We all have topics that we are familiar with in IELTS . But, there are also other topics which we may meet with a blank mind. So, what can you do to feel your knowledge gaps. In today’s episode Nick and I will look at a difficult topic for us – housing.

We will start by covering some fundamental vocabulary and then, show you how you can utilise Google to find essay ideas. Plus, this will give us a chance to see  indirect vocabulary learning in action. Hopefully, by the end of the lesson, you will understand why this is a much better method than searching for model essays.

You can read more about today's episode at: https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-architecture-vocabulary/

In this episode, we will 

1. give you some basic architecture lexis
2. show you how to search for essay ideas online
3. explain how you can find good collocations and topic specific lexis while searching for ideas 

Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/

Useful Links 

• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://mailchi.mp/myieltsclassroom/examiner-guide-to-ielts-band-descriptors
• Learn more about learning lexis here: https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/learning-vocabulary-for-ielts/

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

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In IELTS Writing Task One, you will be asked to write a report based on a chart. These can come in a number of forms. You may be given a line graph, a pie chart, a bar chart, or even a map or a process. However, one chart that strikes fear into the heart of most students is the dreaded table.

Tables can be confusing as they can contain an overwhelming amount of data and it is not always clear what key features need to be included in the overview. However, in today’s episode, Nick and I will show you a simple strategy that will help you tackle any type of table with confidence.

This is an interactive lesson, so make sure you have this webpage open as you listen so you can see the charts and follow the class -   https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-table/

In this episode, you will learn:

1. teach you how to find the key features for a change chart table and a compare chart table using three comparison points (time, category, and item)
2. explain how you can divide items into your own categories
3. show you how to group items correctly if you have a lot of data to cover in your report 

Useful Links 

• Watch the first three lessons in my Academic Task 1 video course: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/categories/academic-writing-task-1
• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://mailchi.mp/myieltsclassroom/examiner-guide-to-ielts-band-descriptors
• Listen to our similar lesson for line graphs: https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-line-graphs/

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com

Support the show

Hey! As the year draws to an end, it is time to sit back and reflect on what 2021 brought for IELTS test-takers. Obviously, there have been difficulties. Many test centres around the world have remained closed thanks to COVID, and migration programmes, particularly express entry into Canada, have been hit hard.

However, despite the havoc caused by the pandemic, this has been the most successful year to date here at My IELTS Classroom. Our podcast has grown significantly, with more that twice as many listeners tuning in each week in December as there was in January.

Today, Nick and I look back at 2021 to discuss what we feel were the highs and lost for test-takers.

In this episode, we will discuss

• The best and worst Speaking Part One questions in 2021 
• The best and worst Speaking Cue Card questions  in 2021 
• The best and worst IELTS essay questions in 2021  
• The best My IELTS Classroom podcast episodes in 2021
• Our predictions for what lies ahead in IELTS 2022

Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon

Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://mailchi.mp/myieltsclassroom/examiner-guide-to-ielts-band-descriptors

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show

Yes - it is time for our annual Christmas episode! This year, I have taken some of my favourite Christmas games and adapted them to test your knowledge of IЕLTS. It is nothing too serious, so if your test is soon and you are looking for some genuine lessons, you can access over 100 in our archive here.

However, it is good to sometimes let your hair down. It has been a long year. COVID is still causing havoc with tests and, as a result, migrating or studying abroad is still far more complicated than it should be. Today, we try to counter that slightly but offering a brief window of fun.

You can read more about today's episode at:  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/iеlts-christmas-quiz-2021/

Useful Links 

• If you are just starting IELTS, then follow our free starters' guide: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/start-preparing-for-ielts/
• Struggling with writing? The sign up for one of our video courses:  https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/catalog
• Download my free ebook - An ex-examiner's guide to the IELTS Band Descriptors: https://mailchi.mp/myieltsclassroom/examiner-guide-to-ielts-band-descriptors

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com

Support the show

Do you have enough topic specific vocabulary to discuss the essay topics in depth. Can you  follow the listening or reading passages easily? Can you discuss the abstract topics in Speaking Part 3 with ease? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then you are probably interested in upgrading your vocabulary.

