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

Category: Experiences

  • 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 80: A story someone told you🦋

    This week, you will practise responding to the following Part 2 cue card:

    Talk about a story someone told you that you remember well. Please say:
    -what the story is about
    -who told you the story
    -when he/she told you the story
    -and explain why you remember it so well

    Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version below) to become familiar with the speech sample. This episode will also push you to practise saying a few sentences from the model.

    Step 2: If at any time you’d like to hear the original sample without pauses, you can listen to it here.

    Step 3: Work through this week’s full 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!📲

    “This story was told to me several years ago. It is nothing short of incredible, and I’d have a hard time believing it had actually happened if it weren’t my brother who told me.”
    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Talk about a story someone told you that you remember well. Please say:
    -what the story is about
    -who told you the story
    -when he/she told you the story
    -and explain why you remember it so well

    “This story was told to me several years ago. It is nothing short of incredible, and I’d have a hard time believing it had actually happened if it weren’t my brother who told me.

    My brother had planned to propose to his girlfriend of several years, and he put the engagement ring in his pocket hoping to surprise her when they met later that day. His girlfriend worked at the public transit depot in our city, so my brother’s plan was to take the bus to her office and walk with her to a park nearby where they could picnic and he could ask her to marry him.

    Unfortunately, when he went to put his coins into the bus’s fare repository, he accidentally dropped the engagement ring in too! He realised it a minute later and told the driver who radioed to have someone ready at the terminal station to open the repository and retrieve the ring.

    When the bus pulled into the transit depot, my brother’s girlfriend was standing there. The ring was quickly retrieved and my brother proposed to her right there on the spot!

    My brother and his wife remain happily married to this day, so as you can imagine this story is a cherished family memory that gets told a lot.”

  • Lesson 78: The value of things 💎

    This week, you will train to speak about ‘the value of something’ and ‘a person’s values’.

    Step 1: Watch this week’s lesson.

    Part 3 Questions
    Would you recommend this item or service to others?
    Do people value free things less than items that are purchased?
    Is there anything more valuable than money?
    Do you think money can change a person’s values?
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    flipside (noun)
    Another version of something

    “On the flipside, when you have money you will spend it to save time.”

    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!🗣️📲

    “They did a fine job on the car, so yes, I would recommend it. Those of us who live in the city don’t typically have the space to wash our cars ourselves, so we must get this done professionally.”
    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

    (Note: In Part 2 of this exam, the candidate speaks about a free car wash they received.)

    Would you recommend this item or service to others?

    They did a fine job on the car, so yes, I would recommend it. Those of us who live in the city don’t typically have the space to wash our cars ourselves, so we must get this done professionally.

    Do people value free things less than items that are purchased?

    Typically yes. Usually free items are something of a gimmick, a way to pull you in to earn your loyalty and convince you to buy more. They are very rarely of high value – if they were you would have to pay for them! People know that it is part of a ploy and don’t always appreciate the free item.

    Is there anything more valuable than money?

    Absolutely. Obviously things like health, family and loved ones are more valuable but I would also say time is more valuable. This is particularly true for people who happen to have a lot of money. They are happy to spend more for something if it means it will save them time.

    Do you think money can change a person’s values?

    I think the example I just shared is a good illustration of how money can change a person’s values. When you don’t have money, you will spend time to save money. On the flipside, when you have money you will spend it to save time. Having money – or not – will change what you place a premium on.

  • Lesson 77: A free item or service👍

    This week, you will train to talk about a free item or service you received.

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

    Part 2 Cue Card

    Talk about a free item or service you received. Please say
    -what item or service it was
    -why it was free
    -what you did to receive it
    -and explain how you felt about receiving this item or service
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    strapped (adjective)
    Short of money

    “I was strapped for cash.”

