This week, you will train to speak about ‘work-live balance.’ The model is from Part 3 of a recent IELTS Speaking exam, so you’ll notice the questions are more open-ended and the candidate uses longer responses to better demonstrate their language.
Step 1:Ā Tune in to this weekās podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Part 3 Questions Why donāt people have enough time nowadays? Is it necessary for people to relax during the working day? How can people achieve better work-life balance? Does current technology cause people to waste time or save time?
š§āšTarget language:
I think there are several reasons for this. -phrase used to cue a longer response
āI think there are several reasons for this. Firstly, … For example, … Further, …“
Step 2:Ā Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
Step 4:Ā Below is Mondayās 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. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)
Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!š£ļøš²
“I think there are several reasons for this. Firstly, I believe instant messaging technology has made it difficult for people to disconnect from their professional lives. For example, itās hard to ignore a request from a coworker if they can see through an app that you are online.”
Step 5:Ā Itās very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekās lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.š
Transcript
Weāve been talking about time, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Why donāt people have enough time nowadays?
I think there are several reasons for this. Firstly, I believe instant messaging technology has made it difficult for people to disconnect from their professional lives. For example, itās hard to ignore a request from a coworker if they can see through an app that you are online. Further, in my country, life in general has become more expensive and this has demanded people commit more time to their professions. Often, both partners in a household need to work, which means household chores must be done in their free time.
Is it necessary for people to relax during the working day?
I think people should have the option, yes. Among jobs where a workerās alertness is a safety concern, such as an airline pilot or a surgeon, periods for recuperation are enforced by law. Long stretches of non-stop work, especially strenuous work, can have serious health effects as well. Further, I think people are more productive when they are given short breaks throughout their workday, so itās not only good for the wellbeing of the worker, but also the wellbeing of their organisation.
How can people achieve better work-life balance?
First and foremost, itās important to allot time in your schedule where you completely disconnect from technology. People should regularly put their devices on silent and avoid interruption, or leave these devices at home when they do short errands or exercise outdoors. I would even go so far as to declare to work colleagues the timings at which you canāt be reached, whether thatās lunchtime, evenings or weekends. People should also prioritise work-life balance by writing clear goals for the important relationships in their lives. For example, parents should actively strive to be mentally present when speaking to their children.
Does current technology cause people to waste time or save time?
It does both. It makes it possible to communicate instantly with people, which could be helpful if you want to tell your friend you need to urgently change some plans. However, itās also a source of a tremendous amount of distraction. I mean, itās so common nowadays to be talking in person with someone only to receive a mundane mobile notification. I guess I would have to say that technology wastes as much time as it saves!
This week you’re talking about a very common topic: time! Specifically, you will train to speak about something that helps you save time. The candidate in this lesson’s demonstration choose to speak about a calendar.
Step 1: Tune in to this weekās podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Talk about something that helps you save time. Please say: -what it is -when you use it -why you use it -and explain why you believe it helps you save time
š§āšTarget language:
populate (verb) -to fill something with people or items
āThis calendar is painted on a whiteboard, so every few weeks I erase everything I had previously written and populate it with my schedule for the coming month.ā
Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
Step 4: Below is Mondayās 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. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up ā select āJoin a Whatsapp groupā.)
Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!š£ļøš²
āOne item that helps me save time is a calendar that I have hanging up in my kitchen. This calendar is painted on a whiteboard, so every few weeks I erase everything I had previously written and populate it with my schedule for the coming month. Because it is large and in a central part of my home, I essentially use it all the time. It is usually one of the first things I look at in the morning, and because I work from home I refer to the calendar several times throughout the day.ā
Step 5: Itās very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekās lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.š
Transcript
Talk about something that helps you save time. Please say: -what it is -when you use it -why you use it -and explain why you believe it helps you save time
One item that helps me save time is a calendar that I have hanging up in my kitchen. This calendar is painted on a whiteboard, so every few weeks I erase everything I had previously written and populate it with my schedule for the coming month. Because it is large and in a central part of my home, I essentially use it all the time. It is usually one of the first things I look at in the morning, and because I work from home I refer to the calendar several times throughout the day.
