Category Archives: Friends

Lesson 176: How to talk about your childhood🧒

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Non-stop shadowing lessons!

This week, we’re looking at a new exam. In this exam, the examiner asks you to talk about your childhood.

Step 1: Tune in to this week’s lesson. (Audio and video version below.)

This week’s Part 1 questions:
Where are you from?
Do you work or study?
Do you enjoy studying this?
Let’s talk about childhood. Did you have a happy childhood?
What kind of things did you enjoy doing as a child?
Did you have any childhood dreams about your future career?
Did you help your parents with any kind of work when you were a child?
Are there any skills you learned as a child that are helpful to you today?

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!🗣️📲
Where are you from?
I’m from Romania, a country known for its rich history and beautiful landscapes.
Do you work or study?
At the moment, I’m studying data science. It’s a field that combines statistics, programming and analytical thinking to solve complex problems.
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’m from Romania, a country known for its rich history and beautiful landscapes.

Do you work or study?

At the moment, I’m studying data science. It’s a field that combines statistics, programming and analytical thinking to solve complex problems.

Do you enjoy studying this?

Yes, I really enjoy studying data science. It allows me to work on real-world problems by analysing data patterns. I use these patterns to support decision making, and I find this really rewarding.

Let’s talk about childhood. Did you have a happy childhood?

Yes, I had a very happy childhood. I was fortunate to grow up in a supportive family. I have many fond memories of exploring forests and hills with my friends and family.

What kind of things did you enjoy doing as a child?

As a child, I loved exploring the outdoors. I also enjoyed reading, playing board games and working on little projects or hobbies with my friends.

Did you have any childhood dreams about your future career?

Yes, I did. At one point, I wanted to be an engineer because I enjoyed building things and solving problems. Later on, I became fascinated by computers and technology, which naturally led me to the field of data science.

Did you help your parents with any kind of work when you were a child?

I often helped around the house with chores. Because I was only a child, I did simple jobs like cleaning and helping my parents with tasks in the garden. We also had a pet dog that I was responsible for feeding and walking.

Are there any skills you learned as a child that are helpful to you today?

Definitely. Problem-solving was something that I started practising as a child through activities like puzzles and strategy games, and it’s a skill that is invaluable in data science. Also, the discipline I gained from helping my parents with chores has been crucial in managing my time and staying organised while studying. These basic skills are absolutely critical to me today.

Lesson 170: Being courteous🙂

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Non-stop shadowing lessons!

This week we’re looking at Part 1 questions on the topic of courtesy.

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

Part 1 questions
Where are you from?
Do you work or are you a student?
What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
Do any of your hobbies involve interacting with other people?
Let’s talk about etiquette. How important is it to be courteous in everyday interactions?
Is having good manners helpful to people?
What is considered courteous behaviour in your culture?
🧑‍🎓Target language:

if given the choice (phrase)
-used to express a preference

“We exchange tips on the best routes and sometimes hike together although if given the choice I prefer to hike alone.”

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’m originally from Hella, a small and charming town in southern Iceland. It’s known for its close proximity to beautiful waterfalls and volcanic landscapes.”
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’m originally from Hella, a small and charming town in southern Iceland. It’s known for its close proximity to beautiful waterfalls and volcanic landscapes.

Do you work or are you a student?

I work as a librarian in a local library. I enjoy helping people find the information they need and organising events that promote literacy and learning within the community.

What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?

In my free time, I like to hike. The area around my town offers some fantastic hiking along scenic river trails. Hiking allows me to unwind and stay active.

Do any of your hobbies involve interacting with other people?

Yes, hiking often involves social interaction, especially when I join group hikes or meet other hikers on the trails. We exchange tips on the best routes and sometimes hike together although if given the choice I prefer to hike alone.

Let’s talk about etiquette. How important is it to be courteous in everyday interactions?

In my opinion, it is extremely important. Courtesy fosters respect and harmony, and this can make everyday interactions more pleasant and productive.

Is having good manners helpful to people?

Definitely. Good manners are key to creating a respectful environment and can help to avoid misunderstandings. When we practice good manners, we show that we value others’ time and their perspectives, which in turn encourages others to treat us with the same respect.

What is considered courteous behavior in your culture?

In Icelandic culture, courteous behaviour includes practices such as greeting others warmly, being punctual, and respecting others’ personal space. For example, when entering a room or meeting someone, it’s customary to greet them with a handshake and a smile. Icelanders also value straightforwardness and honesty, so being direct but polite is considered courteous. Additionally, saying “takk”, which is “thank you” in Icelandic, for any kind of help is a common way to show appreciation.

Lesson 149: A person from another country that speaks your language well🎎

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This week’s lesson requires the candidate describe a person that speaks their native language well.

