Simple English for IELTS, TOEFL, NPTE, PT

Do you feel apprehensive when you are asked to speak in front of someone? Have you experienced having a conversation to a native English speaker? Well, you will have to experience both when you are about to take the IELTS Speaking test.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination has been very popular among individuals who are preparing their requirements in working, studying or migrating overseas. Certain countries have made the IELTS as one of their requirements to ensure the competency of an individual in terms of being competitive and ability to communicate in an English-speaking country.

It is known to any IELTS candidate that there are two kinds of IELTS test depending on the purpose of the examinee – the Academic and the General Training. Because speaking in English is very important to communicate, the speaking examination assesses the individual’s capability to handle conversations and situations in the English languages. In the General Training assessment, here are some common topics interviewers ask the examinees.

For Task 1, the examiner can ask questions about your family, work, education, and hometown.

•    Describe your family. Do you have a large or small family?
•    What  do you do at work? What are your certain responsibilities? Describe the company or the organization you are working for.
•    What was your course in the university? What is the education system like in your country?
•    What are the industries to be found in your hometown? Is there any advantage or disadvantage living in your hometown?

For the second task, you might be given questions regarding people, events, and places.
•    Describe a childhood memory you have.
1.    When did it happen?
2.    Who was with you?
3.    How did you feel that time.

Explain why you remember this particular memory.
•    Describe a lake, a river or a sea you have visited.
1.    Where is the lake?
2.    How often you have visited it?
3.    What activities do you do there?
Explain why you like this particular place.


For the third task, questions are connected with the topic in the second task.
•    What types of leisure activities are popular in your country?
•    Why it is important for people to have time for leisure activities?
•    Do you think state or private television is better?
•    What effects can watching television have on children?

If you are not that confident with your speaking skills, then it is best to enrol in an IELTS training center. They will help you learn more strategies that will make your speaking skills the best for the IELTS examination.

How many times have you taken the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)?

This is one issue most examinees are apprehensive to respond to most significantly to people who have taken the IELTS more than once. Individuals for the IELTS have these target scores set by the companies or schools that they are obtaining. Hence, getting the target report in one take is what most individuals would like.

For Filipinos, the IELTS certification is essential as it accomplishes their requirement for their career applications or college applications. In connection with this, here are several simple and efficient ways you can pay attention to to boost your performance in the IELTS assessment.

1.    Minor problems may affect your report.

Make sure your spelling and even how you pronounce key phrases. Minor problems that seem not that important could cause a deduction from your score. Meaning to say, it is advisable to modify your work and be watchful and delicate with the way you speak.

2.    Read directions meticulously.
Oftentimes, we tend to ignore the instruction as we see the exam style. However, in the IELTS exam, you have to know very well what the guidelines as you to do. Instructions from various exam kinds vary and understanding it sensibly is important.

3.    Develop answers as much as possible.

This is essential in speaking and writing. Remember to have an entertaining talk with the examiner by giving more details to your response. Cause him to be or her feel that you are excited about the conversation. In writing, increase your notions by writing additional information and good examples in your reply.

4.    Read as extensively as you can.

One of the best things to do in reviewing for the IELTS is developing good vocabulary. Your excellent command in the vocabulary is not only constrained in its advantage in the reading area but to all parts at the same time. You can convey yourself better in speaking and writing when you can think of the right words to state it. 

5.    Leave a question and start working on another.

Occasionally, you will be confronted with hard questions most importantly in the reading portion of the IELTS. It is recommended that you go forward to the next question rather spend most of your time considering on the right answer to a selected question. Skip a question and do not forget to return to this query before you submit your answer sheet.

For a more complete practice and training for the IELTS, why don’t you register for an IELTS course? IELTS review centers provide the best instruction from top-caliber teachers who provide the most useful procedures and strategies to boost your performance in the IELTS test.

Speaking in front of a native speaker for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test is not a piece of cake. There are different thoughts running around your head while facing the interviewer. Am I being judged on how I look? Will I be able to answer the questions appropriately? Will I have to confidence to build constant eye contact with the interviewer? With all these thoughts clouding your mind, chances are you are going to mess up your interview. The best way to do before and while having the speaking examination is to stay calm. Aside from that, here are some simple yet effective ways on how you can ace the IELTS speaking test.

• Be familiar with how you are going to be assessed

Examiners have criteria in rating your responses. Some of these are fluency, cohesion, grammar, pronunciation, and accuracy. If a candidate knows well about these criteria, then he or she can formulate responses that will address all of the mentioned above. As a result, the response is straightforward and appropriate for every question asked.