I feel the calendar keeps me organised and ensures I do not schedule overlapping events. This helps me budget my time and clearly designate moments in my day when I can relax. If I know my schedule is comprehensively laid out, I donāt waste time worrying about it. Plus, it is much easier to use than an app on my phone. Changing anything on the calendar only takes a few seconds, so I suppose this saves me additional time.
In addition to this, it communicates my professional commitments to my other family members. They can clearly see when I am working and when I am free, so this saves time by minimising worktime interruptions.
How well can you speak about sports? In this speech shadowing lesson, you will train to talk about this topic: a sport you like, live sports and sport audiences.
Step 1:Ā Tune in to this weekās podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Part 1 Questions
May I see your ID? Where are you from? What is the name of your hometown? What are some important features of your hometown? Can you describe your home? What kind of sports do you like? Do you watch live sports? Do you think sport audiences today have changed compared to the past?
š§āšTarget language:
localised(adjective) -specific to a particular place
āIn the past, sporting audiences were very localised.ā
Step 2:Ā Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
Step 4:Ā Below is Mondayās 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. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)
Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!š£ļøš²
“Well, like many cities in China, Suzhou is very old and has several ancient landmarks, such as the Humble Administrator Garden, which I believe is about a thousand years old now. We also have a district that is made up entirely of a network of canals. The area is understandably sometimes referred to as the āVenice of the Eastā. We also have a growing business district lined with skyscrapers, so I think a central feature of Suzhou is its blend of historical sites and contemporary architecture.”
Step 5:Ā Itās very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekās lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.š
Transcript
May I see your ID?
Here you are.
Where are you from?
I am from a city in China. Itās about an hourās drive outside of Shanghai.
What is the name of your hometown?
Itās called Suzhou. There is actually more than one Suzhou in China. Mine is the one in Jiangsu province.
What are some important features of your hometown?
Well, like many cities in China, Suzhou is very old and has several ancient landmarks, such as the Humble Administrator Garden, which I believe is about a thousand years old now. We also have a district that is made up entirely of a network of canals. The area is understandably sometimes referred to as the āVenice of the Eastā. We also have a growing business district lined with skyscrapers, so I think a central feature of Suzhou is its blend of historical sites and contemporary architecture.
Can you describe your home?
I live in a simple one-bedroom apartment that has a large window in the living room with a view of the sunset. I really like the colour green, so I think most of the furniture has at least a little green in it. I also have several houseplants which help keep my apartment feeling fresh. Letās talk about sports.
What kind of sports do you like?
Iām actually not a big sports person. Once in a while, Iāll play football with my friends in the park or hit a birdie back and forth with a badminton racket, but thatās about it. I do a lot of walking either on my own or with a friend, so if that counts I would say thatās my favourite sport.
Do you watch live sports?
I do but only when a really exciting sporting event is happening. For example, when the World Cup is on, I watch many of the matches live. I occasionally catch a Formula 1 race live too, but I donāt watch it enough to know much about the teams or drivers. I went to several basketball matches in Shanghai when I was a teenager, and I think these are the only live sporting events Iāve seen in person.
Do you think sport audiences today have changed compared to the past?
Yes, in many ways they have. In the past, sporting audiences were very localised. What I mean is you watched and discussed a sporting event with your friends or family, whereas now people watch sports streamed live online and discuss whatās happening with international viewers from around the world. I recently saw a sports commentator that was streaming his comments live while interacting with viewers from around the world. This is a clear difference compared to the past. However, I would say the audienceās spirit and passion for the game hasnāt changed, and I donāt think it ever will.
Recently, a candidate reported being asked about ‘an outdoor activity’ in Part 3 of their exam. (Edit: This topic was actually seen again about six months after this exam. If you’re looking for additional training resources, please click here to visit my second lesson on this topic.)
Step 1: Tune in to this weekās podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Part 3 Questions
Do you like spending time outdoors? Are there any benefits to outdoor activities? What outdoor activities are popular in your country? What kind of outdoor activities were popular in the past? What type of outdoor activities will people like to do in the future?
š§āšTarget language:
avails itself -something that is benefitted by another thing
āFortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.ā
Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
Step 4: Below is Mondayās 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. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)
Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!š£ļøš²
“Yes, I do actually. I love biking, walking and just dining al fresco when the weather is nice. Fortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.”
Step 5: Itās very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekās lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.š
Transcript
Weāve been talking about an outdoor activity, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Do you like spending time outdoors?