However, what is the best way to learn new lexis? And how much can you realistically learn in one month, or two, or six? That is what Nick and I will be discussing on this week's podcast! Join us as we  combine our experience teaching with the results of academic research to make learning vocabulary for IELTS as easy for you as we can.

You can read more about today's episode at: https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/learning-vocabulary-for-ielts/

In this episode, we will 

1. look at common reasons why some words are more difficult to learn than others
2. discuss the role of translation in learning lexis
3. explain the direct and indirect methods of learning lexis
4. give clear examples of how you can use flashcards effectively 

Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/

Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://mailchi.mp/myieltsclassroom/examiner-guide-to-ielts-band-descriptors

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show

In today’s podcast, Nick and I are going to interview two of our new teachers, Kristina and Tanya, about their experience teaching metacognition for IELTS learners. This is a technique that I was introduced to only recently, but one which I think has the potential to transform the way many students prepare for IELTS (and, indeed, learn throughout their lives)

I am really very excited to be sharing this episode today, but I also know that metacognition may be a new concept for many listeners, so I have written a short introduction to help you become familiar with the subject before you listen to the interview. You can read the introduction here:   https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/metacognition-for-ielts-learners/

I promise you, no single episode of the My IELTS Classroom Podcast  has the potential to change the way you learn as much as this one, so it really is worth taking the time to gather some background information before you press play to understand the importance of metacognition for IELTS learners.

In this episode, we will 

1. Introduce the concept of metacognition
2. interview Kristina and Tanya about their experience using metacognition in class
3. Introduce you to three simple techniques that will get you using metacognition today

Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/

Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://mailchi.mp/myieltsclassroom/examiner-guide-to-ielts-band-descriptors

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show

Last week Nick and I looked at how effective video courses can be. The answer was "very" but only if you are actually actively partaking in the course. What we didn't discuss though is how you can make sure that your online course is actually guiding you in the right direction. Thanks to COVID, it seems like hundreds of now courses have sprung up overnight, which makes it hard than ever for students to choose a good. 

Today, we will look at some simple questions you can  ask yourself before signing up to  IELTS course to make sure that you are using your time and money wisely.

Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/

Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://mailchi.mp/myieltsclassroom/examiner-guide-to-ielts-band-descriptors

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way. 

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show

Never before has IELTS students had so much free material to learn from. But is having so many  free IELTS videos, really helping students to prepare for the test in the best way or could thy actually be having a detrimental effect on some students' preparation? Today, Nick and I discus the dangers of watching IELTS videos and give clear advice about how to make the most of online content.

You can read more about today's episode at:   https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-videos

In this episode, we will look at how IELTS videos

1. can give you a sense of over-confidence
2. can lead you to practice less instead of more
3. can make you think that they exam is easier than it is

Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/

Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://mailchi.mp/myieltsclassroom/examiner-guide-to-ielts-band-descriptors

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom

If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way. 

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show

Every week I get questions from students asking how they can generate good ideas for essays. Usually, my advice starts from the point of thinking of ideas, but this week I realised that many students are skipping a vital step before that - analysing the question to make sure that their arguments100% address the question given. This is a mistake!

Today, Nick and I look at 6 common types of question that are often misinterpreted by students. We will show you what he words are that signal these questions and the ramification that has for the ideas that you will brainstorm. After all, if you don't understand the question correctly, there is a high chance you will go in completely the wrong direction and end up with a 6.0 for Task Response.

You can read more about today's episode at:  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/analysing-ielts-essay-questions/

In this episode, we will 

1. look at 6 common key words in questions that students often overlook and which can affect your score for Task Response

Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/

Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://mailchi.mp/myieltsclassroom/examiner-guide-to-ielts-band-descriptors

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show

Using inversion in IELTS writing can definitely improve your GRA score, but many students make basic errors when forming these sentences, and even more struggle to use them in the appropriate context. Join Nick and I today to find out how to make 5 types of inversion sentence and how and when to use them in the IELTS exam.

You can read more about today's episode at:  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/inversion-ielts-writing/

In this episode, we will 

1. go through the basics of question forming so you have the foundation to start using inversion 
2. explain how to form sentence that start with "not only"
3. look at 5 other types of inversion to show you how to make them and when to use them

Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/

Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://mailchi.mp/myieltsclassroom/examiner-guide-to-ielts-band-descriptors

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show