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

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  • Lesson 69: New places and travel trends🚆

    This week, you will train to speak about new places and the subject of ‘travel’. Use the shadow technique in the below exercises to practise speaking about these topics.

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

    Part 3 Questions

    What part of the festival did you most enjoy?
    What is another new place you would like to visit?
    Is there anything that would discourage you from visiting a new place?
    Do people travel differently now compared to the past?
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    chum around
    -hang out with; do friendly things with

    “We chum around together regularly, and yet I never grow tired of her company.”

    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 liked the foods and the relaxed atmosphere of the festival, but I think what I enjoyed most of all was being able to experience it with my friend. We chum around together regularly, and yet I never grow tired of her company. At the festival, we shared a few good laughs and talked about the foods that were on offer. We also reminisced about old times.”
    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 visiting a new place, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. What part of the festival did you most enjoy?

    I liked the foods and the relaxed atmosphere of the festival, but I think what I enjoyed most of all was being able to experience it with my friend. We chum around together regularly, and yet I never grow tired of her company. At the festival, we shared a few good laughs and talked about the foods that were on offer. We also reminisced about old times.

    What is another new place you would like to visit?

    There are many new places I would like to visit. I suppose I would most like to see old historical sites in the UK, such as Hadrian’s Wall or Stonehenge. We have ancient sites like these in Vietnam too, but the past few years I have been especially interested in learning about British history and culture, and I’d really appreciate the opportunity to see such historic places first hand.

    Is there anything that would discourage you from visiting a new place?

    I suppose if I read online reviews that questioned the safety of an area…or its accessibility I might think twice about going. I’m pretty adventurous, but I would never sacrifice my sense of security for a new experience. Some things are just not worth the risk.

    I’m also not interested in visiting places that are known for being excessively pricey. I don’t feel that expensive travel plans necessarily mean you’re going to have a more rewarding trip. In fact, some of my greatest memories are from times when I travelled on a shoestring and had to eat locally, try to interact in a foreign language, and walk instead of taking a taxi.

    Do people travel differently now compared to the past?

    Yes, there are many differences. International travel infrastructure has spread to even the most remote corners of the planet, and this means more people are travelling and they are travelling further than ever before. Airports have grown to phenomenal sizes too, and with this has come ‘duty free’ commercial culture, where people associate international travel with the opportunity to pick up goods that aren’t taxed. These characteristics are a relatively recent phenomenon and not part of travel experiences of the past.

    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.

  • Lesson 64: A special talent🤹

    Do you have a special talent? This week’s Part 1 speech shadowing exercise pushes you to practise speaking about this topic, as well as the topic of watches.

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

    Part 1 Questions

    Do you live in a house or an apartment?
    What is your favourite room?
    Do you usually use a watch?
    What do you think about people who wear expensive watches?
    Let’s talk about talents. Do you have a talent?
    Were you especially good at something when you were a child?
    Does your talent help you at work?
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    lateral thinking
    -a person’s ability to solve problems using thoughtful solutions

    “My job also demands creativity and lateral thinking.”

    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 would have to say my bedroom. It’s cozy and decorated in relaxing pastel colours. It also has a double-paned window and blackout curtains, so I almost always sleep well.”
    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 live in a house or an apartment?

    I live in a house in the eastern part of Shiraz.

    What is your favourite room?

    I would have to say my bedroom. It’s cozy and decorated in relaxing pastel colours. It also has a double-paned window and blackout curtains, so I almost always sleep well.

    Do you usually use a watch?

    I don’t, actually. I own a nice watch that my father gave me, but it’s more of a family heirloom than something I regularly wear. I think the last time I wore it was to a wedding last year.

    What do you think about people who wear expensive watches?

    I think people should have the freedom to wear whatever jewellery they want. I don’t feel that people who wear expensive watches are necessarily doing it to show off or be pretentious. If they own a nice watch and enjoy wearing it then more power to them.

    Let’s talk about talents. Do you have a talent?

    Hmm I need a moment to think of one. I suppose I could say I’m a talented chess player. A few years ago, I competed in my city for a chance to join our national team. I didn’t qualify, but just playing in this tournament put me among the top 10 chess players in Shiraz.

