Taking IELTS?
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Is this your first time taking the IELTS? If so, you are an “IELTS newbie” but don’t worry!
In today’s episode we are going to show you exactly what to do if you are an IELTS newbie!
We’ll give you three easy steps to follow. Check out today’s episode!
We’ll show you what to do if you have a month to prepare or if you have a year to prepare.
Come back to our site to see the steps written out
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Today you’ll find out exactly what happens on IELTS exam day.
The Listening test is first.
You listen for 30 minutes and then you have 10 minutes to transfer your answers.
Next you start the Reading test.
The Reading test has 3 passages, 40 questions, and you have to do it in 60 minutes.
There is no extra time for transferring your answers.
Next comes the Writing test. At this point you might be tired but you need to keep going. It’s important to eat a good breakfast before the test.
The Writing test is 60 minutes, 20 minutes for Task 1, 40 minutes for Task 2.
When you prepare, be sure to practice the timing for the Writing test.
After Writing, find out when your Speaking test is. It’s usually that afternoon.
Sometimes it’s at another time during the week.
During the time between the Writing and the Speaking tests, you may have a huge amount of time.
Have a plan for how you are going to fill those hours if you need to.
You can listen to a podcast in English during that time but also get some fresh air, go outside and take a walk. Give your brain some down time.
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It can be stressful when you get started preparing for the IELTS exam.
Maybe you don’t know where to start.
Today we’ll show you what you are probably missing when you get started with your IELTS prep.
Most students make this mistake. They do one of these things:
1- Only focus on test strategy and practice
or
2- Only focus on general English skill building
Doing only test prep or only general English and not both is a huge mistake.
This is a test of your English skills and not just your ability to take the test.
You need to get exposure in all different ways including speaking, reading, writing, listening.
Also, you need to study the test and understand how to use strategies to get a high score.
The way to make sure that you balance your practice is to have a daily study plan that helps you do both.
What’s the problem with a lot of IELTS schools?
At many IELTS schools you have young teachers who have online resources and fun activities but the teacher often does not know the test.
On the other hand, you could get a teacher who knows the test and who has been teaching IELTS for many years and will only do test practice with you but is very inflexible and boring.
These are the two types of teachers that you will find at many IELTS schools.
Unfortunately both of these types of teachers won’t help you get the score you need.
It’s possible to spend a lot of money and not get the skills that you need when you finish the course at an IELTS school. Don’t let this happen to you!
If you really want to attend a traditional IELTS class, make sure you have the option to get your money back after your first class or if you are studying online, try to get some sample lessons before you have to buy the whole course.
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When it comes to the IELTS Speaking or Writing tests you may get a question about age groups.
Do you have the right vocabulary to talk about age groups in English?
Today you’ll get the vocabulary you need.
Here are some terms that you need to know:
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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:
We have a HOT new IELTS video training out! Get it here and learn how to get a 7 or higher on your IELS exam.
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!
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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!
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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.