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.
This week’s lesson uses the following Part 2 cue card:
Talk about a person you want to work or study with. You should say: -who the person is -how you know him/her -what he/she does -and explain why you want to work or study with this person
Step 1: Listen to the full sample.
Step 2: Work through this week’s sample exercise.
Step 3: Now attempt the full exercise below.
Step 4: Read through the below transcript and note any and all language you found challenging this week.
Step 5: Complete your speech samples and send them to your Whatsapp instructor.
Talk about a person you want to work or study with. You should say: -who the person is -how you know him/her -what he/she does -and explain why you want to work or study with this person
The person I would like to work or study with is my former professor, Dr. Maria Hernandez. I got to know her during my undergraduate years at university, where she was my lecturer for several courses related to my major in psychology.
Dr. Hernandez is an accomplished academic with over 20 years of experience in teaching and research. She has published numerous papers in top-tier academic journals and has received multiple awards and accolades for her contributions to the field. Her research interests in social psychology, particularly on group dynamics and intergroup relations, align with my own research interests and aspirations.
I would love to work or study with Dr. Hernandez for several reasons. First, she is an excellent mentor who is supportive and encouraging. She has always been approachable and responsive to my questions and concerns, and has provided invaluable guidance and feedback on my academic work. Second, her research expertise and experience would be a valuable asset for any project or collaboration. Working with her would not only enhance my own skills and knowledge, but also provide opportunities for networking and collaboration with other scholars in the field. Finally, Dr. Hernandez’s passion for teaching and learning is infectious, and I am confident that working or studying with her would be a stimulating and rewarding experience.
In conclusion, Dr. Maria Hernandez’s expertise, mentorship, and passion for teaching and research would be invaluable in achieving my academic and professional goals, and I would relish the opportunity to collaborate with her on future projects.
Do you work or study? I work in software for a tech company. I graduated from university a few years ago, and since then I’ve been working in the industry.
What kind of job do you have? I’m a software engineer. This means I’m responsible for designing and developing software applications. My job involves coding, testing, and debugging software to ensure that it meets the requirements of the project. This role also requires I be familiar with project management frameworks to ensure the complex nature of our work is kept organised.
Do you feel pressure when you work? Yes, I do feel pressure at times. Deadlines can be tight, and there’s often a lot of work to do. However, I try to manage my workload and prioritise tasks to ensure that I meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.
Let’s talk about names. Does your name have a meaning? Yes, my name is Tom, which is a short form of Thomas. As I understand it, Thomas is a Greek name that means ‘twin’, although I don’t have a twin sibling. It’s a popular name in the UK and has been in use for centuries.
Do you have any family members with the same name as yours? Yes, my grandfather’s name is also Tom. He’s been an important figure in my life, and we share a close bond. It’s an honour to have the same name as him, and it’s something that I’m proud of. I might even consider naming my son ‘Tom’ as well if I’m fortunate enough to have children one day!
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:Â Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
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.”
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.
This week examines several common Part 1 topics, including your workplace and your routine. The discussion evolves to also include the topic of ‘dreams’.
Step 1: Listen to this week’s lesson.
Part 1 Questions Do you work or study? How would you describe the layout of your workplace? What do you do every day after you get up? Do you normally go to bed early? Is your daily routine going to change in the future? Do you usually remember your dreams after you get up?
🧑‍🎓Target language:
double (verb) Something that is used in or play another thing. “The CEO works alone from the room that doubles as our company’s main meeting room.”
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!🗣️📲 “My workplace is made up of several large office rooms with three or four workers in each room. Everyone has a desk and each office usually has a small table with an electric kettle for coffee and tea.”
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.đź“ť
Transcript
Do you work or study?
I work in software development at a large organisation in this city.
How would you describe the layout of your workplace?
My workplace is made up of several large office rooms with three or four workers in each room. Everyone has a desk and each office usually has a small table with an electric kettle for coffee and tea. We’re a small organisation, so the CEO works alone from the room that doubles as our company’s main meeting room. It has a large table and a whiteboard.
What do you do every day after you get up?
The first thing I do is make a thermos of coffee while checking news headlines on my phone. Then I shower and get ready for work. I don’t usually eat breakfast at home because there is a small and inexpensive cafe next to our building.
Do you normally go to bed early?
Yes, I’m almost always in bed by shortly after 9. I have a bad habit of watching media on my phone before bed, which I’ve read can disturb sleep patterns, but I’m nevertheless completely dead to the world by about 10 o’clock.
Is your daily routine going to change in the future?
No, barring some unforeseen change to my employment, I don’t think it will.
Do you usually remember your dreams after you get up?
No I don’t, and I don’t particularly want to remember them. I find switching from one reality to another disorienting. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I had a dream I could recall!
This is one of the most common topics in IELTS Speaking Part 1: your workplace! Use this week’s lesson to train for this critical exam topic.
Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Where are you from? Do you work or study? How do you feel at work? What do you usually do at your workplace? Would you change anything about your workplace? Do you prefer to call a colleague on the phone or send them an email?
