Learn English With Liz

Happy New Month! 🎉

Welcome to a fresh start, another opportunity to improve your English, build confidence, and sound like the version of yourself you’ve always imagined.

But let me tell you the truth…
English is not hard - inconsistency is the real problem. 👀

This month, we are doing things differently 👇

😍 No more “I understand but I can’t speak”
😍 No more fear of making mistakes
😍 No more learning today and forgetting tomorrow

Instead…

✅ You will practice every day (even if it’s 10 minutes)
✅ You will speak, even if your voice shakes
✅ You will make mistakes, and LEARN from them

Remember:
You don’t become fluent by watching videos alone…
You become fluent by using the language.

📌 Your assignment this month:
Speak English every day, talk to yourself, record yourself, or practice with a friend.

And yes, I’m watching you 👀😂

This month, I pray for you:
🙏 May your tongue be loosed to speak confidently
🙏 May your listening ears become sharper
🙏 May you understand English without translating
🙏 May your band score increase (Amen! 🔥)

You are not stuck, you are just one level away from improvement.

Let’s make April the month your English finally changes for good.

Signed,
Your favourite English coach,
Learn English With Liz 💙

Many students preparing for IELTS spend hours watching YouTube videos… yet still fail the exam.

The problem is not YouTube.
The problem is how they are using it.

You watch one video on “Band 9 Writing Tips” today.
Tomorrow, it’s “Avoid These Mistakes in Speaking.”
Next, it’s “Secrets to Score 8+ in Listening.”

It feels like you’re learning… but you’re actually just consuming.

Here’s why this approach is failing you:

First, there is no structure.
You are jumping from one teacher to another, one method to another. Today it’s British style, tomorrow it’s American style. Your brain gets confused.

Second, you are not practising enough.
IELTS is not a “watch and pass” exam. It is a “practice and improve” exam. You cannot watch writing videos and magically become a good writer.

Third, nobody is correcting you.
You may think your English is good… until someone points out your grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure mistakes. You cannot correct what you cannot see.

Fourth, you ignore your real problem.
Some students need to fix their basic English first, but instead, they jump straight into “advanced IELTS strategies.” That’s like building a house without a foundation.

And finally… you are chasing shortcuts.
There is no secret formula. No magic template. No “one video” that will give you Band 8.

If you truly want to pass IELTS:

Stop binge-watching.
Start learning with a clear plan.
Practise consistently.
Get feedback from someone who knows what they’re doing.

That’s the difference between those who keep rewriting IELTS… and those who pass it once.

Stop trying to rush into the IELTS exam when you already know your English foundation is not strong enough yet.

Let’s be honest for a moment. Many students fail IELTS not because they didn’t learn the strategies, but because they simply could not express themselves clearly in English. They memorise templates, learn “band 9 structures,” and practice tricks, yet when it’s time to write or speak, their ideas don’t come out properly. Why? Because the real problem is not strategy — it is language ability.

IELTS is, first and foremost, an English proficiency test. It is not a test of how many strategies you know or how many sample answers you have memorised. If your grammar is weak, your vocabulary is limited, or you struggle to form correct sentences, no strategy will save you in that exam hall.

Think about it this way: you cannot decorate a house that has no solid foundation. Strategies are like decorations, but your English is the foundation. If the foundation is weak, everything else will collapse.

This is where many students get it wrong. They jump straight into IELTS preparation when they should actually be working on improving their English first — building their grammar, expanding their vocabulary, practicing speaking naturally, and learning how to express ideas clearly and confidently.

So, instead of rushing, slow down. Give yourself time to grow. Focus on understanding the language, not just passing the exam. Read more. Listen more. Speak more. Write more. Make mistakes and learn from them.

Once your English improves, you will notice something interesting: IELTS strategies will suddenly start to make sense, and using them will feel natural, not forced.

Dear student, be patient with yourself. There is no shortcut to mastering a language, but with consistency, you will get there, and when you do, passing IELTS will no longer feel like an impossible task.

Follow for more.

Reading is one habit that quietly changes your life.

Every time you open a book, you open your mind to new ideas, new perspectives, and new knowledge. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a few pages a day—those little moments of reading add up over time.

Reading improves your vocabulary, strengthens your thinking, and helps you express yourself better. It also allows you to learn from people and places you may never meet in real life.

So today, pick up a book, an article, or even a short story. Your mind will thank you for it.

What are you currently reading? 📚

10 Interesting English Words Many People Don’t Know

1. Procrastinate
Meaning: To delay doing something you should do.
Example: Stop procrastinating and finish your work.
2. Awkward
Meaning: A situation that feels uncomfortable or embarrassing.
Example: The silence in the room was awkward.
3. Confident
Meaning: Feeling sure about yourself and your abilities.
4. Frustrated
Meaning: Feeling upset because something is not working.
5. Motivated
Meaning: Having the desire or energy to do something.
6. Overwhelmed
Meaning: Feeling like you have too many things to handle.
7. Curious
Meaning: Wanting to know or learn something.
8. Polite
Meaning: Showing good manners and respect.
9. Grateful
Meaning: Feeling thankful.
10. Ambitious
Meaning: Having a strong desire to succeed.

Many people think articles in English are small and unimportant words. But the truth is, they can completely change the meaning of a sentence. Using them correctly can make your writing clearer, more natural, and more professional.

Let’s break it down in a simple way.

1. Use “A” or “An” for something general

We use a or an when we are talking about something for the first time or something that is not specific.

Example:
• I saw a dog on my way to work.
• She bought an umbrella because it was raining.

In these sentences, we are not talking about a particular dog or umbrella. Just any one.

Remember:
• Use a before words that begin with a consonant sound (a book, a teacher, a phone).
• Use an before words that begin with a vowel sound (an apple, an hour, an idea).

Notice that I said sound, not letter. For example, we say an hour because the h is silent.

2. Use “The” when the noun is specific

We use the when both the writer and the reader know exactly what we are talking about.

Example:
• I saw a dog yesterday. The dog was very big.
• She bought an umbrella. The umbrella is red.

In the first sentence, the noun is introduced. In the second sentence, we refer to that same noun again, so we use the.

3. Use “The” when something is unique

Some things are one of a kind, so we naturally use the.

Example:
• The sun
• The president
• The internet

There is only one in that context, so it becomes specific.

4. Sometimes we don’t use any article

In some cases, we don’t use a, an, or the at all. This often happens when we talk about things in a general sense.

Example:
• Books are important for learning.
• Water is essential for life.
• She loves music.

Adding an article here would change the meaning.

A simple tip for writers

When you finish writing something, quickly check your nouns and ask yourself two questions:
• Is this noun general or specific?
• Is this the first time I’m mentioning it?

Your answers will usually guide you to the correct article.

Articles may look small, but they play a big role in making your writing sound natural. Mastering them is one of the easiest ways to improve your English writing.

Different Types of Students You’ll Meet During Teaching 📚

After 8 years in the classroom, I can confidently say this:
No two students are the same.

Understanding the different types of learners doesn’t just make teaching easier — it makes it more effective.

Here are some common types of students every teacher will recognise:

1. The Over-Confident One
This student answers every question — even when they are not sure.
They don’t like silence in the class.
Sometimes they’re right. Sometimes… they are confidently wrong.

👉 As teachers, we guide them to balance confidence with accuracy.

2. The Quiet but Brilliant Student
Rarely talks. Avoids eye contact.
But once you call their name? Boom. Perfect answer.

👉 These students need a safe environment to express themselves. Confidence grows when they feel seen, not pressured.

3. The “I Don’t Understand Anything” Student
Even when you just explained it.
Even when you simplified it.
Even when you gave three examples.

But here’s the truth:
Most times, they are just afraid of being wrong.

👉 Patience and encouragement work better than frustration.

4. The Distracted One
Looking outside.
Drawing in the notebook.
Thinking about lunch.

It’s not always laziness. Sometimes it’s a short attention span or lack of engagement.

👉 Teaching strategy matters. Interaction brings them back.

5. The Note-Taking Machine
Writes everything. Even your jokes.
Their notebook looks like a printed textbook.

👉 These students value structure. But we must also teach them understanding, not just copying.

6. The Last-Minute Genius
Doesn’t seem serious all term.
Then scores high in the test.

👉 Intelligence is different from discipline. And both are important for long-term success.

What This Means for Teachers

Teaching is not just about delivering content.
It is about understanding personalities, learning styles, and emotional needs.

The goal is not just to finish the syllabus.
The goal is to reach the student.

As educators, especially those of us preparing students for exams like IELTS or internal assessments, we must teach the subject — and also teach the student.

Every classroom is a mixture of personalities.
And that is what makes teaching beautiful.

📘 IELTS Reading in 2026: Is It Harder or Just Different?

Lately, many of my students have been asking me:

“Ma, has IELTS Reading changed?”
“Is it harder now than before?”

Let’s talk about it honestly.

First of all, the structure hasn’t changed. It’s still 3 passages, 40 questions, 60 minutes. That part is the same as previous years.

