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

Category: Experiences

  • Lesson 107: A gift of money💰

    This week, you will use the following cue card to train for Part 2 of IELTS Speaking:

    Describe a time when you received money as a gift from a family member. You should say
    -when you received the gift
    -why you received it
    -what you did with the money
    -and explain how you felt after receiving the gift

    Step 1: Listen to the full sample.

    Step 2: Work through the sample exercise in the below podcast episode.

    Step 3: (Full lesson temporarily unavailable.)

    Step 4: Read through the below transcript.

    Step 5: Complete the speech exercises with your Whatsapp instructor.

    Transcript

    Describe a time when you received money as a gift from a family member. You should say
    -when you received the gift
    -why you received it
    -what you did with the money
    -and explain how you felt after receiving the gift

    On my last birthday, my grandmother surprised me with a generous sum of money as a gift. It was a delightful and unexpected gesture from her, and she explained that she wanted me to use the money in any way I pleased.

    After receiving the gift, I carefully considered how to utilise the money in a way that would be both meaningful and memorable. I wanted to make sure it would have a lasting impact on my life. Therefore, I decided to invest a portion of the money in my education. I enrolled myself in an online course that I had been eyeing for a while. This course was directly related to my career aspirations, and I knew it would enhance my skills and open up new opportunities for me in the future.

    Additionally, I decided to allocate a portion of the money towards a long-awaited vacation. I had been longing to take a break and explore a new destination. With the financial gift from my grandmother, I was able to book a trip to a picturesque beach resort. It was an incredible experience, allowing me to relax, rejuvenate, and create beautiful memories.

    Receiving such a generous gift from my grandmother made me feel an immense sense of gratitude and appreciation. It was not just about the monetary value of the gift but also the thought and love behind it. Knowing that my grandmother cared about my dreams and aspirations, and wanted to contribute to my personal growth, touched me deeply. I will always cherish that memorable day and the impact this gift had on my life.

  • Lesson 103: T-shirts👕

    This week, you will train to speak about clothing, specifically T-shirts. Use the below shadowing technique to improve your fluency.

    Step 1: As always, start this week’s training by familiarising yourself with the model.

    Step 2: (The IELTSCast episode for this week is temporarily unavailable.)

    Step 3: Now complete your full shadowing practice using the below exercise. (If you do not yet have access to full exercises, click here.)

    Step 4: Read through the below transcript and make note of all items you found challenging or new this week.

    Step 5: Send your speech samples to your Whatsapp instructor and wait for their feedback.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Where do you live?

    I currently reside in Dhaka. It’s a vibrant city with lots to offer in terms of culture, entertainment, and opportunities.

    Do you like wearing T-shirts?

    Absolutely! T-shirts are comfortable and versatile, making them a staple in my wardrobe. I find them perfect for casual outings, exercise, or even lounging at home.

    How often do you wear T-shirts?

    I wear T-shirts almost every day, especially during the warmer months. They’re easy to style and can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.

    What kind of T-shirts do you wear for different occasions?

    For casual outings or running errands, I usually wear plain, solid-coloured T-shirts. For more formal events, I opt for dressier T-shirts with a subtle pattern or design. I also enjoy wearing graphic tees with quirky prints for a funkier look.

    Have you ever bought a T-shirt as a souvenir from a place you visited?

    Yes, I have. I think buying a T-shirt as a souvenir is a great way to remember a trip or experience. I have a collection of T-shirts from various places that hold special memories for me.

    What do you think of T-shirts with slogans or messages on them?

    I think T-shirts with slogans or messages on them can be a great way to express oneself or make a statement. However, I do believe that the message should be positive and respectful. I find it inappropriate when T-shirts have offensive or derogatory messages on them.

  • Lesson 101: A noisy situation😖

    Is speech shadowing effective? Yes! Let this lesson about ‘a noisy situation’ convince you. Here is the Part 2 cue card we are using in today’s exercise:

    Describe a situation where you experienced a lot of noise.
    You should say:

    -Where you were
    -What made the noise
    -How the noise affected you
    -And what you did do to deal with the noise

    Part 1: First, listen to the full sample.

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

    Step 3: Complete the full exercise by watching the below video.

    Step 4: Read through the below transcript and note what you’ve learned today.

    Step 5: Submit your five speaking samples to your Whatsapp instructor and wait for their feedback.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Describe a situation where you experienced a lot of noise.
    You should say:

    -Where you were
    -What made the noise
    -How the noise affected you
    -And what you did do to deal with the noise

    I’m going to describe a situation where I experienced a lot of noise. This happened a few months ago when I was visiting a friend who lived near a construction site. The noise was coming from the construction site, where they were building a new apartment complex.

    The construction was very loud and it affected me in a number of ways. First of all, it was difficult to carry on a conversation with my friend because we occasionally had to shout to hear each other over the noise. Additionally, the noise was so persistent that it was difficult to focus on anything else. I found myself becoming increasingly irritable and frustrated as the noise continued.