    Were you especially good at something when you were a child?

    Well, I was also good at chess as a child, but aside from this I had an especially good memory. At the age of 8, I could recite pi to 100 digits. A few years later, I could examine a Rubik’s Cube and then solve it from memory while blindfolded. My strong memory was an abnormal talent but one that came in handy during my schooling days.

    Does your talent help you at work?

    My memory is still good, but it isn’t nearly as strong as it used to be. I am an engineer, and I work with numbers a lot and I suppose my memory does help me do calculations in my head very quickly…but my job also demands creativity and lateral thinking, so unfortunately my talent doesn’t help much with this.

    Thank you.

  • Lesson 63: Work-life balance👪

    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: 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 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.”
    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 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!

  • Lesson 62: Something that helps you save time⌚

    This week you’re talking about a very common topic: time! Specifically, you will train to speak about something that helps you save time. The candidate in this lesson’s demonstration choose to speak about a calendar.

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

    Talk about something that helps you save time. Please say:
    -what it is
    -when you use it
    -why you use it
    -and explain why you believe it helps you save time
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    populate (verb)
    -to fill something with people or items

    “This calendar is painted on a whiteboard, so every few weeks I erase everything I had previously written and populate it with my schedule for the coming month.“

    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!🗣️📲

    “One item that helps me save time is a calendar that I have hanging up in my kitchen. This calendar is painted on a whiteboard, so every few weeks I erase everything I had previously written and populate it with my schedule for the coming month. Because it is large and in a central part of my home, I essentially use it all the time. It is usually one of the first things I look at in the morning, and because I work from home I refer to the calendar several times throughout the day.”
    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 that helps you save time. Please say:
    -what it is
    -when you use it
    -why you use it
    -and explain why you believe it helps you save time

    One item that helps me save time is a calendar that I have hanging up in my kitchen. This calendar is painted on a whiteboard, so every few weeks I erase everything I had previously written and populate it with my schedule for the coming month. Because it is large and in a central part of my home, I essentially use it all the time. It is usually one of the first things I look at in the morning, and because I work from home I refer to the calendar several times throughout the day.

    I feel the calendar keeps me organised and ensures I do not schedule overlapping events. This helps me budget my time and clearly designate moments in my day when I can relax. If I know my schedule is comprehensively laid out, I don’t waste time worrying about it. Plus, it is much easier to use than an app on my phone. Changing anything on the calendar only takes a few seconds, so I suppose this saves me additional time.

    In addition to this, it communicates my professional commitments to my other family members. They can clearly see when I am working and when I am free, so this saves time by minimising worktime interruptions.

  • Lesson 61: Sports⚽

    How well can you speak about sports? In this speech shadowing lesson, you will train to talk about this topic: a sport you like, live sports and sport audiences.

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

    Part 1 Questions

    May I see your ID?
    Where are you from?
    What is the name of your hometown?
    What are some important features of your hometown?
    Can you describe your home?
    What kind of sports do you like?
    Do you watch live sports?
    Do you think sport audiences today have changed compared to the past?
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    localised (adjective)
    -specific to a particular place

    “In the past, sporting audiences were very localised.”

    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!🗣️📲

    “Well, like many cities in China, Suzhou is very old and has several ancient landmarks, such as the Humble Administrator Garden, which I believe is about a thousand years old now. We also have a district that is made up entirely of a network of canals. The area is understandably sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’. We also have a growing business district lined with skyscrapers, so I think a central feature of Suzhou is its blend of historical sites and contemporary architecture.”
    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

    May I see your ID?

    Here you are.

    Where are you from?

    I am from a city in China. It’s about an hour’s drive outside of Shanghai.

    What is the name of your hometown?

    It’s called Suzhou. There is actually more than one Suzhou in China. Mine is the one in Jiangsu province.

    What are some important features of your hometown?

    Well, like many cities in China, Suzhou is very old and has several ancient landmarks, such as the Humble Administrator Garden, which I believe is about a thousand years old now. We also have a district that is made up entirely of a network of canals. The area is understandably sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’. We also have a growing business district lined with skyscrapers, so I think a central feature of Suzhou is its blend of historical sites and contemporary architecture.

