Struggling with brainstorming ideas for the CELPIP exam is a common challenge faced by many test takers. This episode addresses the importance of recognizing that you already have the ability to think quickly and respond in conversations, even if it feels daunting in an exam setting.

I'll highlight practical strategies to help you improve your brainstorming skills, such as keeping a journal to boost creativity and vocabulary.

Engaging in new experiences and conversations with native English speakers can also help you adapt to thinking on your feet. By embracing these techniques, you can improve your quick thinking abilities and feel more confident during the CELPIP exam.

Takeaways:

• Many test takers struggle with brainstorming during the CELPIP exam, so you're not alone.
• The pressure of the CELPIP exam can lead to overthinking, making it harder to brainstorm.
• Writing by hand improves memory and creativity, which can help brainstorming skills.
• Engaging in spontaneous conversations with native speakers can enhance quick thinking abilities.
• Regularly putting yourself in new situations can boost your creative thinking skills.
• Keeping a journal can be a practical way to develop creativity and language skills.

Links Mentioned Today

Why Writing By Hand Beats Typing For Thinking and Learning (NPR.org)

Other links of interest:

Three ways that handwriting with a pen positively affects your brain. (Forbes.com)

Why writing by hand is better for your brain. (Psychology Today)

IF you've ever wondered how to learn English grammar, then this is the episode for you. I will take you through 3 practical tips that will help you begin developing your grammar skills painlessly and naturally.

And here's a big spoiler: memorizing grammar rules isn't the best way to do this!

Key Takeaways:

• Use grammar books as reference guides rather than just memorization tools for effective learning.
• Reading frequently allows you to notice and understand grammar rules in context naturally.
• Pay attention to spoken English around you to learn grammar without formal study.
• Applying grammar rules immediately after learning them helps to solidify your understanding and memory.
• Notice sentence structures in your reading and aim to replicate them in your writing.
• Use your grammar book to clarify any confusion about how native speakers use certain phrases.

Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter for more helpful tips!

Have you ever felt like you've got so many challenges to overcome in your CELPIP prep that you feel stuck?

Today I'll be answering a listener's question that revolves around some of her major obstacles that has her feeling stuck. If you want some friendly supportive encouragement to get you moving again, then this episode is for you!

We're going to talk about:

• How to sound natural when you speak in English and for the exam
• How to deal with anxiety with preparation
• And how to learn new words, phrasal verbs and connecting words

Takeaways:

• Practice speaking into a microphone or recording device to feel more natural during the exam.
• Use personal experiences in your answers to sound more authentic and relatable.
• Don’t stress over your accent; focus on clear expression of your ideas instead.
• Regularly write down new vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and connectors to build your language skills.
• Engage with English conversations around you to discover new words organically in context.
• Prepare thoroughly for the CELPIP exam to build self-confidence and reduce anxiety on test day.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Grab your free checklist to help you remember and practice what we've talked about today.
• E-mail me if you'd like me to feature your question in a future episode: aaron(at)celpipsuccess.com
• celpip.ca Go to celpip.ca and signup for a free account. This will give you access to two free practice exams.

Are you preparing for CELPIP speaking task 8 and feeling uncertain about how to describe unusual images or objects?

This podcast episode offers a practical five-step process to help you tackle this challenge with confidence.

Today's episode will guide you through essential strategies to help you respond to this task with ease, including:

• Providing an initial overview,
• Dividing the image into manageable parts, and
• Maintaining variety in your descriptions

By following these steps, you'll be better equipped to convey your thoughts clearly, which will help your listener to visualize what you're describing, even if they aren't present. Listen to learn how to improve your speaking skills and ace this important task!

• The board game Cranium uniquely challenges players to use imagination and creativity in fun ways.
• Describing an object requires a clear overview and detailed descriptions of distinct sections.
• Utilizing variety in descriptive language is vital to keep your listener engaged and informed.
• Practicing timed responses helps in managing speaking tasks effectively during the CELPIP exam.
• Imagining dividing the object into sections can help streamline your description process.
• The importance of flexibility in communication during the exam cannot be overstated for success.

Your 5 Strategy Checklist: Grab your free cheat sheet here so you can follow along with me.

Podcast episodes mentioned:

• Master the Essentials for CELPIP Speaking Tasks 3 and 4
• 3 Strategies To Succeed On CELPIP Speaking Task 3: Describing An Image

Effective communication is an art, particularly when it comes to expressing opinions in a way that resonates with others.

Today I'll introduce you to some of the critical skills needed for CELPIP Speaking Task 7, Expressing Opinions.

You'll learn about the importance of honesty paired with creativity, and why you should draw from personal experiences while also being imaginative when necessary.

We'll also talk about the essential strategies for tackling this speaking task, including the importance of staying on topic, using time effectively, and ensuring responses are well-structured with clear arguments.

To finish off, we'll talk about transition words that can help you improve the flow of your responses.

Takeaways:

• Practice expressing your opinion on various topics to prepare for speaking task seven.
• Use your brainstorming time wisely to organize thoughts before recording your answer.
• Support your opinion with at least three reasons and specific examples for clarity.
• Transition words are essential to connect ideas and create a cohesive response.
• Stay on topic throughout your response to avoid getting sidetracked during the exam.
• Be honest in your opinion and don't worry about whether your answer is right or wrong.

Links referenced in this episode:

Enroll in the CELPIP Success school! Listeners to my podcast get a 25% discount for as long as they remain a member.

• celpipsuccess.com/resources

Mentioned in this episode:

Let's work together to prepare for the CELPIP Exam

If you're tired of working on your own to prepare for the CELPIP Exam, and if you're looking for friendly personal support - then you need to check out this opportunity! You'll get weekly assignments that will help you practice each of the 4 skills tested on the CELPIP.

