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Did you know that your cultural IQ can affect your Speaking score on the IELTS exam?
It’s true!
Today you’ll find out how.
There are questions that can be traps on the IELTS exam.
Examiners are human and when they hear your response to a question like “what’s the difference between activities that men and women do?” they will have a negative gut reaction to your answer if you respond in a way that shows a lack of cultural sensitivity.
Come back to our site to get the phrases that you need to say this correctly
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Are you preparing for IELTS in a way that works with your personality?
Do you assume that because you’re an introvert, you can’t succeed on the Speaking test?
What’s the difference between an introvert and an extrovert:
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This morning one of our listeners just took the Speaking test and we got a great question from her.
She had two questions:
1- “Is it bad that the examiner asked me to speak louder?”
2- “Is it ok that I took a quick sip of water during the test?”
Neither of these issues is a problem that will affect your grade.
But you must speak loudly enough that the examiner can hear you of course.
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Are you using crutches when it comes to the IELTS Speaking test?
Today you’ll find out why crutches can be deadly on the IELTS exam.
Language crutches in English are “like,” “um,” “uh” and words like those. When you use those on the IELTS Speaking test you lose points for both fluency and vocabulary.
You lose fluency points because you are repeating yourself and you lose vocabulary points because it sounds like you don’t have the vocabulary words that you need.
You have to stop using them on the exam even though you hear native speakers using them all of the time and they are natural.
Come back to our site to find out how to stop using these crutches
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Do you ever run out of things to say on the IELTS Speaking test?
What should you do in this situation?
This happens a lot in Part 2 of the Speaking test.
Follow two steps if your mind goes blank and you run out of ideas:
Follow these two steps the next time you run out of ideas on the Speaking test and let us know how it goes.
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Do you know what the biggest myth about writing and speaking on the IELTS is?
What should you do if the questions that you get on the speaking test are too broad?
You should talk about examples from your personal life.
Tell your own stories. Think about your most recent experiences from the topic.
For example:
Q: Do you enjoy exercise?
A: Yeah just yesterday I was going on a bike ride and I saw cherry blossoms.
Don’t be afraid to “boast” about yourself.
Also use linking phrases to get a higher fluency and coherence score. Examiners listen for them.
Use linking words like:
What questions do you have about the IELTS exam?
Let us know in the comments below.
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Did you know that you should spend LESS time on grammar when you prepare for the IELTS exam?
Does that sound strange to you?
If it does then you should listen to today’s episode.
Why shouldn’t you focus on grammar?
It’s not worth the time and it’s almost impossible to improve your grammar score for the speaking section quickly. Don’t waste your time on grammar textbooks.
Instead of doing grammar exercises, you should try reading a newspaper to improve your reading score.
In speaking, you are graded on 4 things:
Remember, your speaking score is an average. You can still get a speaking score of 7 without focusing on grammar.
What do you think?
Are you focusing a lot on grammar?
Are you going to change your strategy after today’s episode?
Let us know below.
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What is the IELTS?
Who takes it, and why?
Today, Lindsay and Jessica discuss all the basics of the IELTS exam!
The IELTS is an exam that’s usually taken by non-native English speakers. The academic version of the exam is for students who want to study in a English-language university. A more general IELTS exam is taken by job candidates who want to work in English-speaking countries. The two versions are very similar – the only difference is that the academic test has more difficult reading and writing sections.
IELTS is completed with pencil and paper, and by speaking with a real person. This is very different from something like TOEFL, which is computerized. However, the IELTS does have very specific rules. This means that knowing what to expect can help you get a better score.
If you’re at intermediate level and you’re planning to take the exam, you should begin preparing for it least 3-6 months ahead. Also, be aware that the IELTS is very popular, so seats fill up fast. Ielts.org has a list of where and when you can take the exam.
Many people who take the test don’t get the score they need the first time. Don’t worry, you can take it again! The best way to improve your chances is to know what to expect, and to prepare.
More details are coming soon about our 3 Keys IELTS System! Stay tuned to learn more!
Are you going to take the IELTS?
Tell us why, and how you’re preparing for it!
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Do you want to impress the examiner in the IELTS speaking section?
Today, find out why exaggerating will give you a better score!