    Can you describe your home?

    I live in a simple one-bedroom apartment that has a large window in the living room with a view of the sunset. I really like the colour green, so I think most of the furniture has at least a little green in it. I also have several houseplants which help keep my apartment feeling fresh. Let’s talk about sports.

    What kind of sports do you like?

    I’m actually not a big sports person. Once in a while, I’ll play football with my friends in the park or hit a birdie back and forth with a badminton racket, but that’s about it. I do a lot of walking either on my own or with a friend, so if that counts I would say that’s my favourite sport.

    Do you watch live sports?

    I do but only when a really exciting sporting event is happening. For example, when the World Cup is on, I watch many of the matches live. I occasionally catch a Formula 1 race live too, but I don’t watch it enough to know much about the teams or drivers. I went to several basketball matches in Shanghai when I was a teenager, and I think these are the only live sporting events I’ve seen in person.

    Do you think sport audiences today have changed compared to the past?

    Yes, in many ways they have. In the past, sporting audiences were very localised. What I mean is you watched and discussed a sporting event with your friends or family, whereas now people watch sports streamed live online and discuss what’s happening with international viewers from around the world. I recently saw a sports commentator that was streaming his comments live while interacting with viewers from around the world. This is a clear difference compared to the past. However, I would say the audience’s spirit and passion for the game hasn’t changed, and I don’t think it ever will.

    Thank you.

  • Episode 60: Outdoor activities in the past, present and future⛷️

    Recently, a candidate reported being asked about ‘an outdoor activity’ in Part 3 of their exam. (Edit: This topic was actually seen again about six months after this exam. If you’re looking for additional training resources, please click here to visit my second lesson on this topic.)

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

    Part 3 Questions

    Do you like spending time outdoors?
    Are there any benefits to outdoor activities?
    What outdoor activities are popular in your country?
    What kind of outdoor activities were popular in the past?
    What type of outdoor activities will people like to do in the future?
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    avails itself
    -something that is benefitted by another thing

    “Fortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.”

    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!🗣️📲

    “Yes, I do actually. I love biking, walking and just dining al fresco when the weather is nice. Fortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.”

    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 an outdoor activity, and I would like to ask you a few more questions about this topic. Do you like spending time outdoors?

    Yes, I do actually. I love biking, walking and just dining al fresco when the weather is nice. Fortunately, in this country, the weather avails itself to all sorts of outdoor activities from physical exercise to socialising with friends.

    Are there any benefits to outdoor activities?

    Of course! First of all, if you are engaging in exercise outdoors, this is good for overall health. Second of all, being out in the sun is beneficial because our bodies need vitamin D for good health. This must be done with caution of course, but I recently read that people in this country suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, so it is in our best interest to cautiously spend time outdoors. Lastly, as we often socialise outdoors at cafes, restaurants and even park benches, this is an important practice through which we can reduce stress levels. So, being outside is incredibly beneficial in a variety of ways. 

    What outdoor activities are popular in your country?

    Well, I have mentioned several of them but of course there are more like sailing, swimming or playing tennis. Those in the country enjoy hiking or horseback riding. Then, it would be remiss of me to neglect to mention our national sport: football, which is enjoyed by all ages. 

    What kind of outdoor activities were popular in the past?

    I think the only things that have changed are activities that have been brought to this country from abroad, like tennis. However, we have been known for our love of outdoor sports since antiquity. As far as I know, even activities associated today with the indoors, like wrestling, took place outside. Other activities like eating outdoors or sailing have also been a part of this culture for centuries.

    What type of outdoor activities will people like to do in the future?

    I can’t imagine these activities changing a great deal but if I had to picture some kind of science fiction scenario, I would say that perhaps people will fly for fun. One might say that we already do that but what I mean by that is just as today we might take a boat, train or car ride for leisure, perhaps there will be flying contraptions that allow us to take a short flight over the sea front or over a nearby hill, just to get a bird’s eye view of the area. I think a lot of people would enjoy something like this.

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