    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!🗣️📲

    “Some time ago, I was driving my car and had to stop for gas. I remember being very anxious as it was in the middle of my exam period, so I was studying and on top of that I had just paid for some expensive repairs on my car, so I was strapped for cash.”
    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

    Talk about a free item or service you received. Please say
    -what item or service it was
    -why it was free
    -what you did to receive it
    -and explain how you felt about receiving this item or service

    Some time ago, I was driving my car and had to stop for gas. I remember being very anxious as it was in the middle of my exam period, so I was studying and on top of that I had just paid for some expensive repairs on my car, so I was strapped for cash. Although the tank was nearly empty, I asked the attendant to put 10 pounds worth of fuel in my car. He started the pump and walked away.

    A minute or two later, I looked at the pump and saw that it read 40 pounds and was still going! I flagged down the attendant and reminded him that I had only asked for 10 pounds of fuel and now I had to pay nearly 50! He apologised profusely but said since I had been given the petrol I had to pay for it.

    Well, I take it the attendant could see from my face that I was in a tight position and pretty upset about the whole ordeal. He offered to pay for the difference out of his salary but I couldn’t in good conscience ask him to do that. That’s when he offered me three free car washes and a waxing instead. It wasn’t an ideal situation as I still had to pay for the fuel and essentially I was getting something I didn’t truly need but I accepted the offer. 

    It all worked out in the end because my car received some much needed care. I, of course, used the petrol and the attendant was satisfied that he didn’t have to pay for the fuel himself. 

  • Lesson 75: Spontaneity and unexpected situations🧩

    This week’s lesson examines Part 3 questions that ask the candidate to talk about spontaneous situations.

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

    Do you like surprises?
    Do you think doing things spontaneously is a good idea?
    How do unexpected situations make people feel?
    Why do some people feel stressed when things don’t go as planned?
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    on a whim (phrase)
    -Something done without careful planning

    “A house or car purchased on a whim can spell financial disaster.”

    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!🗣️📲

    “If they are pleasant surprises, yes, of course I enjoy a good surprise.”
    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 like surprises?

    If they are pleasant surprises, yes, of course I enjoy a good surprise. 

    Do you think doing things spontaneously is a good idea?

    It depends on what the things are. A trip taken spontaneously can be wonderfully adventurous and rejuvenating. However, a house or car purchased on a whim can spell financial disaster. So spontaneity can be a great way to bring some excitement to a person’s life but it has to be done in moderation.  

    How do unexpected situations make people feel?

    Generally, I think people are uncomfortable with the unknown. We say that we like excitement and novelty, but in reality we are creatures of habit and are uncomfortable in unfamiliar circumstances. People get anxious and if this feeling is prolonged or happens repeatedly, their well-being suffers. 

    Why do some people feel stressed when things don’t go as planned?

    People like a sense of control. Or rather, I should say they like the illusion of control. They like to feel like they are masters of their own destiny – although if you ask me, this is ridiculous. I think people get stressed because they are insecure about their ability to handle something unexpected, and it’s a little childish quite frankly.

    Thank you.

  • Lesson 74: Something that surprised you😲

    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!”
    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

    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.

  • Episode 68: Talking about photography and cars🚗

    This week’s topics jump around quite a bit – from photos to cars to car trips. Repeat after me in English to practise speaking about these topics.

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

    Part 1 Questions

    Where are you from?
    Do you like taking photos?
    What do you like to photograph, people or nature?
    Let’s talk about cars. Do you think the colour of a car is important?
    What kind of car would you like to have in the future?
    Do you enjoy car trips?
    Do you prefer being a driver or a passenger?
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    relive
    -remember something vividly

    “It also helps me remember what we were doing or how we were feeling when the picture was taken, which is a pleasant way to relive the experience.”

    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.

    Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

    “I love taking photos. I don’t have any professional photography equipment, but I have a few apps on my phone that allow me to capture colours and movement accurately and without blurriness.”
    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

    Where are you from?

    I am from a suburb of Hanoi. It’s in the north of the city.

    Do you like taking photos?

    I love taking photos. I don’t have any professional photography equipment, but I have a few apps on my phone that allow me to capture colours and movement accurately and without blurriness.

    What do you like to photograph, people or nature?