Are you looking for effective ways to enhance your English learning journey? This episode reveals three key strategies that can significantly accelerate your progress.

First, the importance of persistence is highlighted; many learners give up too soon, forgetting that proficiency comes with time and practice.

Next, consistency is emphasized; even short, daily study sessions can lead to substantial improvements. Lastly, focusing on activities that align with your language goals will keep you motivated and help you make the most of your practice time.

Join me to hear some insights from a fascinating interview with a polyglot, offering practical tips to conquer the challenges of learning English and preparing for the CELPIP exam.

Takeaways:

• Learning a new language takes time and persistence; giving up too soon hinders progress.
• Consistency in your study routine, even in small increments, yields significant long-term results.
• Focus on activities that directly contribute to your language goals for better motivation.
• Adapting to a new culture while learning a language can be a challenging journey.
• Surrounding yourself with speakers of your target language helps to improve fluency.
• Utilizing daily activities to practice English can fit language learning into your busy life.

I will address the common struggle of language learners who seek quick solutions to improve their English skills. I will begin by acknowledging the frustration that many feel when progress seems slow and you'll discover that while there are no shortcuts, there are effective strategies that can enhance the learning process.

Links referenced in this episode:

• cellpipsuccess.com/resources Grab today's free resource worksheet.
• The 3 secrets of adult language learning with Elisa Polese From the Story Learning podcast that I referenced.
• You cannot manage time - by John Maxwell. (Youtube.)
• Time Flies - by John Maxwell. (Blog post).

Mentioned in this episode:

Let's work together to prepare for the CELPIP Exam

If you're tired of working on your own to prepare for the CELPIP Exam, and if you're looking for friendly personal support - then you need to check out this opportunity! You'll get weekly assignments that will help you practice each of the 4 skills tested on the CELPIP.

If you find yourself feeling down and discouraged about your CELPIP score or your slow immigration process here in Canada, then this episode is for you...

In this episode of the Speak English Fearlessly podcast, I'll share my recent struggles with transitioning course platforms for the CELPIP Success School, detailing the challenges and frustrations faced.

I'll emphasizes the importance of acknowledging feelings of discouragement, seeking support from others, and taking small, consistent steps toward goals.

I'll conclude with encouragement from personal experiences, practical advice for overcoming obstacles, and a spiritual perspective to uplift you.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Struggles

02:08 Welcome to Speak English Fearlessly

02:49 Understanding Your Frustration

05:33 The Importance of Support

08:59 Taking Small Steps Forward

12:49 Spiritual Encouragement

17:22 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Listen to today's episode for two practical ideas that will help you develop your English skills faster.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• The importance of shortening the time between your practice sessions and,
• Varying your learning context to expose yourself to different environments and people which will force you to use different vocabulary and phrases in English.

Each tip is explained with examples and backed by research from Cambridge University, aiming to help you improve your language skills more effectively.

Make sure you subscribe to my free weekly newsletter - I'll help you review what we covered in this week's podcast, and point you to resources that I don't mention anywhere else.

How long does it take to learn a language? - Ben Knight.

Cambridge University Study Knight references.

Our Chemical Senses: Olfaction - learn a little more about Olfactory Fatigue. *Yes, it's a real thing! :)

Take my quick survey.

00:00 Introduction: The Quest to Learn English Faster

01:29 Welcome to Speak English Fearlessly

02:11 Understanding Motivated Learners

03:14 Behavior 1: Shorten Time Between Practice Sessions

07:45 Behavior 2: Change Your Learning Context

13:09 Conclusion and Recap

FAQ: How Can I Improve My Speaking Skills in English - and for the CELPIP?

In this mini episode of the Speak English Fearlessly podcast, I'm going to talk about one of the most frequently asked questions that I get: how to increase one's speaking score on the CELPIP exam.

• You'll learn if it's possible to increase your score from a 6 to a 9 in a short period of time.
• Is there a realistic period of time it would take?
• What you should be doing to see significant improvement in your speaking skills in English.

Get my free weekly newsletter where you'll get a deeper look at what I covered in the podcast, as well as extra tips and strategies to help you develop your English skills. Go here to subscribe - it's free!

Links mentioned:

https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2018/10/11/how-long-learn-language/

00:00 Introduction: Improving Your CELPIP Speaking Skills

02:09 Understanding Your Current English Level

02:52 The Time Commitment for Improvement

07:31 Practical Tips for Daily English Practice

10:42 Avoiding Common Pitfalls

13:00 Conclusion: Setting Realistic Expectations

What To Do After You Freeze And Forget What To Say In English

Freezing in an English conversation or during the CELPIP exam can be nerve-racking and can totally bring your confidence down to zero.

In this episode of the Speak English Fearlessly podcast, you'll learn practical tips and strategies to overcome one of the most commonly held fears: speaking in front of someone else.

I'll share a time that I froze in public while I was learning Spanish, and pass on the lessons that I Iearned from it - and yes, you do survive such embarrassing moments! (I have plenty I could tell you about!)

Listen to get three introvert-approved techniques to handle those awful moments when you freeze and forget everything you thought you knew about English!

Sign up for my free weekly newsletter right here.

The National Social Anxiety Center - Public Speaking Anxiety

University of Florida - Public Speaking: Getting beyond the fear through the three P's

00:00 Introduction: The Fear of Freezing in English Conversations

01:59 Welcome to the Speak English Fearlessly Podcast

03:54 Personal Story: Overcoming Freezing Moments in Spanish

08:24 Practical Tips to Overcome Freezing in English

17:24 Bonus Tip: Handling Shyness in English Conversations

18:37 Conclusion and Encouragement