This week you will train to speak about a situation that surprised you.
Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below):
| Describe something that surprised you. You should say -what it was -how you found out about it -what you did -and explain how it made you feel |
| 🧑🎓Target language: vast (adjective) -of great extent “My tutor had seen vast improvement in my listening” |
Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson.
Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor.
| Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲 “Well, unfortunately, I am about to describe an event that surprised me in a negative way and it is a little embarrassing but here goes. What surprised me recently was the result of my last IELTS exam when I got 6.5 in listening!” |
Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝
Transcript
| Describe something that surprised you. You should say -what it was -how you found out about it -what you did -and explain how it made you feel |
Well, unfortunately, I am about to describe an event that surprised me in a negative way and it is a little embarrassing but here goes. What surprised me recently was the result of my last IELTS exam when I got 6.5 in listening!
I had been preparing for IELTS for several months with a tutor and had completed at least 10 listening tests, so I felt very well prepared. My tutor had seen vast improvement in my listening and gave me glowing words of praise so my confidence was soaring. Even after I left the exam, I was certain I had achieved my required score.
Several days later, the notification that my results were available arrived. When I logged on to see the score, I was aghast. I told no one – I simply left the office and went for a walk. I don’t even remember where I went! I called my tutor and let her know what had happened. I believe she tried to console me but to no avail.
Shortly afterwards, when I had calmed down, I realised where I had gone wrong in my exam and now I am certain I won’t repeat the same mistake again.
Thank you.