TopTips
New Year’s Resolutions
Happy new year! At this time of year most of us are looking to the future. As one year ends and another begins, it is good to take stock (= examine a situation), look back at what you have achieved and look forward to what you would like to achieve in the coming year.
20 December, 2020
Listening
Understanding the IELTS Listening test
My students spend a lot of time worrying about IELTS Speaking and Writing and forget that they need to prepare for the IELTS Listening and Reading tests too! In fact, I am often surprised by how little people know about the IELTS Listening test. So today I am going to share with you the basics of the IELTS Listening Test. Hopefully this blog post will give you the facts you need, some tips for how to use sample questions and practise tests to prepare.
17 December, 2020
Writing
Grammar Essentials: Subject and Verb Agreement
To get a good band score in IELTS it is important that your written and spoken language is accurate. As teachers we are always telling our students to check their subject-verb agreements but for many this is a real challenge. Don't worry though, I am here to help! Like most grammar challenges it can be overcome with a few rules and a bit of practice.
11 December, 2020
Speaking
Everyday English: Ordering Coffee
Preparing for your IELTS test is really important, but what about real life English? Could you order a coffee in a busy coffee shop? Sounds simple I know but even the most advanced English users can stumble when it comes to this.
20 November, 2020
Speaking
Talking about your hometown
When we meet new people, especially people from other parts of the world, it's natural to be curious about where they come from. Where did you grow up? In a huge metropolitan city, a tiny farming village, a tourist spot in the mountains?
16 November, 2020
TopTips
8 websites to help you prepare for IELTS
In this blog I want to share some of my favourite websites and apps with you to help your IELTS preparation. These links are not all IELTS focussed, some of them are just for fun, and yes, I know that you're preparing for IELTS and that you're focussed on the test, but it's equally important to work on your general English.
6 November, 2020