Weāve been talking about a lesson that you remember well, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. What makes a lesson memorable?
I think a few things help achieve this. Firstly, the teacher has a lot to do with it. Teachers that can make a subject interesting to the learner will always have memorable lessons. The learning environment can also enhance the experience. I used to study Arabic with a tutor while living in Dubai. We would meet in shopping malls and he would help me practise by watching me speak in Arabic to shop owners. Those were lessons I will never forget!
Why do people hire private tutors?
In many cases, it depends on the studentās learning style. Some people prefer having designated one-on-one time with the teacher so that they can focus on their own weaknesses without having to concern themselves with the needs of other students. I enjoy both classroom instruction and private tuition, but when studying languages I prefer having a private tutor that can give me immediate and ongoing feedback. I feel this accelerates my progress.
How are younger and older teachers different?
They are different in many ways. Often older teachers have a much deeper understanding of the topic they are teaching, and this just comes from experience. However, younger teachers might have better understanding of technology and how the topic might be applied to contemporary times. In the advertising industry, for example, there may be statistical understanding that an older teacher explains better, whereas a younger teacher has a better grasp of the reach and demographics best hit by apps like Instagram.
How have teaching styles changed compared to the past?
Teaching these days makes much greater use of technology. I canāt remember the last time I saw a classroom with chalk sticks and a blackboard. Since COVID, it is also common for teaching styles to blend distance with in-person learning. Certain skills are also considered central to the learning experience now. For example, a lot of learning these days demands students research a topic using a variety of media on the internet.
Do you expect people to learn in the same way in the future?
I feel learning styles will forever evolve, but for now I think learning will occur through a blend of virtual and in-person methods. I feel like humanity is still a bit shaky on how to use some of the technology that was introduced during the global lockdown, so I donāt anticipate drastic changes in the foreseeable future. I imagine the next few years will involve solidifying our use of current technologies.
This week’s lesson looks at the topic of ‘education’ and specifically ‘a lesson your remember well’. This is a Part 2 lesson that uses the following cue card:
Talk about a lesson that you remember well. You should say -when and where it was -who taught you the lesson -what you learned -and explain why you remember the lesson well
Step 1: Listen to the full band 9 speech sample.
Step 2: Work through the sample exercise in this week’s IELTSCast episode.
Step 3: Complete the full shadowing exercise.
Step 4: Read through the below transcript and note all of the new language you came across this week.
Step 5: Complete your speech exercises with your Whatsapp instructor.
Talk about a lesson that you remember well. You should say -when and where it was -who taught you the lesson -what you learned -and explain why you remember the lesson well
As far as school is concerned, I canāt in all honesty say I remember many lessons. However, I do remember a lesson I had with my English tutor. The lesson I remember very well was one that I had fairly recently in order to prepare for my IELTS exam.
I was at my tutorās home around four months ago and she began explaining writing Task 1 to me. I was extremely nervous about Task 1 because all my friends who had taken IELTS told me how tricky it was. Fortunately, my tutor explained it to me very methodically and demystified it for me. She showed me how to organise my ideas and what kind of language to use. She taught me how to group information appropriately, what to edit out and what to include, and how to communicate these areas in an appropriate tone. It initially felt like a great deal of information to synthesise but with some practice, it became a piece of cake.
I took the writing portion of the test earlier today and feel like I utilised every bit of information my tutor provided, so I believe this is a lesson that is not only memorable but will be a crucial component to my success in the exams.
I think the garden is what makes it so inviting. It is lush and green, with beautiful flowers planted.
Do you keep things from your childhood?
I have more mementos than I should! I have stuffed animals, certain pieces of artwork and even some sports jerseys. I simply canāt bear to part with them! Letās talk about lifestyle.
Do you think people should spend their free time at home or outside?
Given the amount of time most of us spend indoors for work I believe we should spend leisure time outside. Of course, someone who works outside would probably better appreciate time inside, perhaps reading, cooking or relaxing. It really depends on what a personās lifestyle is but in our free time we should do what we miss at work.
Has technology changed the way people spend their leisure time?
Most certainly it has. You no longer need to leave your home to spend time with friends; you just do a video call with them. Even the way we meet people has changed. Most of my current circle of friends are people that I met online. Letās talk about books.
What type of books do you read?
Well, I make every effort to read books written in English. I tend to prefer historical fiction books. I used to try to read classics but I find that language has changed so much in the past two hundred years or so that when I read something from that era, itās like reading a different language! So, now I prefer more contemporary fiction.
Do you think you read more when you were younger compared to now?
I was a total bookworm when I was younger. My parents had to scold me to put the books away to go to bed. I think after my university studies, when the purpose of reading was necessity and not pleasure, I reduced the amount I read for leisure.
Have you ever watched a movie and then read the book it is based on?
Not that I am aware of. I usually do the opposite. I like a book, the movie is released and then I compare my take on the story to the directorās. I usually prefer mine!
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 weekās 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? Letās 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?
š§āšTarget language:
At the risk of sounding (adjective), … -awareness that saying something may cause a certain perception
āAt the risk of sounding narcissistic, yes, I do enjoy taking my own photo.ā
Step 2:Ā 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: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.
Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!š£ļøš²
“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.”
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
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.
Letās 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, itās because I am never happy with the photos others take of me. So, if I donāt 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 parentsā 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 donāt consider these āspecial.ā For me, I consider a photograph from my brotherās graduation special. The whole family is there, even my grandmother who is no longer with us. We are happy and just beaming with pride.
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
š§āšTarget 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 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.
Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!š£ļøš²
“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.š
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 ā I simply left the office and went for a walk. I donāt 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 wonāt repeat the same mistake again.
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.
