In this episode, we speak to Rob Hutchinson, an EAL (English as an additional language) tutor at Leeds Arts University. Rob shares top tips for communicating in English Language and study opportunities at Leeds Arts University.

We discuss:

Common mistakes people make in essay writing

Top tips for academic writing

Advice for non-native English speakers studying for IELTS

The best way to improve English vocabulary for non-native English speakers

Study opportunities for international students at Leeds Arts University

What is the community like for international students?

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify |

 

In this episode, we discuss linking words and how they can improve your IELTS score.

Listen to this episode and you will learn:

What are linking words

Examples of linking words

How to use linking words correctly (with sentence examples)

Why linking words are important

How linking words improve your writing and speaking.

Join many other students who have achieved success with our IELTS online course, click here to learn more.

Listen to the full tutorial below:

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify|

 

In this tutorial, we confirm those popular rumours you have heard about the IELTS writing exam.

The one thing about IELTS Writing that all IELTS test takers believe. 

The Writing Test is the most difficult of the four parts of the exam. Reading, Listening and Speaking are not so hard. If we just check the average band scores obtained by IELTS candidates, it’s true!

Do you want the numbers? I can give you the numbers. In the year 2019, the overall band score in IELTS Academic was 6.1. And if we break down the overall band scores in the four areas, we see: Reading 6.2, Listening 6.2, Speaking 5.9 and finally, Writing 5.7.

Now, those numbers are taking IELTS as a whole and, of course, there are variations according to where you are in the world and, especially, what your first language is. In those countries where there is more contact as it were, with English, for whatever reason, business, culture, geographical proximity, linguistic similarities between the native language and English, it is hardly surprising that band scores are a little higher than where these similarities or contacts are not felt so strongly. 

Let’s take 5 common languages, for example, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Hindi. 

For French speakers, the overall band score is 6.7 and in writing 5.9.

Spanish is very similar: 6.6 overall and again 5.9 in writing. 

On the whole, 2 European languages are relatively close to English in many aspects: grammar, vocabulary, in the ways in which we express our ideas in writing, and so on. 

Arabic, however, drops to a 5.6 overall and just 5.2 in writing. Chinese speakers do a little better, however with scores of 5.9 overall and 5.5 in writing. Not bad but still about three-quarters of a point less overall and around a pointless in writing compared to French and Spanish speakers. 

What about Hindi? We have to remember that a high proportion of Hindi speakers receive at least a part of their education in English and the fact that English is used throughout India and so the overall score for Hindi speakers is 6.4 and in writing they score better than the French and Spanish speakers. The average is 6.0.

What does any of this tell us about the IELTS Writing exam?

It gives you a clear, general idea of what you are up against. I know I’ve only mentioned a few languages here but there’s no time to go through the entire list! 

If you’re interested go to www.ielts.org and search for test statistics or test-taker performance. 

Right, you know what I would do with these statistics, with these numbers? I’d go straight to check out how my fellow native language speakers score, then get some professional feedback on my own performance levels in all 4 areas. Once I have the feedback, I’d work hard at proving that statistics are just another type of lie. I’d do my very best to go way beyond these averages and guarantee that I get at least a point or more above the average overall. In writing, I’d set my aim at a minimum of 7. 

In fact, I would also use these averages to my advantage. I mentioned that the differences could be an indication of some kind of distance between any given language and English itself. That distance might be the way we put our thoughts together on paper (writing and reading) or out loud (speaking and listening). 

For example, some researchers have pointed out that when we write in English in formal academic style English, a style we are supposed to use in the IELTS exam, we write in a very direct way …we build the text in paragraphs. Each paragraph has its main idea …to put it simply …and it will be supported by evidence, that is to say, examples.

 

In this episode, we speak to Steve from Global Banking School in the UK about study opportunities for international students at their seven campuses across four of the UK’s most exciting cities and an international campus in Dubai.

We discuss:

Why you should study at Global Banking School UK

Which GBS campus is popular among international students

New travel regulations with Brexit and Covid

Academic Support and facilities available for students

How GBS cares for student wellbeing 

What the GBS Dubai campus is known for

If you’re a prospective international student and need to pass for university then we can (and will) guarantee you IELTS success.

Click here to start your IELTS course.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify |

 

In this tutorial, we review recent speaking questions and sample answers of IELTS questions as seen in the exam in 2022.