But here’s what I’ve noticed…

The test now feels less “trick-based” and more skill-based.

Before, some candidates could rely heavily on keyword spotting and memorised strategies. You could almost predict certain patterns. In recent tests, especially going into 2026, it seems the examiners are rewarding deeper understanding. It’s not just about matching words anymore — it’s about truly understanding the writer’s idea.

Does that mean it’s harder?

Not exactly.

It means you can’t survive on shortcuts alone.

Compared to previous years:
• The format is the same.
• The timing pressure is still intense.
• The question types are familiar.

But the passages feel slightly more analytical. There’s more focus on inference, paraphrasing, and understanding arguments — especially for candidates aiming for Band 7 and above.

So how do you pass IELTS Reading in 2026?

Here’s what I tell my students:

✅ Stop chasing “magic tricks.” Build real reading skills.
✅ Practice reading academic articles, not just IELTS past questions.
✅ Work on vocabulary in context, not word lists in isolation.
✅ Master time management. 60 minutes goes faster than you think.

If you’re preparing for IELTS this year, don’t panic. The exam hasn’t become impossible. It simply rewards serious preparation.

And honestly? That’s a good thing.

If you’re currently preparing for IELTS, what band are you aiming for in Reading? Let’s talk in the comments 👇

STOP Mispronouncing These Words 😩❌

Let’s correct some common English pronunciation mistakes 👇

1️⃣ Pronunciation ❌ Pro-noun-ciation
✅ Pro-nun-ciation
There is NO “noun” inside pronunciation 😭

2️⃣ Comfortable ❌ Com-for-ta-ble
✅ Cumf-ter-ble
It has 3 syllables, not 4.

3️⃣ Wednesday ❌ Wed-nes-day
✅ Wenz-day
The “d” is silent.

4️⃣ Vegetable ❌ Ve-ge-ta-ble
✅ Vej-ta-ble
We don’t pronounce every syllable slowly like robots 🤖

5️⃣ Debt ❌ Deb-t
✅ Det
The “b” is silent.

6️⃣ Receipt ❌ Re-ceip-t
✅ Ri-seet
The “p” is silent.

7️⃣ Salmon ❌ Sal-mon
✅ Sa-mon
The “l” is silent.

8️⃣ Clothes ❌ Close
✅ Kloʊðz (cloh-dhz)
Don’t remove the “th” sound!

Tell me, which one have you been saying wrongly? Be honest 😭👇

Follow English With Liz for simple and practical English tips 💙

Happy New Month, my amazing people!

Welcome to March! a fresh start, a new page, another opportunity to grow, learn, and win.

This month, we are not procrastinating.
We are not doubting ourselves.
We are not saying, “I will start next week.”

We are starting NOW. 💪🏽

If February didn’t go as planned, don’t worry. Even the calendar said March forward. 😉

To my students and followers:
This month, we will speak better English.
We will learn new words.
We will laugh while learning.
And we will become more confident speakers.

Remember, growth is not always loud. Sometimes it’s small, consistent effort every day.

Let’s make March productive, profitable, and powerful! 🔥

Drop one goal you’re achieving this month 👇🏽
And if you’re ready to grow your English with me, stay tuned! we’re doing big things this month!

With love,
Learn English With Liz

“I’m a slow reader…” — and that’s not a weakness.

Let me tell you something as a teacher…

Being a slow reader does NOT mean you are not intelligent.
It does not mean you can’t pass IELTS.
It does not mean you won’t succeed academically.

It simply means you need a better strategy.

Some people read fast but understand nothing.
Some people read slowly but understand deeply.

Comprehension is not about speed.
It’s about understanding.

If you’re a slow reader, here’s how to improve your comprehension:
1. Stop timing yourself at first.
When you rush, your brain goes into panic mode. Focus on understanding one paragraph at a time.
2. Read with a pen.
Underline keywords. Circle unfamiliar words. Your brain stays more active when your hand is involved.
3. Ask questions while reading.
After each paragraph, ask:
– What is the main idea?
– Who is involved?
– What happened?
4. Summarize in one sentence.
If you can explain that paragraph in one simple sentence, you understand it.
5. Build vocabulary daily.
Many slow readers are actually just translating in their head. The more words you know, the faster you understand.

And for my IELTS students —
In exams like International English Language Testing System (IELTS), comprehension matters more than speed. Speed improves with practice. Understanding is the foundation.

So if you’re a slow reader, don’t be ashamed.

Train your brain.
Use strategy.
Practice consistently.

You’re not slow.
You’re just learning differently.

— Learn English With Liz