate them, i.e. concentrate on fluency practise for one session, then accuracy in the second session.

Being fluent takes time because it consists of having the knowledge of the language, learnt so well it flows, without thinking (those horrible unwanted pauses).

Sign up to download all the podcasts (Currently free).

Tips to gain fluency.

-If you suffer from pauses a little trick is to use fillers: uhmm let me think, that’s a good question.

-Paraphrasing, if you don’t know the word in English just describe it: Lawnmower = something that cuts the grass. This helps you keep speaking without having to worry about finding the correct word.

-Allow yourself to make mistakes.

-Talk to yourself, decide on a specific area e.g. accuracy using the past tense.

-Focus on when to use the pauses correctly: at the end of sentences, at the end of clauses, etc.

How can an IELTS student structure their talk.

-Use the question, use the four parts as prompts, this makes it easy for the examiner to follow.

-If possible use anecdotes, set the scene, where and who you were with, what happened and why it’s significant to your topic.

-Although it’s a semi-formal situation, remember it is spontaneous.

-Consider it as a job interview.

How can a student make their talk more interesting?

-Be prepared to talk about yourself and to share.

-Possibly relate your story to topical events in the news at the time (only if it all connects; your topic, your story and the event).

Keys to using and understanding idiomatic expressions -like the palm of your hand.

-The receptive skill, understanding their meaning, for this you can use a dictionary

-Using them appropriately, not using them just because you know them.

-The best way to understand them is to personalise them, associate someone in your life to the idiomatic phrase, now the phrase has a feeling, this can also be done with phrasal verbs.

Peter’s recordings range from: Using an Anecdote to make a point, Making a Spontaneous talk, and Expressing and Justifying Opinions.

All all the podcasts are listed on splendid speaking: here

You can find Peter at www.splendid-speaking.com

Also try an IELTS speaking test here.

Sign up to download all the podcasts (Currently free).

NEW TRANSCRIPTS AND EXTRA HELP:

• Detailed transcript of each podcast.
• Vocabulary definitions and examples.
• Language review exercises.
• Online listening and language quizzes.
• Online vocabulary flashcards.

The post 018 These must be some of the best kept IELTS speaking secrets. appeared first on IELTS podcast.

You may have to describe a big juicy pie chart, or even three, or possibly even with a bar chart…

…It doesn’t matter. Each scenario requires the ability to describe one, and if you want to score high in the academic IELTS test, you better know how.

Question is how?

Meet Tish from YES-IELTS.com, in this episode we go through the procedures to describe a pie chart.Tish explains what to expect, what to do, and the things you need to be aware of.

NEW TRANSCRIPTS AND EXTRA HELP:

Click below for the detailed transcript of this podcast.

How to describe a pie chart.

-Use a two paragraph structure.

-Try to split the information into two groups.

-Use introductory and summary sentences.

Even if there are three graphs, aim for 2 groups of data because:

1. The question will have asked for a SUMMARY not a DESCRIPTION.

2. 150 words and 20 minutes are too short a time for details.

3. Dividing the information into 2 groups forms the basis for your paragraphs.

Introductory statement should include:

1. What type of graph it is and what it describes.

2. The time frame / data covered.

For the summary sentence:

1. Do not repeat the introduction: Show off your wonderful English!

2. Do report the major trend / a significant change.

Be aware of the tense used.

1. Use the present tense if there is no time frame shown.

2. Check the tense you use corresponds to the time frame.

Use a variety of grammar structures.

1. Include the passive.

TO BE + PAST PARTICIPLE;

The number of CDs which were sold increased dramatically.

2. Be aware of the official band descriptors.

Do not write every specific figure, try to identify trends.

1. Include the most relevant figures.

2. Look for the largest portion, the second largest and then the bottom section in the first pie chart.

3. Do the same for the second chart (assuming there are two pie charts).

Be flexible and varied with your vocabulary.

1. Use words like portion, sector, and third, quarter, two-thirds, etc.

2. Be aware of fractions, make sure you know that three-quarters is %75.

Notes for the summary.

