
What is the CEFR and why should you care?
06/1/2025 | 1 h 1 min
Hey! To end 2024, Shelly is going to take you on a tour of the CEFR. She will explain what the Common European Framework of Reference is and how it underpins every high-quality language test, including IELTS. More importantly, she will explain what happens when "teachers" forget that IELTS is based on the CEFR (Spoiler: It is not good).There is a YouTube video to accompany this post, which will be posted later this week. So, if you would like to see the slides and examples of the CEFR tables, you can find it on the My IELTS Classroom channel from January 6th.Support the show

Cambridge IELTS General Training 18 essays analysed!
23/12/2024 | 59 min
Hey! Nick and I are back with our final (and second!) episode of 2024 - our breakdown of the essay questions in the Cambridge IELTS General Training 18 book.As usual, we analyse the four questions in turn, offering our ideas and discussing what could make each question easy or difficult for test-takers. And, boy-oh-boy, do the questions in this book range in difficulty! We think they go all the way from a 0 to a 10, which just shows how much the difficulty of a test can vary based on the topic of the question.As always, to get the most of this episode, it is best if you spend some time generating of ideas for each of the four questions before you listen.Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - see you in 2025!NIck and ShellySupport the show

Join us for an IELTS Christmas special!
20/12/2024 | 18 min
Hello? Is anybody still out there? It has been 410 days since we last released a podcast, but Nick and I are back to spread some Christmas IELTS joy! Is this the start of a new run of My IELTS Classroom episodes, or just some festive fun? Well, you will have to listen to find out!Support the show

We’re back! And talking about UK university life!
06/11/2023 | 38 min
Yes, after 76 days of silence, Nick and I are back to start a new season of My IELTS classroom!Today, we consider how much IELTS actually prepares you for university life in the UK. We will consider what skills you need to succeed in a degree course and how many are covered in the exam. More importantly, we’ll think about what “gaps” a student might have in their academic skills even if they gave achieved a high-level score.Useful LinksDownload my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-examiner-ebook-mark/Watch the free video lessons on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLz9Dbe4NEIu5OCy0WA1sgRate and review My IELTS ClassroomIf you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way. Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writingIELTS Essay Corrections: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/markingIELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speakingFree blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.comFree Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.comSupport the show

Let's do a Cambridge IELTS 18 Reading Test!
22/8/2023 | 52 min
Hey! Today Nick and I tackle a reading from the new Cambridge IELTS 18 book. We choose to passage 3 from Test 2, which is titled "An Ideal City". Why? Well, it's because it contains a rather unusual summary completion question. Usually summaries are given in a single paragraph, or divided into two shorter paragraphs. This summary, however, is divided into THREE parts and is much longer than the usual summaries that appear. What difference does this make to the way that you should approach this question? Listen to find out!Plus, we discuss exam management techniques such as how to preview passages, and allays the questions.Useful LinksDownload my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-examiner-ebook-mark/Watch the free video lessons on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLz9Dbe4NEIu5OCy0WA1sgRate and review My IELTS ClassroomIf you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way. Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writingIELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/markingIELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speakingFree blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.comFree Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.comSupport the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroomSupport the show



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