    I would say people. When I’m travelling, I like to take pictures of interesting places and objects, but I find these photos are more personal when they include my friends or people I care about. It also helps me remember what we were doing or how we were feeling when the picture was taken, which is a pleasant way to relive the experience.

    Let’s talk about cars. Do you think the colour of a car is important?

    I’m not super interested in cars, so to me personally the colour is not that important. However, certain colours, like mustard yellow or gold, look awful in my opinion, and I would imagine these colours would make reselling the car difficult. That’s about the extent to which I worry about the colour of a car.

    What kind of car would you like to have in the future?

    I’m mostly concerned with reliability – how long can I use the car before it starts breaking down? My brother bought a Mitsubishi Pajero a few years ago and has had no trouble with it, so were I to buy a new car I think I would probably follow suit. I like camping, so the larger frame of this model would make it easy for me to pack in all my things.

    Do you enjoy car trips?

    As I mentioned, I like camping but I’m not crazy about the long drive to get to the campground. I’m quite tall, so my legs often don’t fit comfortably in a car. Also, I sometimes find the motion of the car can make me feel a bit queasy.

    Do you prefer being a driver or a passenger?

    Neither I guess! But if I had to choose I would say the driver only because being in control of the car can help me with my motion sickness. It’s nice to have something to do on a long journey as well. If I’m the passenger, I’m more likely to get bored.

    Thank you.

  • Lesson 67: A new place🌁

    This week, you will train to speak about a new place you visited.

    Note: Some of you were asking for synonyms for ‘very’ last week. At one point in today’s model, the speaker uses ‘rather’ as a synonym for ‘very’. Listen closely to the sample to pinpoint where this is!

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

    Part 2 Cue Card

    Talk about a time when you visited a new place. Please say
    -where you were
    -why you went there
    -what you did
    -and explain how you felt in that place
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    busker
    -a person who performs in the street for monetary donations

    “There were a few buskers performing funny skits.”

    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.

    Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

    “About a year ago, my friend and I took a train across our city to visit a public park we had never been to before. We were a bit on the fence about going because the weather forecast called for rain, but the park was hosting a ‘food festival’ on that day only so we decided to chance it.”
    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

    Talk about a time when you visited a new place. Please say
    -where you were
    -why you went there
    -what you did
    -and explain how you felt in that place

    About a year ago, my friend and I took a train across our city to visit a public park we had never been to before. We were a bit on the fence about going because the weather forecast called for rain, but the park was hosting a ‘food festival’ on that day only so we decided to chance it. Luckily, not only did the rain stay away but it actually turned out to be a rather pleasant afternoon and we even got some sunshine!

    The festival featured numerous stalls where people from across the country cooked traditional foods from their region. My friend and I are both from Hanoi, so we were already familiar with most dishes, but it was nevertheless enjoyable to find grilled items and sauces that we hadn’t eaten in a long time. I remember having some traditional pastries with spicy dipping sauce and a little later in the day we both enjoyed a selection of barbecued seafood and meats. Some of the flavours brought me right back to my childhood. I think we both found it hard not to feel a little nostalgic!

    The park is really beautiful and has many scenic walkways, and this gave us the opportunity to stroll around leisurely and stop at times to admire the pond or just watch what other people were doing. We didn’t really do much aside from this, but I found the whole experience calming and refreshing. There were a few buskers performing funny skits and I recall some people practising softly on musical instruments, which gave the afternoon an even more relaxing aura.

    Thank you.

  • Lesson 66: Product quality⭐

    This week, you will train to speak about product quality. These demonstrated answers are in response to real IELTS Speaking questions asked in Part 3 of a 2022 exam.

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

    Part 3 Questions
    (Note: The candidate spoke about a repaired bicycle tyre in Part 2 of this exam. The examiner asks follow-up questions about this topic here.)
    Does it still work?
    Why do people neglect things and don’t repair them?
    Do you think that in the past product quality was higher?
    Do you think that expensive products last longer?
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    knock on wood
    -said to wish yourself or others good luck

    “Does is still work?”
    “Knock on wood, yes it does!”

