English for Success

03/01/2022

29/11/2021

✔ How to get a high score for your IELTS speaking test ✔

The IELTS speaking test comprises of 3 parts:

* Part 1.

You will have a 4 to 5 minute conversation with an IELTS examiner about yourself. Topics might include: work; family; home life; personal interests

* Part 2.

You will be given a card with a topic. You will be given one minute to take notes on the topic and will be given a pencil and paper to prepare your response, you will then speak on the topic for two minutes.

* Part 3.

You will have a conversation with the IELTS examiner around the topic given in part 2, discussing it in more detail. Part 3 should take approximately 4 to 5 minutes to complete.

👍 Here are some helpful tips for you:

✔ 1. Don't memorize answers

The examiner will be able to tell if you have memorized your answers and this may influence your final band score.

✔ 2. Don't use big and unfamiliar words

Use a range of vocabulary that you know and are comfortable with

🤔 3. Use a range of grammatical structures

When IELTS examiners assess your speaking skills, they mark you against the following assessment criteria:

* Fluency and coherence
* Lexical resource
* Grammatical range and accuracy
* Pronunciation

It is important to practice speaking about the past, the present and the future using correct tenses.

😬 4. Don't worry about your accent

Rather pay attention to pronunciation and intonation.

✔ 5. Pause to think

There is no harm in taking a brief pause to think about what to say. You can use the following phrases to give you time to think during the Speaking test:

* That's an interesting question
* I have never thought about that, but...
* Let me see
* That's a good point
* That's a difficult question, but I'll try and answer it
* Well, some people say that is the case, however I think...
* Let me think about that for a minute

🙄 6. Avoid using fillers

Avoid the following fillers:

* Like
* You know
* Umm...
* Ahh...
* Ehh...
* Well
* Yeah...

✔ 7. Extend your answers

Try and answer the examiner's questions in full.

😁 8. Smiling helps pronunciation

Smiling can help calm your nerves which in turn helps your pronunciation.

✔ 9. Don't speak in a monotone

Vary the stress and intonation to add emphasis

🤔 10. Practice common IELTS topics

Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test requires you to speak on a given topic for about 2 minutes. Practice common IELTS topics with friends, family or colleagues to improve and to learn vocabulary associated with each topic.

😉 Common topics you can practice for the Speaking test include:

* Tourism and travel
* Education
* Transport
* Environment
* Family life
* Sport and recreation
* Crime and punishment
* The internet
* Advertising and retail

👍 I hope this helps!

Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below

18/11/2021

Hi friends,

Here is one question I am often asked by my business English students:

🤷‍♂️ How do I grab the attention of my audience during a presentation?

Below is a short summary of my answer:

1. Surprise
Add an element of surprise, even something as simple as a loud noise snaps the mind to attention.

2. Cognitive Dissonance
Keep your audience guessing.

3. Storytelling
Share a unique story to hold their attention and make sure to tie it into your presentation.

4. Involve
Play a game, pose a question, solve a puzzle, or perform an exercise.

5. Senses.
The more senses (hearing, sight, taste, smell, and touch) you engage, the stronger the interest.

🤨 Does this make sense to you?

What else would you like to know about presentations?

Let me know in the comments.

16/11/2021

Hey friends,

Let’s address the Elephant in the room.

What elephant?!

Yes, I know how confusing some idioms can be.

Here is the meaning for Elephant in the room:
An obvious major problem or issue that people avoid discussing or acknowledging.

Example:
Our Company’s financial trouble is an elephant in the room. The boss never talks about it and we don’t discuss it at any meetings.

Have you ever experienced an elephant in the room?
I’d love to hear all about it, let me know in the comments below.