I recorded the call, it was incredible ❤️

Thanks everyone for coming, I loved all the practice answers and I hope the feedback was insightful!

AFTER THE GROUP CALL...

I wanted to make some notes. We had such a great talk that it really makes sense to write down some ideas ✨

1) We discussed methods of practicing fluency on your own with no partner. Participants shared their own ways:
— record answers to practice questions, listen and note mistakes to work on them
— talk in front of the mirror, practicing maintaining eye-contact for the exam
— record yourself reading out loud paying attention to pronunciation features (intonations, stress)

2) We talked about struggles of IELTS preparation. Participants identified:
— difficult to figure out what materials are worthy, too many sources out there
—no detailed feedback with corrections to writing & speaking
— difficult to understand your own weaknesses and build a study plan
—challenging to find a study buddy and a supportive community
— no support or no-one to seek advice from, ask questions

What other stuggles do you have in your IELTS prep?

​​1 DAY UNTIL THE ROCKET IELTS COURSE START 🚀

On Monday (April 5) we will start the most comprehensive IELTS preparation course where you get a chance to be guided by me and a native speaker from the UK to the target 7+ band score.

I wholeheartedly recommend joining this course everyone who feels lost, doesn't how where to start preparation, what materials and practice papers to use, those who don't have clear strategies for solving every module without mistakes, whose who have weak vocabulary range or lack fluency.

We will make sure every IELTS-related skill is boosted during the course:
— all 4 IELTS modules: theory + practice + step-by-step strategies for every question type
— Speaking & Writing: sample answers, analysis, frameworks for band 7+
— Writing: lots of practice essays written with feedback, corrections, advice for improvement
— Speaking: 4 types of practice during the course with feedback
— vocabulary: work with authentic sources and strategies for learning more words
— full mock tests to track your progress
— coherence & cohesion, grammar, fluency, setting goals and much more...

All students join the Rocket Community of WSE where I make sure everyone gets my fullest attention and answers to all their questions. You will never be alone in this journey again ❤️

Stop wasting money and time on retaking the test, make sure you come fully prepared at the first attempt!

10 ENGLISH WORDS YOU DON'T KNOW

Probably. But I bet you don't because 10/10 of them were new to me! 🤪 Here in this video I give definitions and examples so that it's easier for you to understand and use the words.

These are great for making your speech more lively in IELTS or TOEFL - but always take into account the context!

🎁 There is a gift PDF with even more examples in the video!

https://youtu.be/133fvre8kNM

#vocabulary
@wsechannel

⚡️ WHERE TO FIND A SPEAKING PARTNER?

This has been one of the most pressing questions among all English learners for a long time. Almost a year ago I created the WSE Speaking Partners Matching service that would match you with another person who fits your criteria for practice. For free.

This service was a huge success! Thousands of people have used and loved it! ❤️ They found friends, reliable partners and study-buddies all over the world.

However, there were some disadvantages to the initial system - we had to match people by hand, it took time (days!) and sometimes partners had trouble connecting to each other because of the time difference or other obstacles.

I have been thinking about possible improvements to the service and ways of making it more flexible and accessible for everyone, without having to wait. Many people requested an app to meet others and talk on their phone on the spot ...

So I am now proudly introducing a collaboration between Speak Peak and World Speaks English! We have teamed up to bring you a new exciting tool to get matched with speaking partners in seconds and start talking right away! 🎉

The matching will continue to be free and is now accessible on your mobile device (iOS or Android) - just follow the link and sign up!

See you at Speak Peak! 👋🏻💜

@wsechannel

​​170 IELTS SPEAKING TOPICS

There are lots of different questions on IELTS that cover a variety of topics. To score 7+ you must showcase flexible use of vocabulary resource to be able to maintain a conversation on any of them.

Are you prepared? Do you know topic-specific words for pollution or technology for example?

I thought I might help you out! I've prepared a guide with 170 IELTS Speaking topics! 🎉

Using it, you will be able to focus on relevant subject and avoid anxiety... Because you'll know what to expect at the test!

The guide is absolutely free for everyone who fills in a short survey form about speaking below ❤️ you're welcome!

#speaking #ielts
@wsechannel

IELTS Vocabulary: 'topic specific' and 'less common'

Is there a difference between 'topic specific' vocabulary and 'less common' vocabulary? Let's have a closer look at these terms.

Topic specific just means 'about the topic'. For example, if the question is about climate change, the word 'pollution' is topic specific.

