Daily lessons with Simon,
ex-IELTS examiner
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IELTS Advice: Having the right aims
Many IELTS students work hard but with the wrong aims. Their hard work takes them in the wrong direction.
Writing Task 1: Graph overview
In this lesson I’ll show you my introduction for the “radio and TV audiences” graph task, and I’ll ask you to write an overview paragraph.
General Writing Task 1: Library suggestions
In this lesson I’ll add two completed paragraphs to my letter outline, and I’ll ask you to write the final paragraph.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Six main topics
If you’re preparing for the IELTS speaking test, make sure that you have some ideas for the six common topic areas in this lesson.
IELTS Listening: Multitasking
Try this multiple choice listening exercise about multitasking.
IELTS Reading: Notice the vocabulary
In all IELTS reading tests you’ll find good vocabulary. When you read an interesting word or phrase, do you notice it and write it down?
Full essay: Best time to be alive
Here’s my band 9 sample answer for the ‘best time to be alive’ question, plus a quick vocabulary exercise.
IELTS Grammar: More mistakes
Here are five sentences written by members of this site. Can you find and correct the mistake(s) in each one?
Writing Task 1: Graph report outline
Let’s start work on a new graph description task. In this lesson, I’ll show you my outline, and I’ll ask you to begin writing the report.
General Writing Task 1: New letter outline
In this lesson we’ll begin working on a new letter task. We’ll start by looking at a perfect outline or plan for the letter.
IELTS Speaking: Strange topics
What should you do if you encounter a strange question or topic that you haven’t prepared for or practised?
IELTS Listening: Sleep
Here’s a quick exercise featuring some very fast speech! See if you can keep up and fill the gaps.
IELTS Reading: A study about sitting
Read the passage about a study into sitting, and decide whether the statements are true, false or not given.
Writing Task 2: Finish the paragraph
In this lesson we look at a more coherent plan for the “best time to be alive” question, and we start writing a paragraph for homework.
IELTS Grammar: Students’ mistakes
Here are 10 sentences written by members of this site. Can you find and correct the mistake(s) in each one?
Writing Task 1: Paragraph organisation
Describing diagrams: In this lesson I use “signposting phrases” to improve two paragraphs about changes to a public park.
General Writing Task 1: Letter to a magazine
The band 9 letter and list of vocabulary in this lesson could be useful for both general and academic IELTS students.
IELTS Speaking: How to feel confident
Here are some tips to help you feel more confident when you go for your IELTS speaking test.
IELTS Listening: Fulfilling work
Listen to the first part of a talk about fulfilling work, and fill the gaps to complete the written transcript.
IELTS Reading: The meaning of genius
One possible question type in the IELTS reading test is “name matching”. This lesson contains a useful practice exercise.
Writing Task 2: A more coherent outline
In this lesson we look at a more coherent plan for the “best time to be alive” question, and we start writing a paragraph for homework.
IELTS Grammar: Correct the mistakes
Can you find and correct the mistakes in five sentences written by one of our members?
Writing Task 1: Skilful paragraphing
In this lesson we look at the idea of ‘skilful paragraphing’: how to group information in paragraphs that have a clear central idea.
General Writing Task 1: Private tutor request
Here’s another band 9 formal letter. The task is to write to a private tutor to request some extra lessons for a school student.
Speaking Advice: Add detail
Many students worry too much about grammar. For speaking parts 2 and 3, it’s more important to worry about the quality of your answers.
IELTS Listening: Road Safety
Listen to a talk about road safety in Europe, then complete the summary by filling each gap with one word only.
IELTS Reading: Minority languages
Read the passage about minority languages, and decide whether the statements are true, false or not given.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Overall coherence
By improving the overall coherence or ‘harmony’ of our paragraphs, we can turn a good essay into an excellent piece of writing.
Advice: The ‘noticing’ Skill
Most people read things too quickly and miss the little learning opportunities. The best learners are good at ‘noticing’.
Writing Task 1: Park plans verb tenses
Did you notice the three verb tenses that I used in last week’s diagram description lesson?