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

Describe a person you know from another country who speaks your language fluently. You should say
-who he/she is
-what country he/she is from
-how he/she learned your language
-and explain how you feel about this person
🧑‍🎓Target language:

set apart
-something special or distinguished

“What truly sets Maria apart is her dedication to learning Japanese.”

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!🗣️📲

“I’m going to talk about a remarkable individual named Maria, who speaks my native language, Japanese, fluently. Maria is from Spain and first encountered Japanese during her university studies in Barcelona, where she developed a profound interest in Japanese culture and language.”
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 a person you know from another country who speaks your language fluently. You should say
-who he/she is
-what country he/she is from
-how he/she learned your language
-and explain how you feel about this person

I’m going to talk about a remarkable individual named Maria, who speaks my native language, Japanese, fluently. Maria is from Spain and first encountered Japanese during her university studies in Barcelona, where she developed a profound interest in Japanese culture and language.

What truly sets Maria apart is her dedication and unconventional approach to learning Japanese. For example, instead of relying solely on textbooks and classroom instruction, she sought out authentic Japanese materials, such as novels, podcasts and films. Additionally, before she moved to Japan, Maria actively engaged with native Japanese speakers through language exchange programmes and online communities. She now lives in Tokyo and seamlessly integrates into Japanese society, displaying a level of cultural fluency that is rarely seen among foreign language learners.

As someone who grew up in Japan, I can say with confidence that Maria is truly fluent in Japanese. Her pronunciation is near-native, and she effortlessly navigates complex grammatical structures with skill. Her proficiency in Japanese fills me with admiration and respect, and I feel truly inspired when I am around her. Her commitment to mastering the language reflects a genuine love for Japanese culture and a willingness to embrace new challenges.

I feel very lucky to know an amazing person like Maria. Just being around her motivates my own language pursuits!

Thank you.

Lesson 121: A memorable game🎲

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This week’s lesson is for Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking exam. It examines the topic of a game that is memorable for you. Here is the cue card that is used:

Describe a tabletop game or other game you have played. You should say:
What the game was
Who you played it with
Where and when you played it
And explain why it was a memorable game for you.

Part 1: Listen to the model and make special note of any new language you come across. Try to listen without looking at the transcript to check how much of the language you understand or can interpret from context. If you still have some trouble understanding after listening several times, consult the below transcript and identify the challenging areas.

Part 2: This to this week’s IELTSCast episode and practise saying a few of the lines from the response.

Part 3: Below is the full exercise for this week. Work through this exercise to refine your speaking. These exercises can be long and challenging, and results may seem to take time, but remember that incremental progress occurs with each repeated phrase. Push yourself to sound as much like the model as you can.

Part 4: Read through the transcript. If there are still areas that you find challenging (pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary use, etc), leave a comment asking for further explanation or support.

Part 5: Post this week’s speaking samples to your Whatsapp group. Your instructor will provide you with personalized feedback.

Chat on WhatsApp

Transcript

Describe a tabletop game or other game you have played. You should say:
What the game was
Who you played it with
Where and when you played it
And explain why it was a memorable game for you.

I’d like to share an experience I had playing a tabletop game called ‘Settlers of Catan.’ It was an incredibly memorable game for me, not only because of the game itself but also because of the people I played it with and the setting in which it took place.

Settlers of Catan is a strategic board game that revolves around resource management and negotiation. It’s designed for three to four players, and each player assumes the role of a settler on the fictional island of Catan. The objective of the game is to build settlements, roads and cities while trading resources like wood, brick, ore, wheat and sheep with other players.

I played this game with three close friends of mine – Sarah, Mark and James. We decided to have a game night at my apartment during summer vacation last year. It was a relaxing atmosphere, with dimmed lights and our favourite snacks and drinks within reach. We started the game just as the sun was setting, so the room was warm with the setting sunlight.

What made this game so memorable for me was the intense competition and the genuine laughter it brought about. As the game progressed, we found ourselves making strategic alliances and clever trades, which sometimes led to unexpected betrayals and shifting alliances.

Moreover, it was memorable because it allowed us to bond on a deeper level. We shared stories, exchanged banter, and had moments of genuine teamwork and rivalry. As the night turned into morning, we finally declared a winner, but it didn’t really matter who won or lost. What mattered was the quality time we spent together.

Lesson 107: Friendship👬

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This week, we’re talking about friendship – a very common topic in IELTS Speaking.

Step 1: Listen to the full sample.

Step 2: Work through the sample exercise.

Step 3: Complete the full speech shadowing exercise.

Step 4: Read through the below transcript.

Step 5: Complete this week’s daily speech shadowing exercises with your Whatsapp instructor.

Chat on WhatsApp

Transcript

Where are you from?

I am originally from New York City.

Do you work or study?

