Repeat After Me! Improve your IELTS Speaking score through speech shadowing!

Category: Culture

  • Lesson 87: Leisure time and activities🎳

    This week’s lesson trains you to speak about activities you do when not working or studying.

    Step 1: Listen to the full band 9 sample response.

    Step 2: This week’s IELTSCast episode is temporarily unavailable.

    Step 3: Engage the full speech shadowing exercise.

    Step 4: Do some analysis of the below transcript and make special note of the new language items you learned this week.

    Step 5: Engage this week’s speaking exercises with your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    What do people in your country do when they have a day off?

    In my country, people spend their days off in a variety of ways. Some people prefer to spend their time alone at home, relaxing and unwinding from the stress of work or school. They may choose to read a book, watch a movie, or simply take a nap. Other people, on the other hand, prefer to go out with friends and engage in social activities such as going to a restaurant, seeing a movie, or going shopping.

    Some people like spending time alone at home on a day off, while others prefer going out with friends. Why is this?

    The reason for this difference in preference may have to do with individual personality and lifestyle. Some people may value alone time and find it energising, while others may find that being in groups of people is more enjoyable and fulfilling. Additionally, some people may have more responsibilities or commitments that make it difficult for them to go out, while other people may have more freedom to use their time as they wish.

    Are people spending their free time in different ways now compared to the past?

    Compared to the past, I believe that people are spending their time in different ways now. For example, with the advent of technology, people now have more access to online entertainment and social media, which they can use to stay connected with others even when they are at home. Additionally, many people now have more disposable income and can afford to engage in more leisure activities such as traveling or taking up hobbies.

    Do you think that technology has changed the way people enjoy their leisure time now?

    Technology has certainly changed the way people enjoy their leisure time. With the rise of smartphones and other mobile devices, people are now able to access the internet and various forms of entertainment from anywhere and at any time. This has shifted people away from traditional forms of leisure, such as reading a book or watching TV, to more interactive and social activities, such as online gaming or social media.

    Who do you think has more leisure time, older or younger people? And why?

    In terms of age, I believe that older people may have more leisure time than younger people. This is because older people are more likely to have retired from their jobs, and therefore have more free time to spend on leisure activities. Younger people, on the other hand, are more likely to be in school or starting their career and thus have less free time.

    Do you think it is true that young people enjoy active leisure activities more often than older people?

    In terms of leisure activities, I think it is true that young people tend to enjoy more active leisure activities more often than older people. This is likely due to the fact that young people tend to have more energy and are more physically capable than older people. Additionally, young people may be more inclined to seek out new and exciting experiences, which active leisure activities can provide.

  • Lesson 81: Meeting people and social media📱

    This week, you will train to speak about meeting people and social media.

    Step 1: Listen to the full sample.

    Step 2: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode.

    Step 3: Engage the full exercise.

    Step 4: Read through the below transcript and note the new language you encountered this week.

    Step 5: Post your speaking samples to your Whatsapp group and wait for feedback.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Do people become friends because they have a similar personality?

    While this can be true, I don’t believe this is always the case. I think there need to be some similarities like common interests or a similar sense of humour, but looking at my friends I would say that our personalities are actually quite different. There are other things that bond us: mutual understanding, shared experiences and the things I previously mentioned. However, on the whole I would not say our personalities are the same. 

    How do people in your country behave to a new person when they meet for the first time?

    Well, in my country, we generally try to make the new person feel at ease. We definitely try to make them feel welcomed and so we show an interest in him or her. If the meeting is at our home, then we go to great lengths to make the newcomer feel honoured. So, we repeatedly offer food and drinks and make sure the guest knows that we value their presence. 

    How can we make people feel comfortable the first time we meet them?

    In my experience, humour is the best way. People who use self-deprecating humour always seem to make others around them feel comfortable because it shows the other person they can relax and are free to be casual. When you show you can laugh at yourself you exhibit self-confidence while also breaking the ice with the people around you. 

    How do people maintain social contact with coworkers or colleagues?

    I think social media goes a long way toward fostering personal relationships. Many of us don’t know our colleagues’ birthdays but apps like Facebook offer reminders so you can send someone wishes or even plan a mini celebration at work. Social media also lets you see who your co-workers are outside of work so you can see if you have similar interests or hobbies. This can be a starting point for a friendly relationship that extends beyond a simple acquaintance. 

    Do you think it is a good idea for companies to give breaks to their employees?

    I think that even if companies don’t give them employees will find a way to take them! Few people can work without interruption or break for eight hours or more. The mind needs to unwind, the body needs to move – or not move – but no work activity can or should be sustained for many hours without a short break. This leads to burnout and exhaustion, which leads to lowered productivity…so short-sighted thinking can potentially have long-lasting results. That is why I think it is a tragic mistake to not allow employee breaks.

  • Lesson 76: Photos🖼️

    This week’s lesson examines a Part 1 response that asks the candidate about their studies and the topic of ‘photos’.

    Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below):

    Part 1 Questions
    Do you work or study?
    Do you enjoy studying this?
    How will your studies help you in the future?
    Let’s talk about photos. Do you enjoy taking photos?
    Do you like to take photos of yourself?
    Would you consider getting a professional photo taken of yourself?
    Do you have a special family photo?
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    At the risk of sounding (adjective), …
    -awareness that saying something may cause a certain perception

    “At the risk of sounding narcissistic, yes, I do enjoy taking my own photo.”

    Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

    Step 3: Engage this week’s full ‘repeat after me’ exercise.

    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!🗣️📲

    “Yes, it has been my dream since childhood to study psychology. The different theories that attempt to explain human behaviour never cease to amaze me.”
    Chat on WhatsApp

    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

    Do you work or study?

    I study psychology at the university here.

    Do you enjoy studying this?

    Yes, it has been my dream since childhood to study psychology. The different theories that attempt to explain human behaviour never cease to amaze me.

    How will your studies help you in the future?

    I hope to attend a graduate programme to get a specialisation in family and child psychology, so my undergraduate degree is a necessary first step.

    Let’s talk about photos. Do you enjoy taking photos?

    Photography is one of my hobbies, so yes, I can often be found with my camera taking pictures of beautiful scenery.

    Do you like to take photos of yourself?

    At the risk of sounding narcissistic, yes, I do enjoy taking my own photo. Essentially though, it’s because I am never happy with the photos others take of me. So, if I don’t take a decent photo of myself once in a while, none would exist.

    Would you consider getting a professional photo taken of yourself?

    I was somewhat forced to do this last year. My brother and his wife arranged for a series of family portraits for my parents’ wedding anniversary. It was a lovely, albeit awkward, experience.

    Do you have a special family photo?

    Interestingly, even though a professional took our photos, I don’t consider these “special.” For me, I consider a photograph from my brother’s graduation special. The whole family is there, even my grandmother who is no longer with us. We are happy and just beaming with pride.

    Thank you.

  • Lesson 63: Work-life balance👪

    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: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).

    Part 3 Questions
    Why don’t 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?
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    I think there are several reasons for this.
    -phrase used to cue a longer response

    “I think there are several reasons for this. Firstly, … For example, … Further, …“

    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. (If you do not yet have access, click here to sign up for full lessons.)

    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. (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!🗣️📲

    “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, it’s hard to ignore a request from a coworker if they can see through an app that you are online.”
    Chat on WhatsApp

    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

    We’ve been talking about time, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Why don’t 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, it’s 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 worker’s 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 it’s 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, it’s 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 can’t be reached, whether that’s 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, it’s also a source of a tremendous amount of distraction. I mean, it’s 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!