Episode 57 - 3 Complex Grammar Structures to Raise Your Test Scores

Watch the video to learn these 3 complex grammar structures to raise your score on the TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, or PTE exam!

Improve your grammar when you study my eText - 27 Keys to Better English Grammar.

 

How to Take Notes in Class: The 5 Best Methods - College Info Geek

No Fear Note-Taking Lessons To Help You!

I teach my own students that note-taking is a "hidden skill."

When candidates prepare for the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam, they usually focus on grammar, speaking, writing, listening, and reading.

However, note-taking is an essential skill to hone during test preparation.

Indeed, knowledge of what is and is not important can save time and yield the crucial information you need to arrive at the precise answer you need!

Watch the following instructor help you decide how to approach note-taking and then what types of information to look for (or listen for!) when you are on the exam.

Good luck with your TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam score!

Professor Winn, author of the englishlanguagetestprep.com blog,  is a CELTA-certified English instructor for more than 13 years, helping candidates to achieve their target scores on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams.

 Subscribe to one of the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams to improve your English and test skills.

4 ways to improve your English speaking... ALONE #athome!

Improve Your English Speaking

 

This is an essential video from Professor James at Engvid.

 You know you're in good hands when he's teaching you.

In a deliberate and easy, and fun method, learn how to speak English better in a short amount of time all by yourself!

 

As you know, good speaking skills are necessary for a high score on the IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEIC exams.

 

Watch now to strengthen your English speaking skills for the big test day!

Professor Winn, author of the englishlanguagetestprep.com blog,  is a CELTA-certified English instructor for more than 13 years, helping candidates to achieve their target scores on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams.

 

Subscribe to one of the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams to improve your English and test skills.

Stress and Rhythm in English Pronunciation

Improve Your English Pronunciation Right Now

This is an essential video from Elemental English.

In a deliberate and easy, and fun method, learn how to speak English better in a short amount of time!

As you know, Pronunciation is a grading category for the IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEIC Speaking sections.

Watch now to perfect your stress and rhythm in English pronunciation!

Professor Winn, author of the englishlanguagetestprep.com blog,  is a CELTA-certified English instructor for more than 13 years, helping candidates to achieve their target scores on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams.

 Subscribe to one of the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams to improve your English and test skills.

Are you a steady reader of English?

If you're a candidate looking for TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, or PTE Academic success, start reading today!

Please read this comment from a post by TOEIC in an original LinkedIn article.

3 General Training #IELTS Tips

Get the High Score You Seek and Deserve on the General IELTS Exam!

Whether you plan to work and start a new life in a new country or simply need to prove your English fluency to your current boss, the General IELTS exam is a great choice.

Here are three (3) tips to get you started.

Watch the following video and quickly learn how to use these three pieces of advice from a veteran English instructor.

Professor Winn, author of the englishlanguagetestprep.com blog,  is a CELTA-certified English instructor for more than 13 years, helping candidates to achieve their target scores on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams.

Increase your English and IELTS skills.

Subscribe to the General IELTS Email Blog for more tips!

IELTS Listening - Top 14 tips!

Build your IELTS Listening Skills Today!

Whether you plan to take the General or Academic IELTS exam, don't miss these 14 essential tips to boost your score in the Listening Section.

While it is my experience, students do quite well in IELTS Listening, don't forget the test graders are strict on spelling.

And one of the most important things you can do to prepare for the exam is to develop a steady reading habit to improve your grammar and build your vocabulary for success on the exam!

Professor Winn, author of the englishlanguagetestprep.com blog,  is a CELTA-certified English instructor for more than 13 years, helping candidates to achieve their target scores on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams.

Increase your English and IELTS skills.

Subscribe to the General or Academic IELTS Email Blog for more tips!

Subsist and GO Collocations - ELTPR Episode 010 Preview

 Don't miss these GO Collocations to help you boost your TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam score.

Collocations are perfect for both the Speaking and Writing Sections of these exams.

Need a bigger vocabulary so you reach your target test score?

Join my Vocabulary Email blog today!

Build Your Vocabulary for IELTS and TOEFL Success

Increasing your vocabulary without doubt is the best move you can make when you need a high score on the IELTS or TOEFL exam.

Most folks probably think of big fancy words to impress the exam graders.

While "less common vocabulary," as the IELTS Rubric indicates, is important, so are two other types of vocabulary also mentioned (the same goes for the TOEFL):

1. collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs
2. topical (education, environment, etc.)

Sometimes candidates are not aware just what "build vocabulary" means for these two exams.

The following shows you how to build better word power.

How to Build Vocabulary

There are two ways to build your word power - 1) directly and 2) indirectly.

Directly

Research shows that studying directly - using a text - leads to greater reading comprehension - one of the key benefits of increasing your word power for the exams.

One way is study a vocabulary text.

Given my over 12 years of experience assisting candidates to get their higher exam scores, I wrote my own vocabulary book with full definitions, examples, and sample sentences.

The terms are grouped by themes which research also shows makes it easier for acquisition of keywords.

In 303 Vocabulary Words You Need, you get 30 chapters of 10 words and bonus 3 words.

A second way is to study electronic flash cards that you or others make like using the website - https://quizlet.com/.

Here are 10 words to get you started that I created flashcards:

A third way is to watch vocabulary videos on YouTube:

Save time and build your lexicon in the shortest time possible!

Indirectly

Here is the best - but slowest - way to increase your lexicon - READING.

Incidentally, reading widely and daily is a good way to be better prepared for the exam.

A good source is the USA Today newspaper. Notice the topics in the top menu. You can read about the general news, sports, finances, money, and life.

However, it is important to develop the following two habits to help you.

FIRST: Be sure to devote a notebook to your new terms you encounter while reading. 

Top Tip: Don't stop reading every time you find a new word and look it up in the dictionary or thesaurus. Instead, try to guess the meaning of the word by its context. 

This minimizes disruptions and allow you to enjoy your reading experience as well as builds understanding by making you concentrate and try to guess the meaning.

Here is video for setting up your vocabulary notebook.

SECOND: Get Friendly with a Dictionary and Thesaurus

Another Top Tip: Write two words before the target word and two or three words after so you can capture its context. Don't just write the target word because you need the context when you look up your words in a dictionary or thesaurus.

After you have finished your reading selection, review your terms.

One of the best dictionaries for US English is Merriam-Webster.

One of the best dictionaries for British English is Cambridge.

One of the best thesauri that I've recently discovered is Power Thesaurus.

Collocation, Idioms, and Phrasal Verbs

Candidates often have to study hard to master enough collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs (CIP) to remember for the exams.

CIP is especially important for the Speaking Sections.

Remember - only use collocations on the Writing Sections because idioms and phrasal verbs are too informal for the writing tasks.

A direct way to study CIP is my own eBook.

That is wrote I 181 Best English Collocations, Idioms, and Phrasal Verbs.

Topical Vocabulary

Finally, certain topics are popular on the IELTS and TOEFL exams like education, the environment, tourism, etc.

Especially on the Speaking Test, candidates should seek opportunities to show their expanded vocabulary power to IELTS graders.

To get you started, I include below a sample of vocabulary about Education.

 

 

Conclusion

Now you are better prepared to build your vocabulary for IELTS and TOEFL success. 

Get started today by registering for my email blog of 15 lessons to enrich your word power.

Cambridge IELTS 16 Listening Test 1 with Answers

Practice #IELTS #Listening with the following online module. Check your answers at the end of the video.

How did you do?

Let me know on my English Language Test Prep Facebook page. 

Good Luck!