Less common vocabulary. Staying with the climate change topic, I think you'll agree that 'pollution' is a relatively common or easy word that most IELTS candidates would know. So, which words or phrases might be considered 'less common'? Here are some suggestions:
- burning fossil fuels
- greenhouse gas emissions
- carbon footprint
- become carbon neutral
- renewable energy sources
- reach a tipping point
- rising sea levels
- the melting of ice caps
- extreme weather phenonemon/phenomena
- decarbonize
- biofuel production
- energy conservation
- emissions reduction

These 'less common' phrases go deeper into the climate change topic (compared to the word 'pollution') and demonstrate that you know a wider range of relevant vocabulary.

Notice that the 'less common' list above contains collocations (groups of words) rather than individual 'big' words. If you're aiming for a band 7 or higher, this is the type of vocabulary that you need: topic-specific collocations and phrases.

— Taken from IELTS Simon 💫

#ielts #vocabulary
@wsechannel

#books #writing
@wsechannel

​​IELTS ADVANTAGE WRITING SKILLS

The book shows students how to organise and structure an answer for all types of task 1 and task 2 different questions.

It also contains a model essay in each unit, showing students exactly what is required; contains a general interest article in each unit, developing ideas and vocabulary for a common topic in the exam;

In addition, the book contains grammar exercises in each unit, showing students how to apply a wide range of grammar items in their IELTS writing.

Beware of model essays there though. Usually such books don't have better examples than band 6 essays even if they state otherwise.

#books #writing
@wsechannel
Download above ⬆️

🔍 SPEAKING SURVEY RESULTS

Remember that I gifted a 170 Speaking topics guide to everyone who filled in a survey? The results are out! You can have a look at the whole spreadsheet here.

I studied how people build their IELTS Speaking practice and got 500+ answers!

Main pains 💔
- slow progress
- no grammar training
- no coach or teacher
- no feedback
- lack of new vocabulary
- no ideas / arguments for answers
- no face-to-face communication
- poor fluency
- hesitation when speaking
- poor pronunciation
- low concentration
- don't know IELTS topics
- no commitment
- constant pauses
- no partner / study buddy
- no explanations / information about the test
- no-one to point out and correct mistakes
- can't improve because of no guidance
- feels lost and alone

Does any of this sound like you?⬇️

👋🏻 LET'S TALK!

Hey! I am looking for people from the following countries:
- Europe
- Latin America countries
- India
- UAE
- Saudi Arabia
- Israel
- Iran
- Iraq
- Kazakhstan
- Uzbekistan
Or people from there who have already migrated to the UK / Canada / USA / Australia.

I will ask some questions about your life, English goals and how you use social media. It will be a 15-minute conversation for me to know you better so that I can create products and materials that suit you best and bring the most value ❤️

Fill in this form if you are ready to have a chat.

Let's meet! 🙌🏻

#books #vocabulary #IELTS
@wsechannel

​​☘️ VOCABULARY FOR IELTS ADVANCED

This book claims to provide all the vocabulary you need for IELTS success! It focuses on moving students to band 6.5 and beyond by working on vocabulary-building strategies necessary for success at advanced levels.

Remember! No vocabulary learning is effective without context. Make sure to expand the number of resources you use in English and constantly track all the new words.

🎧 Audio available here

#books #vocabulary #IELTS
@wsechannel

Download the book above ⬆️

I just got a question from a subscriber - how to fill in the answer sheet correctly

Should we use abbreviations like T/F/NG to save time or should we write them in full?

What's your opinion?

Thanks for all the suggestions, here's my opinion.

There is no official comment from the IELTS authorities on whether abbreviations like T/F/NG count as correct or not. Since candidates never see their results or feedback, it's difficult to judge based on their experience. Plus, there are people who claim these contractions worked and some who deny this.

‼️ Therefore, I think it's better than safe than sorry and write answers in full. This will work for sure.

🇨🇳 HOW TO STUDY IN EUROPE AND TEACH IN CHINA | MOVE TO IMPROVE

The best series on my YouTube channel!

This is episode n.2 where I talk with an English teacher who started her journey from studying in the Czech Republic and then went all the way up to building a teaching career in China.

📌 The video is insightful for everyone who wants to study abroad, use the Erasmus Plus programme and then become an English teacher and teach in China.

Do you like this interview format?

https://youtu.be/Hf0Eka6iwOo

#movetoimprove #video
@wsechannel

Hey everyone! ✨

I've been writing a lot for work and for myself lately. And I know Writing had been such a struggle for me when I was preparing for IELTS. Truly, the time of my preparation helped me to become more confident in expressing my ideas on paper. And it's soooo much easier now 😇

What about you though? What's your relationship with Writing?