Below are a series of articles that may be of interest to IELTS teachers and English teachers in general.
The British Council have some great videos about the IELTS test. I decided to use one of them to introduce task 1 (academic) to a new class.
The lesson aims to familiarise students with the test format and the task 1 marking scheme. The marking scheme, contained in the band descriptors, can be a bit daunting in the first lesson of a new course and this video is far more student-friendly and engaging. [Read more…] about Introduction to IELTS Writing Task 1 Video Lesson
This article shows you how to use TED Talks to improve your English, how they can be used in the classroom and suggests 10 great talks to use in the English classroom.
TED is a series of informative, educational, inspiring and sometimes jaw-dropping talks that present ‘Ideas Worth Spreading’. Ted has attracted many of the world’s most important thinkers such as Larry Page, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Ken Robinson, and a few winners of the Nobel Prize.
There is an emphasis on informing, educating and opening people’s eyes to new ideas, making them perfect for the classroom. Students love these talks and really appreciate it when you take the time to make a lesson out of them. Teenagers, being the ‘YouTube generation’, also find them highly engaging and motivating. They come with transcriptions in most common languages, allowing students to read what they have listened to in English or their native tongue.
This post will list 10 TED talks I have found work particularly well in the classroom. I will also outline how students could use TED to improve their English at home and how teachers can use them in class. [Read more…] about 10 Ted Talks Every English Student Should Watch
Ask your IELTS students which skill they are most worried about and listening will probably be top of the list. Most courses seem to put most emphasis on the productive skills, at the expense of reading and listening.
This post will examine the inadequacies of IELTS course books in preparing students for the listening test and suggest some alternatives, principally raising awareness of connected speech and giving students time to analyse what they have heard post-listening. [Read more…] about Improving IELTS Listening Through Connected Speech
IELTS Pronunciation
If you look at the IELTS speaking marking criteria, you will notice that pronunciation makes up 25% of the total marks. In other words, it is difficult get a high band score in your speaking test without good pronunciation.
Many students believe that good pronunciation is the same as having a ‘native English accent’. This is one of the most common misconceptions and students should not worry about having a British or American accent.
According to the marking criteria, it is more important to be:
Pronunciation features include: [Read more…] about Helping IELTS Students Practice Phonetics at Home for Free
As an English teacher, the first place I normally look for IELTS material is in traditional text books. However, there is a wealth of information on blogs about the IELTS exam and I would say a few of the blogs are much better than most text books.
Students are also starting to shun traditional books in favour of online resources. All of the sites on this list have been recommended by students and it holds true that students who put in the extra work at home seem to do better than those that rely solely on lessons. [Read more…] about Five Essential IELTS Blogs
This lesson plan is designed for IELTS students but could also be used as part of a general English course. I normally use this on the first day of a new course and the aim is to promote student autonomy, raise awareness of what is expected and motivate students.
It is based on a Ted talk called 8 Secrets of Success. All you need is the video, the picture and the 8 paragraphs below. It should take around 45 minutes.
