Introduction to IELTS Speaking
Introduction to IELTS Speaking is a 12 hour training course consisting of four modules, each taking three hours. It is suitable for any candidate, from a first time candidate who speaks English as a second language to native speakers of English.
What you’ll do
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Become familiar with the scoring criteria across the three tasks so as to set goals and benchmarks for your own performance.
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Review the types of questions used in the first task, and consider how to maximise your score with your answers.
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Analyse a recorded speaking exam to understand the strategies and skills used.
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Analyze presentation topics and consider how to maximise lexical resource and grammatical range and accuracy for your answers.
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Discuss the questions used in the third task, and consider how to form and develop an appropriate answer that demonstrates fluency and coherence.
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Use recordings and feedback from your trainer to improve clarity and maximise your pronunciation score.
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Prepare a broad range of topics about your everyday life so that you are able to quickly and fluently discuss such topics.
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Discuss and practice the use of linking structures to improve overall coherence and cohesion.
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Understand and use the idea of interacting with your examiner to demonstrate fluency.
Prospectus
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Module 1
We introduce the general principles of IELTS speaking. We analyse a video showing a model performance and discuss the learnings from that. Our theme is high school.
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Module 2
We build on the content of module 1. Our theme is home and family. We use self recordings to focus on pronunciation and grammatical accuracy.
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Module 3
The theme is travel and tourism. We further develop the communicative aspect of our performance.
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Module 4
Our theme is fashion and shopping. We review our performance and consider where we are in terms of our target grade.
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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We believe that a score of about 0.5 points above your assessed score will take you around 3 months to achieve. A score that is 1.0 points above your assessed score will take around 6 months to achieve. All these estimates assume reasonable effort on your part, and cannot be guaranteed.
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This is the ability to talk on a topic in a way that demonstrates a reasoned argument, and with the only hesitancy in your performance being related to the ideas you are expressing, rather than problems with your use of language.
Achieving this is to a large extent a matter of having a structure into which you can slot your ideas, and practice.
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Lexical resource is both how broad your vocabulary is, and also how specific it is when faced with a particular topic. For example, when discussing “home life”, it is important to know the correct terms and expressions for this topic.
How do we achieve this? We perform a series of studies on different topics with two aims in mind. First of all, we acquire the vocabulary and range of expressions within this topic. Secondly, we discuss what kinds of topics we might encounter, and learn how to research and prepare for these topics.
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The IELTS assessors are interested in the range of structures you are able to use, correctly and appropriately, in your spoken language. This is key focus. Grammatical accuracy should be sufficient that your ideas are clear; however, perfection is not required.
We achieve this in two different ways. First of all, we look at the idea of language consisting of different genres. For example, the language we use when we give advice is quite different from the language we use when sharing an experience. Secondly, we use notes and recordings to identify systematic errors in your usage and help you understand and overcome these issues.
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There are three elements to this descriptor. The first of these is the use of English language pronunciation features such as syllable stress, linking and voicing. Secondly, they are interested in how the way others understand your English is affected by your accent and other features. Finally, for more advanced candidates, they hope to see you use the sound system of English in a way that conveys underlying messages such as sincerity, concern, uncertainty and so on.
We use self-recordings, pronunciation drills and model recordings to achieve these things. Your trainer will also provide you with ongoing written feedback.
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In this case, we will complete the vocabulary building, text type and pronunciation research together, during the training. This usually means it will take quite a bit longer than 12 one hour sessions to complete the entire programme.
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Both Mr Moore and Mr May hold recognised qualifications in English language teaching.
Both have taught a wide range of candidates in preparation for IELTS and are highly experienced.
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All resources you actually need will be provided as a part of your training, at no extra cost. If you wish to buy additional materials, the ONLY materials we recommend are the Cambridge IELTS past papers series.
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If you have a recent (less than 12 months) IELTS results slip, we will take that as your current IELTS proficiency level.
If it’s been longer than 12 months, or you have never done the IELTS assessment before, we highly recommend completing our IELTS assessment process. You can find the details for that below.
Book an appointment.
Before beginning training for IELTS, we strongly recommend, though do not insist, that applicants complete our IELTS assessment. This provides important benchmark and proficiency information that will allow Mr May to optimise the 12 week programme so that you make the best possible progress.
This assessment consists of an essay topic and a reading quiz to complete at home, followed by a 30 minute meeting with Mr May on Zoom.
There is a charge of HKD200 for this assessment. You can book this assessment online using the booking tool at the right, and paying by credit card, or by calling Ms Li at 5282-0157 to make other arrangements