Yes, I do actually. I love biking, walking and just dining al fresco when the weather is nice. Fortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.
Are there any benefits to outdoor activities?
Of course! First of all, if you are engaging in exercise outdoors, this is good for overall health. Second of all, being out in the sun is beneficial because our bodies need vitamin D for good health. This must be done with caution of course, but I recently read that people in this country suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, so it is in our best interest to cautiously spend time outdoors. Lastly, as we often socialise outdoors at cafes, restaurants and even park benches, this is an important practice through which we can reduce stress levels. So, being outside is incredibly beneficial in a variety of ways.
What outdoor activities are popular in your country?
Well, I have mentioned several of them but of course there are more like sailing, swimming or playing tennis. Those in the country enjoy hiking or horseback riding. Then, it would be remiss of me to neglect to mention our national sport: football, which is enjoyed by all ages.
What kind of outdoor activities were popular in the past?
I think the only things that have changed are activities that have been brought to this country from abroad, like tennis. However, we have been known for our love of outdoor sports since antiquity. As far as I know, even activities associated today with the indoors, like wrestling, took place outside. Other activities like eating outdoors or sailing have also been a part of this culture for centuries.
What type of outdoor activities will people like to do in the future?
I canāt imagine these activities changing a great deal but if I had to picture some kind of science fiction scenario, I would say that perhaps people will fly for fun. One might say that we already do that but what I mean by that is just as today we might take a boat, train or car ride for leisure, perhaps there will be flying contraptions that allow us to take a short flight over the sea front or over a nearby hill, just to get a birdās eye view of the area. I think a lot of people would enjoy something like this.
This week’s lesson examines a real Part 2 candidate task card on the topic of ‘a walk you enjoyed.’ This cue card was seen on an exam in 2022.
Step 1:Ā Tune in to this weekās podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Describe a long walk you enjoyed. Please say ā where you walked ā who you walked with ā when you walked ā and explain why you enjoyed the walk.
š§āšTarget language:
aroma (adjective) -a pleasing smell
āThe day was fragrant with the aroma of spring flowers and it felt like the earth was renewed after such a dismal winter in lockdown.ā
Step 2:Ā Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
Step 4:Ā Below is Mondayās 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. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)
Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!š£ļøš²
“Last year when our country was in lockdown, my best friend and I made a wonderful habit of walking on the weekends. We would set out from our homes and typically walk along the waterfront, which is lovely. However, there were several occasions when we decided to venture even further and it was worth the effort.”
Step 5:Ā Itās very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekās lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.š
Transcript
Describe a long walk you enjoyed. Please say ā where you walked ā who you walked with ā when you walked ā and explain why you enjoyed the walk.
Last year when our country was in lockdown, my best friend and I made a wonderful habit of walking on the weekends. We would set out from our homes and typically walk along the waterfront, which is lovely. However, there were several occasions when we decided to venture even further and it was worth the effort.
On one particular day last March, we walked all the way to the marina of the nearby suburb. This is about one hour from our homes. My friend, Lina, and I set a good pace from the beginning and admired the beautiful weather, the sea and the onset of spring. All the while, we were talking about our studies, families and our personal lives. We began our walk around 10:00 in the morning, so by the time we reached the marina the sun was fully up and the day was warm.
When we got to the marina, we admired the various boats, and the warm sea air hinted at summer. The day was fragrant with the aroma of spring flowers and it felt like the earth was renewed after such a dismal winter in lockdown.
I guess you could say that after a depressing winter this walk filled us with a sense of hope and renewal, like a promise that better days were just on the horizon.
This week you’ll train to speak about everyone’s favourite topic: food! Be sure to take lots of notes as you work through the exercise to help you retain and reproduce the language in your own speaking. These questions are from an exam seen in Germany.
Step 1:Ā Tune in to this weekās podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Part 1 Questions
Where are you from? Do you work or study? What do you do? Do you like barbecue parties? Did you have barbecue parties in your childhood? What is the best place for a barbecue? What type of food is the best for this occasion? How often do you cook on a barbecue? Does anyone help you when you cook on a barbecue?