• Give intelligent responses

What do we mean by intelligent? When asked a question, answer in complete sentences. Give full responses to questions. Longer responses give emphasis that you are conversant and at the same time full of ideas. Moreover, elaborate your answers by describing and providing more details most especially on the first task.

• Use your experiences in your answer

Based on experience, people speak more when they relate their answers to their experiences and or to their prior knowledge. Sometimes these experiences are not even real. People make up stories to support their answers. Having this makes the talk more interesting having the examinee hooked on your responses.

• Have a conversations English

Practice speaking in English at work or even at home. Find a partner whom you can speak English comfortably. Be open to criticisms when it comes to your pronunciation and choice of words. Learning is best when you are corrected and you are prepared enough for feedbacks and suggestions.



• Be exposed with the media – TV and print in English

The more you read or listen to people speaking in English, the better your understanding and fluency with the language. Observe how people speak. Imitate them but do not overdo it. Try to be natural and practice in front of a mirror. Be confident.

In IELTS review centers, coaches have one-on-one mock assessments in speaking candidates can take advantage. Having this makes the candidate prepared and ready to face a native English speaker on the IELTS exam day.

Butchery is one profession which is in high demand in other countries, most specifically Australia. In the past few years, the Australian government has opened a door of opportunity to Filipino butchers in their companies and institutions. Due to this demand, Filipino skilled workers start to find training to better hone their skills in their field of expertise. However, before Filipino skilled workers are accepted for this training in butchery, they need to take the IELTS examination (International English Language Testing System) first. As a preparation for this English competency examination, Filipino skilled workers need to know some helpful and effective tips as they plan to take their examination for the IELTS.

There are a lot of ways on how to prepare for the IELTS examination. Some may have been useful while some may not have been that efficient. Here are three proven effective tips butchers can try doing as they prepare for the IELTS examination.

1.    Read materials in English

Reading increases one’s vocabulary. In the reading examination of the IELTS, butchers might encounter some words that they may find strange or new to them. Through reading different materials written in the English language, they will come across different words which can be useful to them for the test. They can have these words written in a notebook and have a simple definition for these. In addition, butchers will be familiarized with different sentence structures that are also present in the passages in the reading section of the IELTS. The more materials these butchers read, the more they become familiar and comfortable with the usage of the English language.

2.    Watch English movies

Watching movies in English not only entertains an individual but provides learning as well. There are different expressions in words and phrases in the English language used in movies and TV dramas. Being accustomed to these helps examinees for the listening section of the IELTS. Furthermore, it is a good practice for examinees to observe how conversations are carried out in English as conversations are part of the tasks in the listening section. Listen to how common words are pronounced and imitate them slowly as one gains expertise in speaking. The more exposure an individual gets in English, the higher learning he or she gets.

3.    Enroll in an IELTS review center

Getting a score of 5 in the General Training of the IELTS is crucial; hence, butchers need to be sure to get attain this. Getting into IELTS review classes are very beneficial as mentors follow an effective program. They follow schedules on training and mock tests to have their trainees experience what the real IELTS test feels like.

The need to get the set score for IELTS is important for butchers. Once they get this score, they become qualified for higher level of training for improving their skills in butchery.

Filipinos are good English speakers. With the use of the English language as one of the means of instruction in schools and in offices, the exposure of Filipinos in using the English language is wide and a bit more comprehensive. Among other known English proficiency examination, IELTS is known for its challenging speaking examination. Individuals who have already taken the IELTS speaking section have said that it is pretty difficult to handle yourself in front of a native speaker during the interview. Hence, people are asking questions about the IELTS speaking exam. Let us try to answer some of these and enlighten soon-to-be candidates of the IELTS test.

•    How many tasks are there in the speaking section?

There are three different sections in the speaking section of the IELTS. The first section serves as an introduction about the candidate’s background. Certain personal questions related to work or school and even family are asked to the candidate. The second task is a short discussion done by the candidate. He or she is given a cue card with the task and guide questions. Finally, the last task is more of a interactive discussion between the interviewer and the candidate where topics are more serious and deep.

•    Is the interviewer always a native speaker?

Interviewers in the IELTS speaking section are most of the time native speakers; however, there are times that they are Filipinos who are very good at the English language. They have also undergone training on how to conduct interviews for the IELTS. Most of the time, candidates get intimidated with native-English speakers; however, this is a good practice for people who will be working abroad or studying abroad where they will only be communicating in English with other people. 

•    What do I have to wear during the exam?

It is suggested that candidates for the exam wear something formal. Be presentable to the interviewer. Avoid wearing tees, rugged pants and running shoes. For men, it would be nice to come to the interview with a freshly pressed shirt, khakis, and a neatly combed hair. For the ladies, a nice dress, a formal top and a decent dress will perfect the look during the interview. 