    In order to deal with the noise, we decided to leave the apartment and go for a walk in a nearby park. This helped us to get away from the noise and enjoy some peace and quiet for a while. We also wore earplugs when we were inside the apartment, which helped to reduce the noise somewhat.

    Overall, the experience was very frustrating, but I learned a lot from it. I realised how much noise can affect my mood and my ability to focus, and I have since become more aware of the noise levels in my environment. If I ever find myself in a similar situation again, I will be sure to take steps to minimise the impact of the noise on my wellbeing.

    Thank you.

  • Lesson 97: A leisure activity you did when you were young🏓

    This week, you will use the speech shadowing process to talk about a leisure activity you did when you were young. Here is the cue card used in today’s training:

    Describe a leisure activity that you did when you were young.

    You should say:

    -what it was

    -where you did it

    -who you did it with

    -and explain how you felt about this activity

    Part 1 and 2: These sections are temporarily unavailable.

    Part 3: Complete the full exercise below.

    Part 4: Refer to the below transcript of this week’s exercise and note any challenging language you came across.

    Part 5: Submit your own speech samples to your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Describe a leisure activity that you did when you were young.

    You should say:

    -what it was

    -where you did it

    -who you did it with

    -and explain how you felt about this activity

    When I was young, I was an avid reader. I would usually read in my bedroom, which was my favourite spot to escape into a different world. My parents were very supportive of my reading habit and they would often take me to the library or bookstore to pick out new books. I would also borrow books from my friends at school and exchange recommendations with them.

    Reading was a solitary activity for me, but it allowed me to explore different perspectives and ideas. It was a way for me to travel to different places and experience different cultures, all from the comfort of my own home. It was also a way for me to learn new things and broaden my horizons.

    I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation whenever I started a new book. I would become completely engrossed in the story and would lose track of time. Reading was a way for me to escape from reality and enter a different world, even if it was just for a little while.

    Overall, reading was a leisure activity that brought me immense pleasure and satisfaction when I was young. It allowed me to explore new ideas and perspectives, and it helped me to develop my imagination and creativity. Even now, as an adult, I still love to read and I credit my childhood reading habit for fostering a lifelong love of learning.

  • Lesson 91: Shoes👟

    This week, you will train for IELTS Speaking Part 1. This model talks about a very unique topic: shoes!

    Part 1: Listen to the full sample.

    Part 2: Tune in to this week’s IELTSCast episode and practist repeating some of the language.

    Part 3: Complete the full speech shadowing exercise.

    Part 4: Read through the transcript and identify any areas to review.

    Part 5: Submit your speaking samples to your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Do you study or work?

    I am currently pursuing a higher education at a well-renowned university. I am studying a multidisciplinary field which is a balanced combination of my diverse interests.

    Where do you study?

    My university is located in the bustling city centre, providing a perfect combination of academic rigor and cultural diversity. It’s a supportive learning environment that I find motivates me to achieve my goals.

    What type of shoes do you wear?

    I am quite meticulous when it comes to footwear, as it plays a crucial role in my daily comfort. I usually wear premium sneakers made from high-quality materials, which offer excellent cushioning and support.

    What is your favourite colour for shoes?

    My favourite shoe colour is navy blue. I find it to be a timeless and stylish colour that can be easily paired with a wide range of other clothing.

    Do you often buy shoes in this colour?

    Yes, I often purchase shoes in this particular shade as I find it to be a reliable choice for various occasions. Moreover, because it is a darker colour, any scuffs or other signs of wear and tear are difficult to see.

    How often do you buy new shoes?

    I believe in the philosophy of investing in quality over quantity, which is why I don’t buy shoes frequently. I usually purchase a new pair of shoes every 8 to 10 months, or when my current pair starts to show clear signs of age.

    When did you last buy a pair of shoes?

    I actually bought my last pair of shoes just a few weeks ago. They are navy blue sneakers made from premium materials, and I am thoroughly impressed with their comfort and performance. I can confidently say that they are among the best shoes I have ever owned.

  • Lesson 89: An inexpensive outing🚵

    We’re talking about ‘an inexpensive outing’ this week. Can you remember a time when you did something inexpensively?

    Step 1: Listen to the full sample.

    Step 2: This week’s IELTSCast episode is unavailable. It will be back up soon.

    Step 3: Engage the full exercise.

    Step 4: Read through this week’s transcript.

    Step 5: Complete your speech exercises with your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Describe a day out that didn’t cost much. You should say
    -where you went
    -what you did
    -what you spent money on
    -and explain whether you enjoyed the day out and why

    I recently had a day out that was both enjoyable and affordable. I went to a nearby park with a few of my friends. We all brought our own food and drinks and had a picnic on the grassy lawn. We spent the whole day playing games, like frisbee and soccer, and just enjoying each other’s company. The only money we spent was on parking, which came to about $5.

