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  What do we think of the Cambridge IELTS 16 Letters?

  01 March 2022

  Hey everyone! I don’t know if I have been under a rock for the last month, but a student brought it to my attention this week that he new IELTS Cambridge 16 General Training book has been published. That means we have four new full tests to use to hone our IELTS skills. Honestly, though, the first section that I always turn to is the writing exam. I mean, nothing is more exciting than having 4 brand new essay questions to analyse, right? Well, almost nothing! This time I found it was the letters that caught my attention more! So, in today’s episode, join Nick and I as we look at the Cambridge IELTS 16 letters!

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  IELTS paragraph writing: Part 2

  15 February 2022

  Last week, we looked at the basics of IELTS paragraph writing. We discussed what paragraphs are and the importance of unity. We also took a deep-dive into how you can write a paragraph that contains two ideas. If you have not listened to that episode yet, I strongly recommend that you go back and complete it before progressing onto this one.

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  How to build an IELTS paragraph: Part 1

  08 February 2022

  Being able to construct a paragraph is perhaps the most fundamental IELTS writing skill. If you are able to start with a clear topic sentence and then build a logical argument, you are almost guaranteed to receive a high score for Task Response and Coherence (and you have a good chance of a high one for Coherence and Cohesion too!) Today, Nick and I start with the basic question “What is a paragraph?” and end by showing you how being specific in your arguments can increase your score. However, there is a lot in between, including how to structure an IELTS paragraph that includes two ideas.

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  IELTS Essay Questions 2022

  25 January 2022

  Can you hear the trumpets playing? Yes, back by popular demand, today Nick and I break down the first IELTS essay questions 2022. As always, we will choose 6 essay topics that have been reported from recent exams that we think are difficult, and offer you our arguments and tips for organisation.

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  A new type of IELTS line graph 2021?

  18 January 2022

  In 2020, Nick and I recorded an episode of the podcast that gave you a complete fool-proof system for tackling any type of IELTS line graph. We went through the basics, such as the vocabulary you need to describe changes and how to organise your paragraphs, to more complex advice such as how to find key features and write your specific details from start to finish. Plus, we also looked at a new type of key feature that IELTS had recently started using and no other teacher was talking about. In other words, I felt like we had recorded the ultimate guide to IELTS line graphs, and we would never have to talk about them again. Then came the IELTS line graph 2021!

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  IELTS Architecture Vocabulary

  11 January 2022

  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 fill in 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 IELTS architecture vocabulary, and then show you how you can utilise Google to find essay ideas.

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  How to tackle the dreaded IELTS table

  04 January 2022

  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 IELTS table.

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  Analysing IELTS Essay Questions

  16 November 2021

  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 IELTS essay questions to make sure they 100% understand what exactly they are being asked to address. This is a mistake!

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  IELTS Error Correction – Using the final 5 minutes of the Writing Test Effectively

  02 November 2021

  You put down your pen. The essay and report / letter are written. Yes! But there are still 3 or 4 minutes left on the exam clock What do you do in this time? The temptation may be to read through your essay from start to finish to check for errors, but is this really the most efficient way to find your errors? And which mistakes should you actively be looking for? Find out today as Nick and I talk IELTS error correction! 

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  Language for IELTS compare essays

  20 October 2021

  You can guarantee that some point during your IELTS exam, you will need to demonstrate that you can make good comparisons. Interestingly, although the language of comparison is introduced at an Elementary level in most English course books, this is something that many high-level students still struggle with. Today, Nick and describe 4 ways that you can make comparisons in IELTS compare essays, and then show how the same techniques can be used to good effect in the speaking test (which Nick giving a masterful demonstration of how to answer some Part 3 questions)!

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