TOEFL vs. IELTS
Question: here is my question. I took both the TOEFL and IELTS tests. My TOEFL score was quite good but my IELTS score was below average. Why do you think I got a lower score on IELTS? What can I do to get a better score? Thanks in advance for you answer! From Johnny Johnson.
Answer: Hello Johnny Johnson. I like your name. It has an interesting rhythm to it! The TOEFL and IELTS tests are very different types of test. On the one hand, the TOEFL tests your knowledge of English. The questions are focussed on very specific language and so it is possible to get a good score by preparing carefully. On the other hand, the IELTS test is a test of English proficiency, which means it tests your ability to use English successfully. Knowledge is not enough. You need to be able to use your knowledge under a variety of circumstances.That is much harder to prepare for.
So, what can we do to get a higher score on the IELTS? First of all, my students have discovered that special classes do not help them with the IELTS in the same way they do for the TOEFL. Teachers in IELTS classes talk about specific “tips” for succeeding on the IELTS test, but the tips didn’t help my students get a higher score. Rather than focus on special “tips”, students must help themselves be more “proficient” in using English. Successful students must do whatever they can to improve their English proficiency. In other words, they must listen to and read as much English as possible. This is the best way to be ready when the test comes.
To prepare for the IELTS, students can also work to improve their English proficiency under test conditions. That means doing lots and lots of practice tests! My most successful students did at least one full practice test every day before the test, for at least two weeks. Doing a practice test, using a timer, is a form of experience. Remember, experience is the best teacher!
Become a confident speaker
How to improve your English speaking skills, so that you can communicate more easily and effectively.These tips will help you to become a more confident speaker. Practice where you can, when you can. Any practice is good - whether you speak to someone who is a native English speaker or not. It’s important to build your confidence. If possible, use simple sentence structure that you know is correct, so that you can concentrate on getting your message across. Try to experiment with the English you know. Apply words and phrases you know to new situations. Native English speakers are more likely to correct you if you use the wrong word than if you use the wrong grammar. Experimenting with vocabulary is a really good way of getting feedback. Try to respond to what people say to you. You can often get clues to what people think by looking at their body language. Respond to them in a natural way. Try not to translate into and from your own language. This takes too much time and will make you more hesitant. If you forget a word, do what native English speakers do all the time, and say things that ‘fill’ the conversation. This is better than remaining completely silent. Try using ‘um’, or ‘er’, if you forget the word. Don’t speak too fast! It’s important to use a natural rhythm in speaking English, but if you speak too fast it will be difficult for people to understand you. Try to relax when you speak, and you’ll find that your mouth does most of the pronunciation work for you. When you speak English at normal speed, you’ll discover that many of the pronunciation rules, such as word linking, happen automatically.
Final tips…
- Try to become less hesitant and more confident. - Don’t be shy to speak - the more you do it, the more confident you’ll become. - Remember to be polite - use “please” and “thank you” if you ask someone to do something for you.
Improve Your English Speaking and English Pronunciation Skills
The first rule of speaking English is to speak clearly, concisely and use simple vocabulary. KISS - keep it short and simple.
Remember you probably won’t just speak to native speakers. There are roughly 380 million native speakers, but as many as a billion people speak it as a second language. So it’s a good idea to avoid idioms and slang (I always say learn it, but don’t use it). It might sound clever to say “You’re barking up the wrong tree,” but if you misuse it or if the other person doesn’t understand you, you’ll only look silly when you try to explain what you meant to say, or what it actually means.
There’s also a saying in English “Have you swallowed a dictionary?” It is applicable to anyone who uses long, complicated words when a shorter word will do. Short sentences are just as good (if not better) than long explanations. The value in what you have to say is what you say, not how clever you look or sound when you say it.
Pronunciation skills
Accents don’t matter, but pronunciation is important
Here are some more things you can do guys.
- Join an English course (and attend regularly).
- Do your homework.
- Read a book a month.
- Learn a new word every day.
- Visit an English speaking forum every day.
- Read a news article on the net every day.
- Do 10 minutes listening practice every day. (from a coursebook or listen to the VOA and BBC english for learners programs )
- Watch an English film at least once a month.
- Follow a soap, comedy or radio or TV drama.