1. Use generalizations: A few, the large majority, etc.

2. Do not use them with specific numbers.

The most common mistakes made when describing pie charts:

1. Referring to the graph as something other than a pie chart.

2. Including too many figures or not enough figures.

Tish has an IELTS exam correction service, and a large range of courses related to the IELTS exam, so have a look here.

For more information about YES-IELTS.com -click here

1. Click on the button Friends of YES! IELTS on the front page of www.yes-ielts.com
2. Create a username and password for the YES! IELTS site
3. Click on Friends of IELTS Podcast. The enrolment key to enter this area is Ben

CLICK BELOW FOR THE NEW TRANSCRIPTS AND EXTRA HELP:

Detailed transcript of this podcast.

The post 017 Tish from Yes-IELTS.com, A Tutorial about Pie Charts appeared first on IELTS podcast.

What happened?

In this Interview with Ryan from IELTSCast.com, he shares exactly how he did it!

Firstly he read a lot, newspapers, books, and websites like the BBC, then once he was comfortable he started with the practise exams.

These are the books he used.

IELTS Practise test plus Longman (Considered more difficult than normal!)

IELTS Cambridge Reading test

…50 Practise tests later…

In total he did 50 reading tests, Ryan also recommends this amount, because this way you are completely familiar with the exam, so there shouldn’t be any surprises.

Use Different Strategies

Vinh was really smart because he practised the reading exam using different methods / strategies and found which worked best for him.

When he skimmed and scanned the maximum he scored was 7 but when he focussed on reading the whole text first, then answering the questions, his score improved.

So we have two strategies read the text then the questions, or first read the questions then then the text.

The important thing is to experiment with strategies and find what works for you.

New Vocabulary?

Vinh explained that he started by writing down a list of at least 10 new words on a piece of paper then on the reverse wrote their definitions in English. The list would then accompany him everywhere until it was learnt, after this he would progress to writing contextual sentences with the words.

Now, to learn new words he tries to form new sentences with any new vocabulary he sees.

Listening is a long term process.

Vinh advised to take a long term approach, start watching the news and even films, then force yourself to remove the subtitles, and concentrate.

Doing the Speaking exam with a cold British woman?

Vinh said the examiner was British, quite cold but very professional. 

On the cue card he had to describe the street where he lived, to do this effectively he used examples, and followed this structure: WHAT? WHY? WHEN? Possibly followed by a personal example.

This enabled him to give solid, full and interesting answers, having a structure to follow would have installed a little confidence.

Online resources

Vinh recommended two websites, IELTS-Simon.com, and IELTS.com

Writing

Vinh found that overly complicated sentences are not necessary, so keep it simple and aim for clear communication and expressing an argument.

It took him two months, writing every day and eventually he reached his high score.

The Key thing students should do!

Organise your time, not just in the exam, set long term goals, start your listening practise today and acknowledge it is not going to happen overnight.

For more interviews like this one go over to IELTS Cast.com and download them all.

The post 016 How he scored 8.5 in the reading! appeared first on IELTS podcast.

A while back I found an interesting post on a Sccop.it site about how to write a discursive essay.

I then arranged an interview with the author, Maria Jesus, we discus the steps for writing a discursive essay.

MªJesus prepares students for official English exams here in Spain, she has over twenty years experience teaching English.

Her full post describing how to write discursive essays can be found here. 

Click below to hear the latest podcast:

The post 015 Tips for Writing a Discursive Essay appeared first on IELTS podcast.

Why is there a picture of a band in an IELTS blog post?

Have  listen to find out.

The crazy mistakes students make in an interview with the visa officer.

What you need to know when applying to a foreign university.

What to do if you don’t get the IELTS score requested by your university?

What to know about overseas consultancies.

Tom from the earlier episodes, shares some amazing insights from his experience as a consultant for students wanting to study overseas.

What to know about overseas consultancies.

Just be careful, they are operating on commisions, so what maybe their best choice may not correspond for you personally. Secondly Tom explains that a lot of the process can be completed online nowadays anyway.