š§āšTarget language:
commonplace (adjective) -something common / normal
āas I have got older and have met friends with homes in the suburbs or summer homes in the country, this has become more commonplace.ā
Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
Step 4: Below is Mondayās 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. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)
Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!š£ļøš²
“To be completely honest, no, I donāt like them very much. This is something we do in this country quite a bit in the summer but because of the heat I find it far too tedious for my liking.”
Step 5: Itās very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this weekās lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.š
Transcript
Where are you from?
I am from Lagos, the capital city of this country, Nigeria.
Do you work or study?
I recently graduated university and started my first professional job.
What do you do?
I work in an international engineering company as the administrative assistant for the sales department.
Do you like barbecue parties?
To be completely honest, no, I donāt like them very much. This is something we do in this country quite a bit in the summer but because of the heat I find it far too tedious for my liking.
Did you have barbecue parties in your childhood?
I grew up in an apartment building so this was not something I was familiar with, but as I have got older and have met friends with homes in the suburbs or summer homes in the country, this has become more commonplace.
What is the best place for a barbecue?
Clearly somewhere cool with a lot of shade. I recently attended a barbecue at a friendās summer home by the sea. The sea breeze made the evening comfortable and the view of the water was relaxing. I suppose this is the ideal setting for a barbecue.
What type of food is the best for this occasion?
In this country, we typically grill various meats like beef or lamb. Sometimes we grill chicken too. However, I really enjoy grilled vegetables like aubergines or courgettes. Some people also grill goat cheese wrapped in aluminum.
How often do you cook on a barbecue?
Personally, because of my accommodations, I donāt barbecue at all but typically Iām invited two or three times per summer for such cook-ups.
Does anyone help you when you cook on a barbecue?
Well, Iām not usually the main cook, so itās more me helping someone else. I try to help by preparing a salad, preparing appetizers or setting the table.
Thank you. Now, in this first part, Iād like to ask you some questions about yourself. Do you come from a large or small family?
My family is relatively large. There are five of us: my parents, brother, sister and me.
OK. And do the members of your family live together?
No. My parents live in the same house I grew up in. This house is in a town called Pembroke. At the moment, my sister is living there, too. But she is only there because she is on break from her studies at university. My brother lives and works in Toronto, and I am living in Toronto, too.
Do you have a lot in common with the other members of your family?
Umm, not really, but we are nevertheless very close. We always love getting together and catching up on each otherās news. My parents have a quiet, country lifestyle. Itās very different from the busy city lifestyle of Toronto. My brother enjoys watching sports and camping and hiking in the mountains; heās very outdoorsy. My sister is a bit of a socialite, so she likes going out with friends and arranging little get-togethers. Iām a bit on the quiet side. At the moment, I mostly just focus on my studies.
Are you currently working?
I am, but only part time. I am a part time university student.
Can you tell me about your studies?
Well, Iām completing an undergraduate Arts degree with a major of criminology. Because I am a part time student, I only have nine hours of class a week. I have three-hour lectures every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and I am really enjoying the courses. The professors are interesting.
Thatās wonderful. And what sort of part time work do you do?
I am waiter in a restaurant on the campus of my university.
I see. Do you enjoy that kind of work?
Honestly, not really. Iām not naturally a very social person, and waiting tables tends to demand this sort of personality. Also, university students do not tend to leave handsome tips. But, I shouldnāt complain. Itās a job and it does help fund my studies.
Letās talk about friends. Do you have many friends at your university?
Yes, I have a small handful of friends. But I suppose I would describe our relationship as more study partners than friends. We donāt really socialize outside of course-related topics.
Do you think friendships change as people get older?
Yes, definitely. I think life often makes demands of people and this can pull friends closer or push them away. A good friend of mine recently had a baby. I am very happy for him, but I know that this new development in his life will mean he and I will spend less time together. This is fine, I mean, of course he needs to spend time with his baby, but I think these sorts of life developments can change the dynamics of a friendship.
What sort of person do you easily make friends with?
I like people that have opinions. I enjoy talking with people about different subjects and hearing what they have to say about those subjects. I think I easily make friends with people that are good communicators. I donāt think we need to like all of the same things, but if we do share a few interests, that is obviously a plus. Character wise, I prefer quiet people to loud people.
Thank you. OK, letās change topics. What do you do in your free time?