Currently, I am pursuing my undergraduate degree in economics at the prestigious New York University. Although my main focus is on my studies, I also engage in part-time work to gain practical experience and support myself financially.

When do you feel happy at work?

I find happiness at work when I am fully engaged in meaningful tasks that align with my skills and interests. I also like working in a positive and supportive environment with friendly colleagues and I find this enhances my overall job satisfaction. Collaboration, mutual respect, and a sense of camaraderie foster a pleasant work atmosphere and contribute to my happiness in the workplace.

Let’s talk about friends. Do you have many friends?

Although I value quality over quantity when it comes to friendships, I am fortunate to have a close-knit circle of friends who are dependable, understanding and supportive. While the size of my social circle may not be extensive, the depth of the connections I have with my friends is truly meaningful. We share common interests and values, and we actively support each other through life’s ups and downs.

Is making friends easy for you?

I consider myself to be a sociable and outgoing individual, which generally makes it easier for me to make new friends. However, I believe that building deep and lasting friendships requires time, effort, and shared experiences. Thus, while I may find it relatively easy to establish initial connections, forming meaningful friendships requires investment and mutual understanding.

What sort of people do you most easily make friends with?

I find that I most easily make friends with individuals who share similar interests and values. I also appreciate people who are open-minded, empathetic, and possess a sense of humour. These qualities foster a comfortable and welcoming environment, making it easier for me to connect with them on a deeper level.

Lesson 101: A noisy situation😖

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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 95: A person who dresses well👔

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This week’s English shadowing technique pushes you to speak about a person who dresses well. Here is the cue card used in this section:

Describe a person who dresses well. You should say:
-who the person is
-how you know him or her
-how often you see him or her
-and explain why you think this person dresses well

Step 1: Listen to the full model response.

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

Step 3: Complete the full speech shadowing exercise using the below video.

Step 4: Read the below transcript and note the new language you encountered today.

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

Chat on WhatsApp

Transcript

Describe a person who dresses well. You should say:
-who the person is
-how you know him or her
-how often you see him or her
-and explain why you think this person dresses well

I would like to talk about my friend Jack who I believe has a great sense of fashion and dresses exceptionally well. Jack is a friend of mine from university, and we have known each other for over five years. We met during our freshman year, and since then we have been good friends.

I see Jack quite often, as we are still in touch even after graduating from university. We usually hang out together every couple of weeks, and I always look forward to seeing him.

The thing that sets Jack apart from others when it comes to fashion is his ability to mix and match different styles and create a unique look. He always seems to know what’s trendy and fashionable, but he doesn’t blindly follow trends. Instead, he adapts them to his own personal style and makes it work for him. He also pays attention to the little details, such as matching the colour of his shoes with his belt.

Moreover, Jack’s clothes are always well-fitted, which I think is crucial for a person to dress well. His outfits are neither too tight nor too loose, and they always seem to flatter his body type. He also experiments with different colours and patterns and manages to pull them off effortlessly.

I think Jack dresses well because he has a great sense of style, pays attention to details, and knows how to dress for his body type. He inspires me to be more adventurous with my own fashion choices, and I’m always excited to see what he’ll be wearing the next time we meet.

Lesson 92: A person from another culture🌎

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This week, we’re looking at a common IELTS Speaking topic: culture.

Step 1: Listen to the full sample and familiarise yourself with this week’s target language.

Step 2: Tune in to this week’s IELTSCast episode to practise a few sentences from the model.

Step 3: Work through the full exercise below.

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

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

Chat on WhatsApp

Transcript

Talk about a person you know from another culture, such as a friend or a teacher. You should say
-who the person is
-how you met him/her
-where you met
-and explain what you learnt about their cultural background

I would like to talk about my friend Hiro, who is from Japan. I met Hiro in my first year of university, where we both took a course on international relations. We were assigned to work on a group project together, and that’s how we became friends.

We met at a coffee shop near campus, where we discussed the project and got to know each other. As we worked on the project, we learned a lot about each other’s culture. Hiro shared many interesting things about Japan with me, and he opened my eyes to traditions from his homeland.

One of the things I learned from Hiro is the importance of respect in Japanese culture. He explained how respect is a fundamental value in all aspects of life in Japan, from family and relationships to business and politics. Hiro also told me about the tradition of bowing as a sign of respect, which is something I found really interesting.

Another thing I learned from Hiro is the importance of food in Japanese culture. He introduced me to some delicious Japanese dishes and explained the significance of certain ingredients and cooking techniques. I also learned about the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, which I found fascinating.

Overall, I feel very fortunate to have met Hiro and to have learned so much about Japanese culture from him. It has given me a greater appreciation for the diversity of cultures in the world, and I feel more open-minded and eager to learn about other cultures.

Lesson 89: An inexpensive outing🚵

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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 86: A memorable outdoor activity⛰️

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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.