If you want to stand out in the IELTS speaking section, you need to energize the English you’re using. You can’t just say something boring like “I’m hungry” when you can get more attention by saying “I’m starving – if I don’t eat now, I’m gonna die!”
Of course, you don’t need to exaggerate all the time when you speak English, but doing it during your speaking exam will definitely impress your teacher.
Use adverbs to magnify your adjectives, and use idioms and metaphors to add color to what you’re saying. Also, use excited and dramatic intonation to show emotion. Doing these will make you a more interesting and natural-sounding speaker, and get you a better score.
Here are some examples:
How can you talk like a drama king or queen?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Let's talk about it- leave us a question at http://allearsenglish.com/aee-ielts-american-british-english/
Should you speak American English or British English on the IELTS?
Today, Jessica and Lindsay talk about accents, and what you can expect on the exam!
The IELTS was developed in Cambridge, United Kingdom. So does that mean you should speak English with a British accent when you take the exam?
The answer is no. English is now a global language, and the IELTS is a global exam. On the listening section, you are likely to hear American, British, Indian and other kinds of English accents. And it doesn’t matter which you use when you speak – as long as your pronunciation is clear!
It’s a good idea to get used to different accents so you don’t have trouble understanding them on test day. Consider listening to podcasts from the different places, and don’t be afraid to work with a teacher from anywhere.
Which English accents are you used to hearing?
Which ones are difficult for you to understand?
Let us know in the comments section below!
Get your FREE IELTS CHEAT SHEET: http://www.allearsenglish.com/evaluation
Come back to http://allearsenglish.com/aee-ielts-examiner-stop-speaking-test/ and leave a comment
Why does the IELTS examiner stop you in the speaking test?
Today, Jessica and Lindsay talk about why this happens, and why you shouldn’t worry about it!
It can be frustrating if the IELTS examiner asks you a question, and you begin answering it, and then they stop you while you’re speaking. You might think that you made an English mistake, or the examiner doesn’t like your answer. But that’s not what’s happening.
Timing is the issue. The examiner has only a certain amount of time to ask you about specific things. As part of their job, they must stop you – and it has nothing to do with the quality of your English, or your answer.
Don’t let an abrupt interruption like this cause you extra anxiety! Expect it to happen, and don’t take it personally. All tests have to follow their timing.
Do you think being interrupted while you’re English speaking might cause you anxiety?
What do you plan to do about it?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Get our free IELTS Cheat Sheet: http://www.allearsenglish.com/evaluation
Get a summary of today's episode: http://allearsenglish.com/aee-ielts-unfamilar-speaking-question-un-freeze-speaking-section/
What's your target score on the Speaking test? Come back to our site and let us know!
Nervous about the IELTS Speaking test? Get our free IELTS Cheat Sheet and learn what the Examiner wants: http://www.allearsenglish.com/evaluation
Get a summary of today's episode here: http://allearsenglish.com/aee-ielts-attack-writing-task-2/
Tell us what your target score is and when your next exam date is.
Get our free IELTS Cheat Sheet: http://www.allearsenglish.com/evaluation
Get a summary of today's episode: http://allearsenglish.com/aee-ielts-anxious-nervous-scared-go-happy-place-comes-ielts/
Come back to our site and leave a comment. Let's have a conversation about the IELTS! Let us know your next test date. We are here to support you.
Find out what the Examiner wants on the Speaking test: http://www.allearsenglish.com/evaluation
Here is the summary of today's show: http://allearsenglish.com/aee-ielts-resources-like-preparation-need/
Get our free IELTS Cheat Sheet! Find out what the examiner wants on the speaking test: http://www.allearsenglish.com/evaluation
Get a summary of this episode here: http://allearsenglish.com/aee-ielts-how-to-beat-writing-task-1-on-the-ielts/
Come back to our site and ask us your IELTS question!
We want to have a conversation with you.
Come back to our blog and have a conversation with us!
http://allearsenglish.com/ielts-writing-time-strategy/
Also get our IELTS Cheat Sheet to find out what the Examiner wants on the Speaking test: http://www.allearsenglish.com/evaluation
Are you getting ready for your IELTS exam?