Photo Source:

 

•    What time do I have to be in the center?

Tardiness is a sign of being unprofessional. Be in the test center for about a couple of hours before the examination. It is best for candidates to be familiar with the place and arrive early to fill out some documents needed before the speaking examination. Being early gives the candidates more time to relax and be ready for the examination.

Some candidates are not confident with their speaking skills; hence, they enroll in IELTS review centers where they can have trainings and mock interviews to prepare them for the real test. Speaking coaches are experienced and give motivations to their trainees to speak better in responding to speaking questions.

Irrespective of how good one is in conversing in English, there are still scenarios wherein somebody feels unpleasant in using the English language in speaking. For Filipinos, the English language has been utilized in day-to-day conversations typically. It has not been a difficulty in communicating in English whether in an academic or business environment. Even if Filipinos are already confident with the usage of the language, taking an English skill examination most specifically in the speaking portion of the TOEFL or the Test of English as a Foreign Language takes a lot of preparation and experience. Filipinos nowadays would rather study with teachers and tutors in TOEFL review centres than studying alone. This is for the reason that TOEFL review centers offer suggestions and tips for these applicants to do well especially in the TOEFL speaking assessment.



Individuals opt to work with coaches in a TOEFL training center for them to answer efficiently in the assessment. Without the correct coaching in TOEFL, these candidates for the TOEFL will have a hard time understanding the speaking examination and as a result commit mistakes in responding to the questions. What are these common errors?



Initially, one ought to know that there are two different types of tasks in the speaking section. The independent questions are the first portion. In the independent question, the person is given a question where he or she would need to agree or disagree, pick from choices or detail something. With a time limit to speak in 45 seconds, one must think of a answer that is solid and useful. Most applicants fail to get a good rating on this since they speak too long. They explain too much with answers. Another oversight candidates usually make is that they do not create strong factors behind their viewpoints. This is because they cannot present illustrations to support their own views. Another is that some candidates do not completely understand what the question asks. Instead of giving an opinion, some agree on the statement. This can cause a low rating when raters assess the solution.



The integrated tasks are questions that are according to a reading and a listening track. Some prospects find this a little tricky most especially when they are not familiar with the subjects being outlined. Since this is an integrated question, the answer should only be based on the information from the reading or the lecture. The challenge with some individuals is that they also give their own impression in their answer which is really not needed. The raters evaluate the answer according to how well the candidate comprehended the reading and the lecture. Also, one common fault individuals make is that they cannot take down the important particulars from the materials making their replies poor.



The advantage with these TOEFL review centres is they educate the prospects how to lose these common errors and train them on how to respond to the tasks properly.

Speaking in English is very usual for Filipinos. We normally listen to individuals talking in English all over the place - in university, in the office, in dining places and even at home. Due to the incorporation of the English language in our education system, Filipinos have already been exposed and have a long experience with the English language. Therefore, as Filipinos, we are very privileged to have the opportunity to have English as our second language. In the eventuality of taking an English experience examination such as the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System, taking the speaking evaluation delivers worry to the individuals making them commit errors during the assessment. For that reason, the prospects for the IELTS evaluation try to get aid for tactics and strategies to ensure they are aimed at their assessment. What seems to be the common errors individuals do in the speaking evaluation?



One thing the applicants must prevent is having long pauses in answering. It is okay to temporarily stop for a few seconds but not too long. Stopping too long helps make an opinion that one does not obviously know very well what the question is all about. Instead of taking long breaks, one can say, This inquiry is a little tough, but I think…. As a result, the applicant can buy some time for him or her to think of his or her solution.



A lot of individuals have been through training in IELTS review centers. Hubs offer training and give styles in giving solutions. The only problem with this is when individuals use the same template in answering in the real exam. The responses do not come out naturally and these can be noticed by the interviewer. If one performs this, there is a huge deduction on the candidate’s score.



Avoid saying the question. For example the interviewer asks, What is your most loved book? Avoid saying “My most liked book is…”. The interviewer gauges how well a candidate can change syntax and play with grammar. Echoing the question will not give prospects a high rating.



Listen to the question properly. Some job hopefuls answer the question quickly without genuinely knowing the task. Because of this, they fail to answer the question properly. People should listen carefully on what the task involves to create an efficient answer.

Being in front of a native speaker is obviously one factor that makes these job hopefuls feel worried in the assessment. The challenge with getting worried is that it causes mental block for the applicant. Even so, when applicants are going to an IELTS review, these complaints are wiped out and given solution to be able to effectively succeed in the speaking evaluation.