We all have a relationship with sport: we might watch it, play it or try our best to avoid it. Because it’s such an important subject you may find yourself being asked questions about sport in the IELTS Speaking exam. Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the … [Read more...] about Sports Vocabulary
Skills
Looking to improve your accuracy? Want advice on how to become more fluent? Need help developing your vocabulary? See what’s on offer below.
Technology Vocabulary
The subject of ‘Technology’ frequently comes up in the IELTS Speaking exam. You may be asked to talk about something you own, your favourite websites, how technology has impacted on education etc. You’ll need to show the examiner your ability to express yourself using as wide a range of vocabulary as possible. Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers … [Read more...] about Technology Vocabulary
Relationships Vocabulary
Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand. Part 1-style questions Examiner: Do you see your friends very often?Louisa: Yes … we meet up most weekends … we all get on really … [Read more...] about Relationships Vocabulary
Holiday Vocabulary
You probably know the meaning of individual words like ‘flight’, ‘tour’ and ‘view’. However, the key to showcasing your advanced English is to show you are able to use these individual words in combination with other words to form set phrases and expressions. Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the … [Read more...] about Holiday Vocabulary
Articles
A short video lesson on the definite and indefinite article For many students - particularly those whose native language doesn’t have definite or indefinite articles, using them correctly can be a bit challenging. This short video, written for IELTS students but useful for anyone at upper-intermediate to advanced level, looks at this area of English. Transcript for … [Read more...] about Articles
Verb Patterns
Welcome to this 10 minute video lesson on English verb patterns. English verbs are often followed by another verb or by an object plus a verb. Depending on what the first verb is, the pattern that follows can be completely different from one verb to the next. It's an area that many students find tricky. Check out our video lesson below, written for IELTS students but useful … [Read more...] about Verb Patterns
Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Another video looking at common mistakes made by upper-intermediate and advanced learners. 'The traffic are very bad in my area', 'At university I do a lot of researches', 'The landscapes change dramatically in my country'. Just some of the mistakes we've heard from students. Watch this video to practise this area of English. Transcript for 'Countable and Uncountable … [Read more...] about Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Word Order with Adverbs
Another common problem upper-intermediate and advanced learners have. A problem students often have when using adverbs is to put them in the wrong position in the statement. Watch this short video from our '10-Minute Grammar' series for some examples and how to avoid them. Transcript for 'Word Order with Adverbs' Welcome to the latest in our series of 10 minute … [Read more...] about Word Order with Adverbs
How to Confirm Understanding
Some useful expressions to make sure you're following someone. If you're being asked questions in an English exam, at work or at university, you need to be able to make sure you understand what the other person has asked you. Practise using some useful expressions from our '5 Minute Functions' video lesson below. This video was made with IELTS students in mind but will be … [Read more...] about How to Confirm Understanding
How to Agree and Disagree
Some useful expressions for conversations and discussions. If you're working with a partner in an English Speaking exam, or taking part in discussions at work or university, you'll want to be able to agree and disagree effectively. This short video from our '5 Minute Functions' series of lessons will help you do just this. Written for IELTS students, but ideal for anyone … [Read more...] about How to Agree and Disagree
How to Express an Opinion
Some useful expressions to express your views. Whether you're taking an English Speaking exam like FCE, CAE or CPE or using English in the workplace or at university, you will often find yourself having to give an opinion. Avoid using 'I think' again and again by learning some alternative phrases. The video below is part of our '5 Minute Functions' series of videos … [Read more...] about How to Express an Opinion
How to Speculate and Hypothesise
A key skill for advanced English speakers. You will be expected to show you can speculate in English if you're taking and advanced Speaking exam like CAE, CPE or IELTS. The same skills will be vital for people using English at work or university. Check out one of our 'Five Minute Functions' video lesson below. Aimed at IELTS students but appropriate for anyone wanting to … [Read more...] about How to Speculate and Hypothesise
Use Fillers to Improve Your Fluency
Short expressions that will help you reduce those pauses. This is another short lesson from our 'Five Minute Functions' series of videos. Avoid hesitating and become more fluent when responding to questions using fillers. Written for IELTS students, but equally useful for anyone wanting to become more fluent in English. Transcript for Using Fillers to Improve … [Read more...] about Use Fillers to Improve Your Fluency
How to Express Likes and Dislikes
And how to avoid repeating 'I like' ... 'I like ...' etc. Welcome to another of our 'Five Minute Functions' video lessons. This was produced for IELTS students but will be equally useful for any student preparing for an English Speaking exam like FCE, CAE or CPE or for anyone facing a situation where they have to talk about themselves in English. … [Read more...] about How to Express Likes and Dislikes
How to Compare and Contrast
You will often be required to compare and contrast things when you are speaking, whether in a conversation, taking an English Speaking exam or using English in the workplace or university. The video below is part of our '5-Minute Functions' series and was written for IELTS students. However, it will be equally useful for you whether you are taking IELTS or not. … [Read more...] about How to Compare and Contrast
Self-Assess Your Speaking Skills
Introduction There's no short cut to improving your general proficiency in English as measured by your use of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and fluency. Your English is currently at a particular level and this will only improve over time depending on the amount of practice you put in. This is why you need to take every opportunity both in class and during self-study to … [Read more...] about Self-Assess Your Speaking Skills
6 Common Grammar Mistakes
Introduction Have you noticed how some mistakes seem to hang around quite a while during your studies? Even at advanced level, after years of studying English, you find yourself making the same errors again and again. Having taught a huge number of English students over the years, I've noted how the following 6 types of grammatical mistakes are often made at this level - … [Read more...] about 6 Common Grammar Mistakes
Pronunciation: An Introduction
Check out the key areas to focus on Quite understandably, students often aspire to speak ‘perfect English’, including using pronunciation that doesn’t identify them as a non-native speaker. But what is perfect pronunciation?’ Are we talking about the Queens English or a national or regional variation? If you're taking an exam, the good news is the assessor will not be … [Read more...] about Pronunciation: An Introduction
Sentence Stress
Introduction English is a stress-timed language which means certain words and syllables within a statement are stressed. Listen to me saying the following statement. You should start to hear a rhythm: I try to eat a balanced diet. Now you try. The stressed syllables are as follows: I TRY to EAT a BALanced DIet. Practice Examine the following statements … [Read more...] about Sentence Stress
Pronunciation of ‘ed’ Verb Endings
Introduction The ‘ed’ endings of regular past tense verbs can be pronounced in three different ways: /t/ Example: ‘helped‘/d/ Example: ‘played’/id/ Example: ‘visited’ 1) How should the following verbs be pronounced? needed triedbooked shopped wanted picked stayedtravelled planned relaxedwalked hoped intended looked decidedloved enjoyed Check your answers … [Read more...] about Pronunciation of ‘ed’ Verb Endings