One big challenge on the IELTS is timing on the Writing test.
Today we’ll help you with a great time-management strategy.
You have a total of 60 minutes to do the whole Writing test. Task 2 is 250 words and Task 1 is 150 words so you need to spend more time on Writing Task 2.
We recommend 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2.
However, don’t start with Writing Task 2. Do Task 1 first.
You also need to allow time for planning.
It really depends on you and how you prefer to write but we recommend that you practice and see what’s right for you in terms of planning time.
As a general guideline, you could spend 4 minutes planning and then spend a few minutes after to check your work.
When you practice brainstorming and coming up with ideas in the planning step, don’t forget to write down everything you think of.
In Task 2, spend 5 minutes planning, 30 minutes writing, 5 minutes to check.
You need to practice the timing for all of these steps and adjust it based on what you need.
Practice is the key with time management.
The biggest mistakes that people make with time management on IELTS Writing is when they skip both planning and checking at the end.
When you check, look for spelling, grammar, vocabulary, etc.
Listen to this episode to learn more about how to check your own IELTS Writing test.
What other questions do you have about IELTS Writing?
Let us know in the comments below.
Did you know that being imaginative and creative can get you a 7 on the IELTS exam?
This is especially true when it comes to the IELTS Speaking test. Your ideas don’t need to be 100% realistic. What’ more important is the way you deliver your ideas. You can make stuff up and have fun with it!
Today we’ll show you how!
What should you do when you get a Speaking question about the future and you don’t know how to answer the question?
You need to open your mind and be willing to make up your own ideas quickly.
In Part 3 of the Speaking test, they often ask you to guess or predict the future. For example, they might ask, “How might the way people travel change in the future?” With this question you need to make up a creative answer.
A good response is this: “I predict that by 2025 we will all be riding in flying cars.”
This is also useful because when you make up a funny idea, it makes you laugh, which makes you relax and makes you speak more like a real person.
This will also help your vocabulary because you will end up using less common vocabulary when you make up ideas about the future.
If you aren’t used to coming up with your own ideas or if you haven’t learned this in school you can train your mind to be creative.
You already have the ability but you just need to practice it.
Creativity is a muscle.
Flex your imagination!
Try this:
Look at the news and look at the topics in the newspaper. Come up with a prediction for each article headline that you read. Predict what will happen with that specific topic in the future.
Try to entertain the Examiner.
The Examiner is going to give you your score right after Part 3 of the Speaking so it’s good to leave them on a funny and positive note because this could influence your overall Speaking score.
If you are already a naturally funny person then you should amplify that in the Speaking test.
Don’t be afraid of your own ideas and your own personality.
If you are enjoying yourself during the test then your Examiner is probably having fun too.
Do you have other questions about the Speaking test?
Let us know in the comments below.
Are you nervous about the IELTS Speaking test?
Most people get super nervous about this part of the test!
Part of why you are nervous is because you don’t know what kind of questions to expect from the Examiner.
Today we’re going to show you what questions the Examiner is likely to ask on the Speaking test.
We’re also going to show you how to prepare for these questions.
On Part 1 of the Speaking test you will always have to talk about:
Sample questions for Speaking Part 1:
** Remember! You can’t give one-word answers. You must expand on your ideas. Give complete sentences or you will get marked down.
When the Examiner asks, “What are you studying?” don’t say “English” instead you can say “At the moment I am studying English at the university downtown.
You can practice Part 1 with a language exchange partner.
Speaking Part 2 and Speaking Part 3:
Questions in Part 2 and Part 3 will always be linked to each other.
Topic: Movies
Part 2: Describe your favorite movie (who, what, when, where, why). You can practice this part by yourself to get comfortable speaking for two minutes.
Part 3: What makes a movie successful? Do you think the director or the actors are more important?
For part 3, you should have 3 things in your answer:
When you prepare for the test, you should write out your answers ahead of time. Later, when you get comfortable with that you can stop writing them out and get better at responding quickly.
Remember, planning ahead and preparing is the key to getting more confidence.
Final tip- check out the NY Times and look at the newspaper sections- those are typical IELTS Speaking topics.
What other questions do you have for the Speaking test?
Please ask us in the comments below!