If you’re preparing for the IELTS exam, you know how crucial listening and speaking skills are. But improving them doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Here are some practical and easy-to-follow tips to help you improve your listening and speaking skills for the IELTS exam.
Understanding Phonics
A solid understanding of phonics can make a huge difference in your listening ability. Phonics helps you recognize the sounds of English words, making it easier to understand when someone speaks quickly or uses different accents.
For example, practicing sounds like “th” in “think” or “ch” in “chair” will ensure you don’t miss keywords. You can practice by listening to audio lessons or repeating words aloud to build muscle memory for correct pronunciation.
Read the Questions Before Listening
Before listening to any audio, always take a few moments to read through the questions. Doing this gives you a sense of what to expect and helps you focus on the most important information.
For example, make a mental note to listen for those details if the question asks about a specific time or date. This strategy allows you to be more proactive during the listening section, improving your ability to answer correctly.
Engage in Diverse Listening Practices
Engage in diverse listening practices by exposing yourself to a variety of audio content. Listen to podcasts, TED Talks, YouTube videos, or radio shows in English.
The more variety you have, the better prepared you’ll be for the different accents and speaking speeds in the IELTS listening test.
Practice Under Real Exam Conditions
To improve listening and speaking skills for the IELTS exam, practice as close to real exam conditions as possible. Time yourself and complete practice tests with no interruptions.
Only listen to each audio once, just as you would in the actual exam. This will help you build concentration and speed, two crucial elements on test day. You might also consider recording your responses during speaking practice, so you can assess your fluency and clarity.
Expand Your Vocabulary Naturally
Expanding your vocabulary naturally is key for both the listening and speaking sections of the IELTS exam. Read articles, watch videos, and listen to English content to pick up new words.
Try to use them in sentences during your speaking practice to make sure you’re not just memorizing words but actually internalizing them. For example, after reading a news article, pick five new words and use them in conversations throughout the day to build a more diverse vocabulary.
By following these tips, you can improve your listening and speaking skills for the IELTS exam in a way that feels natural and manageable.
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