AEE Episode 4: How to Forget About Your English Mistakes

How do you build a “Brain Box” for the IELTS Listening Exam? Today Lindsay and Jessica talk about two strategies to make the listening part of the IELTS exam easier!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Joulu 201413min

Do you have trouble understanding American speech habits? In today’s Tear Up Your Textbook Tuesday, Lindsay and Michelle discuss 5 weird ways Americans use English, and how to understand what they’re saying!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Joulu 201421min

What’s so difficult about the IELTS Speaking Part 1? What can you do to prepare? Today, Lindsay and Jessica discuss some tactics for avoiding the dangers and allowing yourself to stand out!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   Speaking Part 1 of the IELTS includes questions about yourself. You will be asked about three topics, and though it may seem like simple stuff, the danger is that you might become too relaxed and start using one-word answers. You want to do better than that. In fact, ideally your answers will be 2-4 sentences each! How can you do come up with that? Do some brainstorming. Think of the question words. Question words can help you think of better answers.   Vocabulary is also important in Speaking Part 1. If you want to achieve a higher score, you will need to use a range of vocabulary, including slang and idioms. The examiner wants to hear that you know more than what’s in your textbook. A good strategy is to have a short list of slang and idioms ready to use.   What are some good English slang words or idioms that might be helpful to have for Speaking Part 1 of the IELTS test? Let us know in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29 Joulu 201416min

How do you persist in learning English? Do you expect it to ever get easier? Today, learn how a New York-based painter went from poverty to riches by sticking with it, and how you can achieve success by following his example! Come back to our site for more tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 Joulu 201415min

Can movies cause problems in speaking natural English? Today, find out why mimicking phrases from movies can make it difficult to have natural-sounding English conversations!   Hollywood is drama. Its stories are fiction. This means that the language used by characters is often unrealistic. Because of the unnatural dialogue, you don’t want to quote from movies unless it’s understood that you are quoting. Native English speakers do it all the time by slightly changing the tone of their voice. Even then, such quotes are usually made in a context that makes it clear that the usage is a little joke.   Some popular American movie quotes: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” – Forrest Gump “May the odds be ever in your favor.” – The Hunger Games “May the force be with you.” – Star Wars “Houston, we have a problem.” – Apollo 13   While it can be fun to directly quote movies, you want to try to sound more like a real English speaker, not a fictional character.   Do you have any favorite movie quotes in English? Share the ones you love in the comments section below!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 Joulu 201413min

Do you need a plan for Writing Task 1 on the IELTS exam? Today, Lindsay and Jessica share two clear steps for helping you beat it!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   The IELTS exam’s written section is divided into two tasks. Task 1 requires you to interpret a map or chart in approximately 150 words, while Task 2 is about 250 words on your own thoughts. Even though it is longer, Task 2 is often easier for test-takers. Task 1, because of the vocabulary needed, can be much more difficult. The Task 1 chart is usually some kind of line or graph that shows a change over time. To give yourself the language needed to discuss this chart, a good tactic might be to read the business section of the newspaper and pick up the vocabulary you need – words like that describe change, like increase, decrease, decline and skyrocket.   In writing your answer for Task 1, keep it clear and simple. A good plan might be to discuss increases in paragraph one, and decreases in paragraph two. That way, your answer is organized.   How are you preparing for the IELTS exam’s Task 1? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Joulu 201412min

Do you have trouble using English modals? Today, Lindsay and Michelle give you three crazy role-plays to understand when to use should, could and would!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video training course now   Correct use of modals like should, could and would can be confusing.  All three deal with time and possibility, and all three involve telling or asking someone to do something.   Should describes the strong possible likelihood of something.  It is also used to give advice. “I should arrive on time.” “You should apply for the job.”   Could describes a possibility in the past or the future.  It can also be used as a polite request. “She could have eaten dinner already.” “Could you pick me up at the airport?”   Would is most commonly used to make a polite request. “Would you like to come with me?” “Would you ask him about the book?”   How can you use should, could and would? Give us some examples in the comments section below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Joulu 201417min

Are you preparing to take the IELTS exam? Today, Lindsay and Jessica discuss what you need to know to pass with the score you want!   Taking IELTS? Get our free IELTS video course now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

22 Joulu 201418min