What to do if you don’t get the IELTS score requested by your university?

Tom also advises that you should apply to the university EVEN IF you didn’t get the grade requested. Why?

American and English Universities are in countries suffering recessions, so international students are definitely welcome.

And what happens if they say no? Nothing, so you have nothing to loose.

What you need to know when applying to a foreign university.

He recommends applying for the university regardless of whether the university asks for TOEFL or IELTS. This makes sense because at the end of the day both qualifications are broadly testing the same components.

What happens in an interview with the visa officer?

For the interview it is good to be very familiar about who you know in the foreign country nd what you plan to do there, how you will support yourself. If your parents are supporting you, find out some simple information about them just in case, find out how much they earn, their job position etc.

The post 014 Don’t make these mistakes when applying to a foreign University appeared first on IELTS podcast.

How to obtain Fluency and Confidence in the Speaking Exam- with Robby from: English Harmony.com

The other day I had a speaking class with one of my favourite students …

…and I realized how much grammar she knew but how difficult it was for her to speak fluently.

So, I went on to tell her three simple strategies I learnt from Robby at EnglishHarmony.com

In the Podcast there is a lot more information, Robby explains:

-How to improve your fluency.

-How you can jump from the ‘writing mind’ to the ‘speaking mind’.

-Why a strong accent is OK for learning.

-Learn how to stop forgetting words and loosing the idea of your thoughts.

-Learn about mental pressure, high stress, and high speed preparation.

This podcast is ideal for students who want to improve their fluency and those who have the grammar in their head but can’t get it out!

After listening choose one strategy to take and leave a comment or email me, explaining what you did.

The Three Strategies

Accept that a lack of confidence, forgetting words are inevitable.

My mind goes blank

Fast advanced fluency – Collocations.

Sign up for early access to the podcasts.

Robby’s Site: English Harmony

Robby’s Site: English Harmony

The post 013 How to obtain Fluency and Confidence in the Speaking Exam appeared first on IELTS podcast.

-The best way to approach the writing exam.

-How to use idiomatic expressions.

-The one word you do not use in the written exam! (clue: receive, obtain, acquire).

-How the student can make life easier for the examiner.

-And how to transform your writing from basic to academic.

Bronwyn the Ex-IELTS examiner said to read academic essays every day so here’s a link to loads!

www.ieltsielts.com -Sample Essay Galore!

After Listening…What Should You Do Now?

Subscribe to get access to the quiz, then test your knowledge.

The post 012 One word not to use in the IELTS writing task (Ex-Examiner) appeared first on IELTS podcast.

For this episode I interviewed two speaking experts from CommunicationSteroids.com, they offer great advice on their site.

Have a listen, then go to the end of the post and do the little exercise, because listening without action is entertainment, not learning.

In this Podcast you will learn:

Tips on how to communicate effectively.

How to avoid getting nervous.

Avoid those ‘mind going blank’ moments.

How to kill the urrrrs and arrrs.

The best preparation for a mini-presentation.

LISTEN HERE:

After Listening…What Should You Do Now?

Sign up for free updates and even more help!

You’ve learned about the best speaking strategies from the best speakers. Now it’s time to put one tiny piece of this knowledge to work…

Improve today.

1. Record yourself speaking about your country (use Audacity, or your phone). -There is some great info on Podcast 003 on how to do this.

2. Count how many times you say uhmm and arrrr.

3. Monitor and count, then try doing it again.

Send me an email after you have done this, I want to know how it turned it out:)

Stage 2 -Follow this simple 3-step formula:

Step 1: Record yourself talking about these Sample Cue Cards from Dominic.

Remember the Rule of Three and how to use Pauses.

Step 2: Listen and Analyse

Become aware of the ummms and arhhhhs.

My first Podcasts were FULL of uhhmmms and arhhhs so don’t be hard on yourself, just take note.

Do it again, remember the advice given, pauses etc. GET CONCIOUS OF IT.

Step 3: Email me the progress you made, or leave a comment.

The post 011 Improve Your Speaking in 22 Minutes appeared first on IELTS podcast.