How to Build Academic English Skills

Build Academic English

IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT candidates also need to know a good measure of Academic English - university-level English that most are not familiar with unless they have studied in an English-speaking college.

When I help candidates get the highest score on the IELTS or TOEFL exam, I often find that students are often unprepared for this aspect of the exams.

Most simply need to upgrade their speaking and writing skills before the exam.

I recently wrote this eBook to help students increase their Academic English skills:

Easy Academic English and Writing for IELTS™ and TOEFL iBT®.

Understand the foundation of university-level English and practice it with a IELTS/TOEFL instructor to strengthen your skills for an optimal test result.

Here's a great video where the instructor points out some common mistakes to avoid.

Plus, watch my own video - 3 Don'ts of Academic English.

Conclusion

Now you are better prepared to use Academic English on the TOEFL or IELTS Academic exam.

Continue to study how to use this university-level of English throughout your preparation time.

Plus, you can always use my eText - Easy Academic English and Writing for IELTS™ and TOEFL iBT® - to help.

Get more T

Watch: 4 of 7 Ways A Strong Vocabulary Boost Your Exam Success

Increasing your vocabulary is one of the best moves you can make to increase your score on the IELTS, TOEFL, or TOEIC exam.

The first part of the video  7 Ways A Strong Vocabulary Boosts Exam Success covers four (4) of the seven ways:

1. Boost your exam confidence. 
2. Speak more eloquently.
3. Write more intelligently.
4. Read quickly.

Video Instruction

Conclusion

Now you more about the advantages of a stronger vocabulary to reach your target score on the IELTS, TOEFL, or TOEIC exam.

Get started today! 

Join my Vocabulary Blog and get 15 email lessons to strengthen your word power for the high test score you seek.

IELTS Academic - 1 Thing to Know - 2 Common Mistakes

The IELTS Academic exam is a challenge for candidates who hope to attend their favorite university, get a promotion at the office, win a scholarship, or get a high score for their visa. 

Two Common Mistakes

Unfortunately, candidates often commit two avoidable mistakes. 

First, in the speaking and writing sections, full responses are not given.

Second, sometimes test takers speak too much in Speaking Part 2.

Let's look at each of these now.

Lack of Full Response

A "full response" on the IELTS exam includes a reason and example.

It is not sufficient to say (or write): 

Children should learn a second language.

WHY should children learn a foreign language?

Children should learn a second language because bilinguals are smarter.

IELTS graders need to know "the why" - always.

Now, let's go a step further.

A second way to give a complete response is to remember the formula - Reason + Example.

Children should learn a second language because bilinguals are smarter. For example, research shows youngsters are better able to think and read in their own language after studying another.

Speaking Too Much

Much advice from many corners around the Internet is to "keep talking" during the IELTS Speaking test.

That is true - to a point. A very fine point.

Fluency is not just a steady stream of words without stopping.

For example, you do not want any long hesitations in your speech or the IELTS grader may believe you are "stuck" - a loss for words, for whatever reason.

In Part One, the "Interview," you should limit your responses to two (2) sentences. The IELTS grader has only 4 minutes and 20 seconds to complete that section of eight or more questions!

In Part Two, the "Long Turn," you know the fixed time limit of speaking is two (2) minutes. The "keep talking" advice could be dangerous here! 

I grade students who "keep talking" and I find they do not use discourse markers, forget about structuring their responses, and rarely use collocations, idioms, phrasal verbs, or less common vocabulary.

In Part Three, the "Discussion," the "keep talking" advice more valid. You have more time to speak! It is important to modify and measure your speech on the IELTS Speaking exam.

Conclusion

Show the IELTS grader how well you can use the English language to express yourself. 

Remember:  IELTS Speaking section is for you to "show" your range of speaking skills - not how much you can speak.

Maximize Your IELTS Academic Score!

Study with my eText - 41 Things You Wish You Knew About a High Score for Academic IELTS™

If you need to practice IELTS Speaking and receive feedback from a certified English instructor, reserve a session with me.

TOEFL Success Factor #3 - Work with a TOEFL Professor

In a previous post, you learned about the second factor of TOEFL Success - confident preparation.

The third success factor is studying with a TOEFL professor. 

But how?

Achieve a High Score with a TOEFL Professor

So, you want to study abroad, get a scholarship, or perhaps a promotion at the office.

For whatever reason, a  high TOEFL score can propel forward your personal and professional goals.

However, like most worthwhile goals in life, there is a cost.

Studying for a high TOEFL score requires 3 essential investments:

1) Time

2) Energy

3) Money

Time

The TOEFL exam is expensive. No one wants to take the test until they are ready.

I usually advise my students to take at least three (3) months to strengthen both their TOEFL and English skills.

However, the length of time when you will be ready for the test depends on your current level of English skills.

While you probably have an idea, do you really know?

An evaluation of your English skills level can save you money later. 

That is, once you know your true level of English, you can adjust your TOEFL preparation so you are ready by exam day.

You can reserve a TOEFL Speaking and Writing Evaluation to get a pre-test review of your skills.

The length of TOEFL preparation is also tied to your stamina for completing your study.

Energy

Our daily lives are full of events and choices.

During your period of TOEFL preparation, you must find the strength to maintain a rigorous study schedule despite work, family and/or social activities.

You're in training for a special mission - getting the highest score possible on exam day. 

You need both the time and energy to increase your TOEFL exam and English skills. 

Whether you work or study for four or five classes every week, your level of energy can flag.

However, maintaining your TOEFL study progress is a key part of your success on exam day.

Do you really need to sleep an extra hour or can you push forward to study another chapter of TOEFL vocabulary?

Remember - the TOEFL exam is more than three (3) hours long. You need to develop the stamina to study for the exam during  your preparation period. 

Your higher energy level will better prepare you for the challenge on exam day.

Money

Finally, few worthwhile deeds do not require an investment of money.

Students have a better chance to achieve their desired scores when they practice with a native English TOEFL instructor.

How serious are you?

Sure, I'm a TOEFL instructor and I'd like to work with you to help.

However, in my over 12 years of experience helping candidates to notch their target TOEFL score, those who do not work with an instructor often have to take the test again - and again - to succeed.

As noted above, the TOEFL is expensive and my philosophy has always been - take the test once and get your score!

A wise investment of money in working with a TOEFL instructor can help you smartly study for the exam and possibly shorten the time needed to prepare. 

3 of 3 Factors of TOEFL Success from Winn Trivette II

Conclusion

Invest the time, energy, and money you can spare in order to be reach your target score on the TOEFL exam day.

The last point - achieving your high score with help of a TOEFL teacher - is the #3 success factor.

Get More TOEFL Help

You don't have to face the TOEFL iBT alone!

Start my TOEFL Blog today and get the competitive edge you need to maximize your score on the exam!

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Don't delay.

Professor Winn