I have several hobbies. I enjoy jogging. I try to get a jog in every day. I also have a dog, so I spend quite a bit of time at the park. Um, I enjoy reading and surfing the net. I keep an online blog. It is a diary of my day-to-day life. I enjoy watching movies. I guess those are the main things I do in my free time.
What sort of pastimes are popular among Canadians?
Most Canadians like to play and watch hockey. I would say this is a very popular pastime. Canadians also like the outdoors, so hiking in the mountains, camping and canoeing are all popular hobbies. Um, Canada is a multicultural place, so I feel there are a lot of cross-cultural hobbies. Many Canadians like learning how to cook foods from other countries, for example. These are probably the most popular Canadian hobbies.
Thank you. Now Iād like to ask you to speak one to two minutes on a topic.
Normally, you would have one minute to plan your answer, but for the sake of this recording we are going to skip this step.
Your cue card reads:
Describe someone who has had an important influence on your life. You should say: -Who the person is -How long you have known him/her -What qualities this person has -and explain why they have had such an influence on you.
Remember you have one to two minutes to deliver this monologue. Iāll tell you when the time is up. Start speaking now, please.
I am going to talk about my high school music teacher, Mr. McGrady, and how he has influenced my life. I have known Mr. McGrady for about five years. He is a very patient man and an excellent teacher, and I feel he instills music appreciation and understanding in all of the students he teaches. He is also a very dedicated teacher. I remember he would come to school early four days a week to conduct our high school band. In doing this, I think he demonstrated a lot of commitment and leadership, and I believe these qualities rubbed off on the students he taught. I havenāt seen him in a few years, but I do not doubt he is just as much the positive image today as he was when I was his student.
For me personally, Mr. McGrady has influenced the way I see the subject of music. I played saxophone in the high school band, and by watching Mr. McGrady interact with the different instrument groups, I saw first hand how these orchestral sections operate and come together to create music.
Mr. McGrady was also always trying to push students outside of their comfort zones, and this greatly influenced me. For example, he encouraged me to join a singing group that he had organized. I couldnāt sing then and I canāt sing now, but it was encouraging to feel that he believed enough in me to ask me to join.
So, overall, I feel Mr. McGrady, firstly, acted as a wonderful role model. Secondly, he taught me how to look at music differently. And thirdly he pushed me to try new things. These are the three main ways he influenced me, and Iām very thankful I had a teacher like him.
Thank you. You mentioned you hadnāt see Mr. McGrady in a few years. Do you think you will see him again?
I hope so. I know heās busy teaching his classes these days. I should drop by my old high school and see him and thank him again for the things he has done for me.
How important is it for people to have positive role models during their formative years?
I think it is quite key. Young people are very impressionistic, in my opinion. They are willing to mimic the actions of those around them. Surrounding a young person with positive role models gives these young people something healthy to aspire to be.
Do you think the role models young people look up to today are similar to the role models young people looked up to 25 years ago?
Hmm, thatās an interesting question. I would say that the core values of todayās role models are the same as 25 years ago. I think qualities like integrity, diligence, benevolence and reliability will always be considered positive. I suppose a difference today is that young people are exposed to more people through different media channels, so the pool of potential role models increases. I would say this is a positive thing, so long as parents ensure the role models young people look up to are healthy ones. But to answer your question, yes, I would say the majority of todayās role models are more or less the same as 25 years ago.
What sorts of people make poor role models in your opinion?
People with serious personal problems, I think. Anger problems or people that have become generally disappointed with life. I donāt think they inspire hard work or ambition. Of course, people with substance abuse problems. Role models should be individuals that you can aspire to be. If that person has serious problems, then aspiring to be like them may not be healthy.
Do you think pop icons make good role models?
By pop icons you meanā¦
ā¦singers, actorsā¦
Well, I think they can be role models. But the fact that they arenāt completely accessible to young people makes them significantly different. Young people canāt call up a pop icon and ask them for advice, for example. But, so long as the star is a good person, I donāt think they are a negative influence on a young person. So, yes, pop icons can make good role models, but young people also need role models they can talk to and learn directly from.
Are you anyoneās role model?
Am I anyoneās role modelā¦ Yes. My cousin has a son, named Ethan. Heās 5, and I see him every other week because they live here in Toronto. I think Ethan looks up to me. I guess thatās partly because I am a man in his life that is a little younger than his father. I try my best to be a positive person so that he will aspire to be one, too.
