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Thursday 16 December 2010

Try not to panic!!!!

Many students have told me how missing an answer in the listening exam causes them to panic, and as a result, they can't concentrate on the following questions.  Because you only get one chance to listen there is a lot of pressure on you. 

The most important thing to realize is that missing one answer in the exam is not the end of the world (unless of course you are aiming to score 9!). 

  1. First of all check out how many approximate, correct answers you need  in order to get the IELTS score you require.  
  2. Next, you could work out which question types you are good at, and which you aren't.  This helps you to rationalize and focus on your strengths - try to get as many correct answers as possible with those questions you are good at. 
  3. Also, you need to realize that the listening exam starts easy and gets harder.  So my advice to students, depending on the IELTS score you are aiming for, is to work out the percentage of correct answers you can achieve in each section.  For example, you should try to get 100% correct answers from section 1 as it is the easiest section.  However, you could aim for approximately 40-50% correct answers in section 4 (if you have answered most of the other sections well and need 6.5).  In order to make these kinds of calculations you need to have practised a few tests and worked out what you can or need to achieve from each section.
  4. Finally, if you miss an answer don't panic.  Accept that this answer is lost.  Take a deep breath and try to focus on which question you should be listening for now.  Missing an answer is OK as long as you don't let this situation get out of control and lead to you missing another 3 or 4 answers.

Monday 13 December 2010

How to answer the IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions

In this part of the exam you have to answer discussion questions that may be related in some way to the topic you have just talked about in part 2.  In order to answer these questions well you of course need to practice.  However, you also need to think about what kind of grammar, vocabulary and linking phrases to use to present your ideas clearly.  And you need to understand the questions!!!  Take a look at the guide below and listen to an IELTS teacher answering some questions.
 

Wednesday 24 November 2010

The BEST LAST MINUTE tips for the IELTS speaking exam

The last in the series of last minute tips...

The BEST Last Minute Tips for the IELTS Speaking exam

The BEST LAST MINUTE tips for the IELTS writing exam

Here are some last minute tips I share with my students just before they take their exam.  There is so much advice you can try and give to people but I find that these tips cover the typical mistakes they have made during the course.  I hope they help you too.

The BEST Last Minute Tips for the IELTS Writing exam

Friday 5 November 2010

Wednesday 15 September 2010

A sample IELTS essay with a score of 8

Here's an essay from one of my students. I've corrected it and you can see my comments. Overall I gave him a score of 8.

A sample IELTS essay scoring 8

Friday 13 August 2010

Essay Planning 4 - writing conclusions

It's the final part in the series on essay writing for IELTS. Instructions on how to write a concluding paragraph with 3 IELTS essays to read.

Essay Planning 4 Conclusions 1

Friday 6 August 2010

How to prepare for the IELTS exam Speaking Part 2

Finally some advice on how to do the IELTS exam Speaking Part 2.  This is where you have 1 minute to prepare yourself for a topic, and then you speak for 2 minutes without any interruptions from the examiner.  If you want to do well in this section of course you need to practice, practice, practice.  But what does that mean?

Take a look at my new document and also listen to a native speaker doing the task.
How to Prepare for the IELTS exam Speaking Part 2

Wednesday 4 August 2010

Congratulations Erkan!!!!

Another very successful IELTS student from my class.  These results are brilliant - especially the reading - I'm speechless! 

Reading     9
Listening   7.5
Writing      7.5
Speaking   7

Overall      8

You worked hard Erkan and fully deserve the results you got - I'm very proud of you. 

Tuesday 3 August 2010

Essay Planning 3

Here's the third part in my essay writing series -
How to write Introduction paragraphs for your IELTS essay.
There's a simple formula to follow which works every time.  And take a look at the examples I give with real IELTS questions asked in May and June 2010.

Monday 26 July 2010

Looking for a speaking partner?

One new student signed up yesterday. He's looking for another student who wants to practice speaking for the IELTS exam. Click on the link below to go to the Discussions page on My IELTS Teacher facebook page. The more people who join the more chances you have to practice.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/my-IELTS-teacher/137878029571114?v=app_2373072738&ref=sgm

Friday 23 July 2010

Essay Planning 2: From brainstorming to writing paragraphs

So how do use your notes to plan and write main paragraphs in your IELTS essay?  Take a look at how I developed the ideas on an essay on school subjects.

Wednesday 21 July 2010

IELTS exam Essay Planning 1: Brainstorming

Before you write an essay you need to think of ideas - this is brainstorming.

When you read the essay question in the IELTS exam you should find the key words and put a circle around them - this helps to keep you focused on the question. If you don't do this you might find you move away from the topic, or you forget to include something in your answer.

Have a look at my brainstorming plans for a recent IELTS exam question:

Essay Planning 1 Brainstorming 1

Wednesday 14 July 2010

Congratulations Sezin

One of my IELTS students emailed me this week to tell me her great news - an IELTS result of 7.5!  Well done Sezin.

Her level on entering my class was Advanced.  However, in her first trial reading test she could only achieve a result of 5, and in a practice speaking test she achieved 6.5. 

But all credit to Sezin she worked very hard, listened to my advice and personal feedback, and now she has the following results:
Listening   7.5
Reading    7
Writing     6.5
Speaking  8

This is why I love being a teacher!

FREE DOWNLOAD!

An exciting new addition to my web page.  Now you can download a FREE 28-page document which gives advice on how to improve your level and so help you to achieve the IELTS score you want.

Best of all, none of these tips will cost you any extra because most of what you need is available free on the Internet. 

Take a look now at www.myieltsteacher.com.  All you need to do is provide your name and email address and then the document is yours.  And when you sign up to receive the document you are also automatically added to my ielts teacher newsletter service.  This is a regular email service (free of course) that gives students more advice on how to take the IELTS exam.

Wednesday 23 June 2010

More help from my web page

If you want more help with your IELTS exam preparation take a look at my web page. There are also practice tests for all parts of the exam and you can even calculate your approximate IELTS score!

Just click on the title above to go straight to my web page or type in www.myieltsteacher.com

Monday 7 June 2010

What's my IELTS score?

Before you take the IELTS exam you need to know what kind of result you expect to get. This all depends on your real level of English.

If you attend a language school then the name of your class level can be a helpful guide. However, if you haven't studied or used English for a long time your level may be lower than you think because unfortunately you forget things very quickly.

Your real level of English also depends on your level in each skill - reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Tuesday 25 May 2010

How the examiner assesses your Task 2 essay

It's important when you write your essay that you understand what the examiner is looking for. Some of you may think that vocabulary and grammar are the most important points to think about but they are not. The marks for these 2 areas make up only 50% of your answer.

The examiner marks you essay according to 4 categories - Content, Organisation/Structure, Vocabulary and Grammar. These 4 categories are worth 25% each.

In the table below you can see the important areas to think about in each category. If you click on these topics you will be able to find an explanation of what they mean.

my IELTS teacher

Welcome to my IELTS teacher blog.

You will be able to get help and advice about the 4 different sections (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening) of the the Academic and General IELTS exam.
In addition you can find practice activities and tests on my main website at http://www.myieltsteacher.com/