Each sample answer aims to have: 

* a list of high-level vocabulary 

* a natural-sounding easy to learn expression 

* a higher level grammatical construction 

See the questions below and listen to the full tutorial for sample answers.

* Describe a person who contributes to the society

Who this person is?

How do you know him/her?

What type of work does he/she do?

And explain why you think he/she contributes to society?

Describe a rule that you do not like. You should say:

what it is

why you do not like it

how others feel about the rule

and explain whether you have followed the rule.

Describe a gift you would like to buy for your friend. You should say:

what gift you would like to buy

who you would like to give it to

why you would like to buy a gift for your friend

and explain why you choose that gift.

Describe a habit your friend has and you want to develop. You should say:

who your friend is

what habit does your friend has

when you notice this habit

and explain why you want to develop this habit.

Improve your speaking for the IELTS exam, enrol in our speaking confidence course.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Transcript

 

There are some common thoughts that may come to your mind when you see an IELTS writing task 2 question. You may be thinking:

“My mind is blank”

“I don’t know this topic”

“I don’t know where to start” 

In this tutorial, we are helping with this common challenge by answering new IELTS writing questions as seen in the exam in 2022.

Each sample answer aims to give you ideas on how to answer writing questions and create:

An introduction

A body

A conclusion

Read the new questions below

Some people think that the best way to succeed in life is to get a university education, while others disagree and say that it is no longer true nowadays. Discuss both views and give your own opinions.

Information technology is changing many aspects of our lives and now dominates our home, leisure and work activities. To what extent do the benefits of information technology outweigh the disadvantages?

Some people think that schools are no longer necessary because people can acquire information on the Internet. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

There is too much noise in many public places in cities. What are the causes of this problem? What can be done to solve the problem?

Join many other students who have achieved success with our IELTS online course, click here to learn more.

Listen to the full tutorial for sample essay questions, answers and IELTS vocabulary:

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify| Transcript

 

In this episode, Ben discusses with ex-IELTS examiner Rob about advanced grammar to use in your IELTS speaking exam.

You will learn:

The one thing that impresses an examiner more than anything else.

The most straightforward thing you need to work on to improve your speaking

How your grammar errors/mistakes affect your speaking score

A common type of sentence that can help your grammar sound more advanced

To improve your speaking fast, enrol in our Speaking confidence course.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify

 

Meet Icaro!

Icaro is an ambitious and smart student from Curichiba, Brazil.

He needed Band 8 overall with 8 in listening and at least 7 in other modules to migrate to Canada.

He first took the IELTS test two years ago and scored a Band 7, then started to prepare in a local language centre.

At the centre, he was totally disappointed and decided the teachers were pretty ….useless.

Because he drives a lot he decided to search Spotify for some IELTS help and discovered IELTS Podcast.

He took the test again and scored higher (just from listening to the tips), then eventually bought the Jump to Band 7 or its Free course and started preparing seriously and effectively.

Icaro followed our advice and got a big improvement in his scores from 6.5 to 7.5 in IELTS Writing and 6.0 to 8.0 in IELTS Speaking.

He boosted his speaking score by two bands -just from applying our speaking confidence tips.

Then he made light work of the IELTS Writing Task by applying the new C2 Template to his essay structure.

Icaro will now start his application to Canada, and will soon be in Ottawa!

Listen to the full tutorial to learn:

How our online course helped open his mind to the mistakes he was making.

How the course improved his confidence for the exam

An unexpected tip that helped improve his reading skills.

Good luck Icaro and congratulations on your fantastic IELTS results!!

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Transcript

 

In this episode, we talk with ex examiner Rob about the four different types of questions you can get in IELTS speaking part 3.

Listen to this tutorial to find out how to answer questions on:

* change

* the future

* benefits and drawbacks

* hypotheses

Enrol in our Speaking Confidence course today to improve your confidence, pronunciation and fluency in expressing ideas!

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify |

 

In this tutorial, we discuss how to write powerful sentences for IELTS writing task 2.

We are going to find out all about: 

What makes a powerful sentence?

How to break over-complex sentences down;

How to build broken sentence patterns up;

How to put the main point at the beginning of a sentence;

How to prevent the main point from being buried in the middle of a sentence;

How to create a satisfying rhythm in a persuasive sentence.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify |