Tag: IELTS speaking

The words IELTS Speaking Part 3 sit next to the Album cover for the My IELTS Classroom album cover

My IELTS Classroom Podcast Episodes 33 and 34: IELTS Speaking Part 3

Posted on by Shelly

IELTS Speaking Part 3 In IELTS Speaking Part 3, the focus moves away from you to the world around you. This means that you will have to be able to speak about abstract topics, which is not easy even for high-level test takers. In the episode above, Nick and I explain how to approach these questions well by looking at the types of question you will be asked, the common topics covered, and the right and wrong way to answer the questions in this part of the test. Plus, if you scroll to the end of this blog post, you can find the second episode where we analyse 5 students attempts at Part 3 to say what they are doing[…]

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My IELTS Classroom Podcast 16: IELTS Cue Card Feedback

Posted on by Shelly

IELTS Cue Card Feedback Hey! This week we have something different! Last week, I sent out a call on social media for our listeners to record themselves attempting three speaking part two questions. So today, Nick and I will be giving IELTS cue card feedback. This is a great opportunity for you to learn how your speaking performance will be judged by the examiner. Trust me –  it is one thing to learn about the IELTS speaking band descriptors in theory, but it is quite another to hear a test-taker speaking and then an examiner’s feedback (well, two ex-examiners in our case!). So, sit back and enjoy today’s episode (and if you want to take part in the next event[…]

The My IELTS podcast logo site next to the words 6 Common Errors in IELTS Speaking Part 1

My IELTS Classroom Podcast 11: IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Six Common Mistakes

Posted on by Shelly

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Six Common Mistakes Although the first part of the IELTS speaking test should be the easiest as you are asked questions all about yourself, you still want to make sure that you get off to a strong start. So, today, Nick and I look at six common errors that students make in IELTS Speaking Part 1 and how you can avoid them. Below, you can find a summary of the episode. This includes all of the links to useful materials and the times of each part of the discussion (so you can go directly to the part you want to listen to). You can also find every episode of the podcast here 🚀 Subscribe to My IELTS Classroom podcast[…]

The podcast thumbnail for My IELTS Classroom Podcast sits on the left of the picture, next to the words IELTS 101: An Introduction to IELTS Speaking

My IELTS Classroom Podcast 2: Introduction to IELTS Speaking

Posted on by Shelly

Introduction to IELTS Speaking Welcome to the second lesson in our IELTS 101 series – an introduction to IELTS speaking. This should be a fantastic episode for anybody who is just starting their IELTS preparation as Nick and I describe what happens in each part of the test and what the examiner is looking for in your performance (remember, we are both ex-IDP examiners, so you can 100% trust everything we say!)

The outline of two heads lit up in neon constantly point at each other in anger. The picture is used to symbolise how a student feels when the examiner interrupts them in the IELTS exam by an examiner

Why did the IELTS examiner interrupt me in my Speaking Test?

Posted on by Shelly

Why did the IELTS examiner interrupt me in the Speaking Test? This is a question that I see time and time again in Facebook groups. Well, actually, it’s not usually a question, but a complaint. An angry complaint that accuses the examiner of ruining the student’s speaking performance.

A cartoon skull sits in the middle of an empty speech bubble on a blue background. The illustration represents what it feels like to run our of things to say during IELTS Speaking Part 2.

Never run out of things to say in IELTS Speaking Part 2

Posted on by Shelly

Never run out of things to say in IELTS Speaking Part 2 I think that nothing that fills an IELTS test-taker with fear as much as the idea of being handed a Speaking Part 2 cue card and having NO IDEAS. In fact, just the idea of sitting there for 60 seconds with nothing  but the the sound of your own beating heart in your head and the taste of panic in your mouth is the stuff of nightmares 💀. But, fear not, in today’s blog, I want to show you six techniques that you can use to make sure that you ALWAYS have something to say in your two-minute talk.

A cartoon of the earth at night sits on a background of stars to represent how it is important to think in general in IELTS Speaking Part 3.

Think global for IELTS Speaking Part 3 Success

Posted on by Shelly

Think global for IELTS Speaking Part 3 success In IELTS Speaking Part 3, you move from the personal to the general. While Part 1 and Part 2 ask you to answer questions based on your life experiences, in Part 3 you are asked to comment about abstract topics. And for me, this this is the part of the test where the examiner really gets to test your language and academic skills. That means that for IELTS Speaking Part 3 success, you will need to be able to discuss abstract topics with ease. Learn how in this blog post.

A red heart filled with smaller icons sits on a yellow background. The images inside the heart represent the common topic that students are asked to discuss in IELTS speaking Part 2. In particular, questions that start with the expression "Describe your favourite".

Common IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics: Your “favourite” things

Posted on by Shelly

Common IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics: Your “favourite” things Hey! One of the most common IELTS speaking Part 2 topics  is talking about your favourite something. On the face of it, it should be easy, so why so many test-takers struggle with these questions? THEY ARE HARD TO CHOOSE!