🧑‍🎓Target language:
when it rains it pours -something that happens in small amounts and then unexpectedly in large amounts
“I would change the pace of the work. For some reason, when it rains it pours.”
Step 2:Â 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 am from a lovely seaside town about two hours from here.”
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 lovely seaside town about two hours from here.
Do you work or study?
I work as a lawyer in a large law firm.
How do you feel at work?
Usually, I feel very stressed. It’s a demanding job and when you know that someone’s freedom is at stake it can be very overwhelming.
What do you usually do at your workplace?
I spend a considerable amount of time on the computer, writing briefs, researching laws, precedents – anything that is relevant to the case I am representing. I also have meetings with clients and other lawyers.
Would you change anything about your workplace?
I would change the pace of the work. For some reason, when it rains it pours. By that I mean that some periods are very slow and during other periods the workload seems insurmountable.
Do you prefer to call a colleague on the phone or send them an email?
For work-related issues, I do both. I call the colleague to discuss and then I follow up with an email so that there is written documentation of our conversation. It is a bit tedious but absolutely necessary in my line of work.
This week, you will train to speak about ‘work-live balance.’ The model is from Part 3 of a recent IELTS Speaking exam, so you’ll notice the questions are more open-ended and the candidate uses longer responses to better demonstrate their language.
Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below).
Part 3 Questions Why don’t people have enough time nowadays? Is it necessary for people to relax during the working day? How can people achieve better work-life balance? Does current technology cause people to waste time or save time?
🧑‍🎓Target language:
I think there are several reasons for this. -phrase used to cue a longer response
“I think there are several reasons for this. Firstly, … For example, … Further, …“
Step 2:Â Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.
Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor. (If you have not yet been added to a group, click here to sign up – select ‘Join a Whatsapp group’.)
Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲
“I think there are several reasons for this. Firstly, I believe instant messaging technology has made it difficult for people to disconnect from their professional lives. For example, it’s hard to ignore a request from a coworker if they can see through an app that you are online.”
Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝
Transcript
We’ve been talking about time, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Why don’t people have enough time nowadays?
I think there are several reasons for this. Firstly, I believe instant messaging technology has made it difficult for people to disconnect from their professional lives. For example, it’s hard to ignore a request from a coworker if they can see through an app that you are online. Further, in my country, life in general has become more expensive and this has demanded people commit more time to their professions. Often, both partners in a household need to work, which means household chores must be done in their free time.
Is it necessary for people to relax during the working day?
I think people should have the option, yes. Among jobs where a worker’s alertness is a safety concern, such as an airline pilot or a surgeon, periods for recuperation are enforced by law. Long stretches of non-stop work, especially strenuous work, can have serious health effects as well. Further, I think people are more productive when they are given short breaks throughout their workday, so it’s not only good for the wellbeing of the worker, but also the wellbeing of their organisation.
How can people achieve better work-life balance?
First and foremost, it’s important to allot time in your schedule where you completely disconnect from technology. People should regularly put their devices on silent and avoid interruption, or leave these devices at home when they do short errands or exercise outdoors. I would even go so far as to declare to work colleagues the timings at which you can’t be reached, whether that’s lunchtime, evenings or weekends. People should also prioritise work-life balance by writing clear goals for the important relationships in their lives. For example, parents should actively strive to be mentally present when speaking to their children.
Does current technology cause people to waste time or save time?
It does both. It makes it possible to communicate instantly with people, which could be helpful if you want to tell your friend you need to urgently change some plans. However, it’s also a source of a tremendous amount of distraction. I mean, it’s so common nowadays to be talking in person with someone only to receive a mundane mobile notification. I guess I would have to say that technology wastes as much time as it saves!
Thank you. Now, in this first part, I’d 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 other’s news. My parents have a quiet, country lifestyle. It’s very different from the busy city lifestyle of Toronto. My brother enjoys watching sports and camping and hiking in the mountains; he’s very outdoorsy. My sister is a bit of a socialite, so she likes going out with friends and arranging little get-togethers. I’m 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, I’m 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.
That’s 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. I’m 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 shouldn’t complain. It’s a job and it does help fund my studies.
Let’s 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 don’t 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 don’t 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, let’s 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 I’d 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. I’ll 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 haven’t 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 couldn’t sing then and I can’t 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 I’m very thankful I had a teacher like him.
Thank you. You mentioned you hadn’t see Mr. McGrady in a few years. Do you think you will see him again?
I hope so. I know he’s 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, that’s an interesting question. I would say that the core values of today’s 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 today’s 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 don’t 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 mean…
…singers, actors…
Well, I think they can be role models. But the fact that they aren’t completely accessible to young people makes them significantly different. Young people can’t call up a pop icon and ask them for advice, for example. But, so long as the star is a good person, I don’t 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 anyone’s role model?
Am I anyone’s role model… Yes. My cousin has a son, named Ethan. He’s 5, and I see him every other week because they live here in Toronto. I think Ethan looks up to me. I guess that’s 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.