    I really loved this day for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was a beautiful day and being surrounded by nature was really peaceful and calming. Secondly, I got to spend quality time with my friends and we had so much fun playing games and just chatting. It was such a great reminder that sometimes the simplest things in life can bring the most happiness.

    Another reason I enjoyed this day out was because it was so affordable. I love going out and trying new things, but often these activities can be quite expensive. This day out showed me that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a great time. All you need is good company and a positive attitude, and you can have an enjoyable day no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

    Overall, this day out was a really memorable experience for me, and I would definitely do it again. It was a great reminder that sometimes the best things in life are the ones that don’t cost much.

  • Lesson 88: Your job and advertisements📮

    Talking about your job is one of the most common topics in IELTS Speaking. In today’s lesson, you will train to speak about this topic and also the topic of advertisements.

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

    Part 1 Questions

    Do you work or study?
    What are your responsibilities at work?
    Why did you choose this job?
    Is there something you don’t like about your job?
    Let’s talk about advertisements. Tell me about an advertisement you saw recently that you enjoyed.
    Would you like to be in an advertisement one day?
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    primary (adjective)
    -central or most important

    “My primary responsibilities include monitoring inventory levels along our supply chains and arranging stock replenishment when it is needed.”

    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!🗣️📲

    “My primary responsibilities include monitoring inventory levels along our supply chains and arranging stock replenishment when it is needed. I communicate closely with our sales team and create purchase orders for items based on our forecasted figures.”
    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 am currently working as a purchasing manager with a medium sized construction company.

    What are your responsibilities at work?

    My primary responsibilities include monitoring inventory levels along our supply chains and arranging stock replenishment when it is needed. I communicate closely with our sales team and create purchase orders for items based on our forecasted figures.

    Why did you choose this job?

    I actually didn’t choose this job. I was working as a warehouse manager when a vacancy as a purchasing manager opened up. The directors at the company thought I would be a great fit for the role and encouraged me to join.

    Is there something you don’t like about your job?

    I like most things about my job, but if I had to choose something I would say that the role requires dealing with a fair amount of uncertainty, and I don’t terribly like this. The construction industry has seasonal fluctuations, and sometimes demand for our product can be difficult to forecast. This can be a source of significant stress for me.

    Let’s talk about advertisements. Tell me about an advertisement you saw recently that you enjoyed.

    Recently, I saw an advertisement for a new mobile application that promised to help users stay organised and manage their time more effectively. What I liked about the advertisement was that it was very visually appealing and easy to understand. They used simple and clear language to convey the features and benefits of the app and the animation was very engaging.

    Would you like to be in an advertisement one day?

    I think it could be an interesting experience to be in an advertisement one day. I could use it as a great opportunity to showcase my personality and talents to a wider audience. However, I would only want to be a part of an advertisement campaign that aligns with my values and beliefs.

  • Lesson 86: A memorable outdoor activity⛰️

    This lesson requires you describe an outdoor activity you did that was memorable for you.

    Step 1: Listen to the full band 9 model.

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

    Step 3: Work through this week’s full exercise.

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

    Step 5: Submit your speaking samples to your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Describe a memorable outdoor activity that you have participated in.
    What did you do during this activity?
    Who did you go with?
    Why was it memorable for you?
    And say how you felt during and after this activity.

    One memorable outdoor activity that I participated in was a multi-day hiking trip through the mountains. I went with a group of friends, and we spent several days hiking through beautiful wilderness areas, camping out under the stars, and exploring the local flora and fauna. Sometimes my friends and I would get lost in deep conversation as we trekked, but there were also long stretches when we walked in silence and I was completely alone with my thoughts.

    The reason this trip was so memorable for me was because it was the first time I had ever gone on a long-distance hike. It was physically challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. I felt a sense of accomplishment and freedom as we hiked through the stunning landscapes, and the sense of camaraderie with my friends was unbeatable.

    During the hike, I felt a mix of excitement and exhaustion. There were moments when I was really pushing myself to keep going, but then there were also moments of pure joy and wonder as we took in the breathtaking views. And after the hike, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment and pride in what we had achieved.

    Overall, this was a truly memorable outdoor activity for me, and one that I will always cherish.

  • Lesson 84: Teaching styles and learning👨‍🏫

    This week, you will speech about different teaching and learning styles.

    Step 1: Listen to this week’s band 9 model response.

    Step 2: Watch this week’s IELTSCast episode.

    Step 3: Engage the full speech shadowing exercise.

    Step 4: Read through the below transcript. What new language did you learn this week? Make a note so you can review this language at a later date.

    Step 5: Submit your speaking samples to your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    We’ve 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 student’s 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 can’t 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 don’t anticipate drastic changes in the foreseeable future. I imagine the next few years will involve solidifying our use of current technologies.

  • Lesson 83: A lesson you remember👨‍🎓

    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.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    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 can’t 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 tutor’s 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.