    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!🗣️📲

    “Knock on wood, yes it does! Whatever adhesive the repairperson used to seal the patch over the hole really did the trick. I’ve been riding my bicycle for months since the repair and haven’t had any trouble at all. The tyre is as good as new, so I’m certainly glad I didn’t go with my first instinct which was to replace the whole tyre!”
    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 restoring a broken item, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Does it still work?

    Knock on wood, yes it does! Whatever adhesive the repairperson used to seal the patch over the hole really did the trick. I’ve been riding my bicycle for months since the repair and haven’t had any trouble at all. The tyre is as good as new, so I’m certainly glad I didn’t go with my first instinct which was to replace the whole tyre!

    Why do people neglect things and don’t repair them?

    I feel people do this for many reasons. In some instances, repairing an item might be costly or involve tracking down specialised parts, such as rare engine parts for a vintage sports car. In other situations, it might actually be cheaper and more desirable to buy a newer version of the broken item. When my brother’s Playstation video game console broke down after several years of use, he didn’t bother repairing it and instead put the money towards upgrading his console to the newer Playstation 2 model!

    Do you think that in the past product quality was higher?

    It definitely was. My grandmother still uses a sewing machine she bought in the 1970s. In fact, I can think of multiple products she has in her home that are several decades old and still work perfectly fine. I think the problem is that modern products are designed to be replaced after only a few years of use. These shorter product lifecycles mean consumers make repeat purchases of the same item, and this translates to more money for the business. I mean, look at mobile phones. People just expect to replace them after two or three years of use! This sort of consumer behaviour was uncommon in the past because people’s expectations of quality and longevity were different.

    Do you think that expensive products last longer?

    I suppose in some cases they do, but it really depends on the product. In my experience, expensive kitchen appliances typically last longer than cheaper alternatives. I bought an inexpensive microwave when I was in university and I barely got two years out of it, but the more expensive microwave I bought after I got married is eight years old and still going strong. Cars, however, are a different story. My wife’s reasonably priced Toyota has had only a fraction of the problems of my more expensive Ford!

    Thank you. That is the end of the speaking exam.

  • Lesson 65: Something broken and then repaired🔧

    This week you will train for Part 2 of the exam. The cue card prompts you to speak about something broken that you then had repaired.

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

    Talk about something in your home that was broken and then repaired. Please say
    -what it was
    -when it broke
    -why it broke
    -and explain how it was repaired
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    cram
    -completely fill a place

    “My basement is small, so I have to cram my bicycle in among my other things.”

    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!🗣️📲

    “Earlier this year, at the start of spring, I pulled my bicycle out of my basement. I store it there during the winter. When I went to ride it, I realised the back tyre was completely flat, and I couldn’t seem to reinflate it with my bicycle pump, so I knew it had been punctured either when I was putting it into storage or taking it out.”
    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

    Talk about something in your home that was broken and then repaired. Please say
    -what it was
    -when it broke
    -why it broke
    -and explain how it was repaired

    Earlier this year, at the start of spring, I pulled my bicycle out of my basement. I store it there during the winter. When I went to ride it, I realised the back tyre was completely flat, and I couldn’t seem to reinflate it with my bicycle pump, so I knew it had been punctured either when I was putting it into storage or taking it out. My basement is small, so I have to cram my bicycle in among my other things. There are all sorts of random bits and bobs down there, so I’m pretty sure one of these other items caused the hole in the tyre.

    To fix it, I took it to a bicycle repair shop. The repairperson removed the flat tyre’s rubber inner tube and submerged it in water to locate the hole. By squeezing this part of the tyre while it is underwater, the punctured area emits bubbles and the repairperson can see precisely where the hole is.

    The repairperson fused a rubber patch over the hole using an adhesive and then submerged the tubing again underwater to ensure the leak had been fixed. They then reassembled the tyre, reattached it to my bicycle and I was on my way. Amazingly, the whole process took maybe 15 minutes and was very reasonably priced.