IELTS Study – How can I be more productive with my time?

I recently attended a lecture on how to be a productive language learner.

I realised that the lecture could apply to IELTS learners, so I prepared some notes from the day. I am sure they will prove useful to IELTS Candidates.

Here they are below.

How can I be more productive with my time?

“The bad news is…time flies. The good news is…you are the pilot!” (Michael Altshuler)

“I write a ‘To Do’ list before bed at night”

• Excellent time management will give you – energy, enthusiasm and a positive mental attitude. These 3 things will help you become naturally more productive in your life
• All successful people work from lists.
• Every 1 minute you spend planning saves 10 minutes later on in the day.
• Subconsciously you begin working on your plans and goals for the next day while you are sleeping.
• Writing a ‘to do’ list before bed will help you sleep better as you are not worrying about what you need to do the next day. It will also encourage insights on waking in the morning.
• Remember that your future is created by what you do TODAY, not tomorrow.

“I use my study time well”

• Reading, Writing, Grammar, Speaking, Vocabulary
• Dedicate an evening a week for each one of the above?
• OR 20 minutes a day for each?
• Reviewing notes – This should be a daily priority.
• Reading a news article online – don’t worry about learning lots of new words…just exercise the reading muscle.

 

“I am in control of my time”

• “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” (Lao Tzu)
• Take control over your time – reduces stress and increases self-esteem, thus giving you more energy! Think positively about yourself and your abilities. Negative self-talk leads to procrastination.
• Prioritise your tasks and then make an accurate, realistic timetable and stick to it.
• Aim for completion of each task before starting the next.
• Study in bite-size chunks ie. Blocks of 1 hour maximum and 10 minute breaks in between.
• Turn off all social media and only answer calls that are urgent.
• Reward yourself for completing your timetable with something you enjoy e.g. a nice drink or snack, an interesting talk on Youtube.

 

 “I set myself clear, realistic goals…and I work hard to achieve them”

 

• What do you hope to achieve in life?
• Realistic daily, monthly and yearly goals are important. Write them down and believe in them. You can always change your goals in the future but you can’t if you haven’t made any.
• Don’t compare yourself to others. People are different. Focus on your own path and individual aims.
• “If you have a goal, write it down. If you do not write it down, you do not have a goal, you have a wish” (Steve Maraboli)

“I make the most of the golden hour”

 

• Almost all biographies / autobiographies of successful people have one thing in common: They go to bed at a reasonable hour, and wake up early (5am is normal!)
• You are most productive when you feel rested, alert and creative.
• Set your alarm and get up. Make a firm decision to never use the snooze button.
• Getting up earlier puts you in control of your day.
• Take 5 or ten minutes to sit quietly and look at your plan for the day.
• Make it a habit to read some inspirational literature that will motivate you and set the tone for the rest of the day – creates mental resilience.

“I cultivate excellent organisation skills”

 

• Keep your workspace clean and tidy. A messy room means a messy mind.
• Create a file with subsections.
• Keep a mind-map at the back of your portfolio for weekly vocabulary and update it in class time (don’t wait until you get home).
• Post-it notes on mirror / wardrobe door with words or phrases you are having difficulty remembering.
• Take care when making notes in class. Make an effort to write neatly, use highlighters and file dividers. This will save time when you get home in the evening.
• Are you an early bird or a night owl? When do you function best? Listen to your own biorhythm and organise your plan accordingly.

 

“I listen to myself”

 

• What gives you energy? Exercise / fresh air / coffee / chatting to a friend on the phone / watching an inspirational video / a power nap …
• Practise positive affirmations (operating instructions that you repeat until the conscious becomes subconscious)

For example: “I use my time well” or “I am a highly productive person”.

Write your own, keep them short and say them in a spirit of faith, acceptance and belief.

Eventually your external behaviour will reflect your internal programming. (The subtitles of this worksheet are also examples).

 

“I use my travel time wisely”

 

• Use your travel time to practise your English.
• If you get the bus or a lift in the car, listen to an English language podcast.
• If you walk to school – observe the world around you. Shop signs / newspaper headlines / Street names. What things can you see that you do not know the name of? Make the most of living in an English speaking country.
• If you walk with a friend, make a promise to each other that you will use your travel time to talk to each other in English – it’s the perfect time to practise!

 

Reading List

• • The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R. Covey)
  • Maximum Achievement (Brian Tracey)
  • The Power of Positive Thinking (Norman Vincent Peale)
  • Ted Talks on YouTube

   

And Finally:

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein…”

(H. Jackson Brown Jr.)

You can use tips and information on this website to help make it easier to obtain a higher score, but remember you still need to work at learning the language to be successful.

Please share to someone you know and in the meantime take a look at my Facebook Page and Website for IELTS answers and you can also join my Facebook Group here too.

Good Luck

Jonathan

 

I recently attended a lecture on improving IELTS Learner Time Management.

I realised that the principles apply to IELTS candidates too, so I prepared some notes from the day.

I am sure they will prove useful to IELTS learners.

Here they are below.

Notes from Time-Management Workshop

“The bad news is, time flies…The good news is, you are the pilot!” (Michael Altshuler)

Prepare in advance

• Proper prior preparation prevents poor performance (the 6 magic Ps)
• Subconsciously you begin working on your plans and goals for the next day while you are sleeping.
• Preparation helps you sleep better as you are not worrying about what you need to do. You often gain insights on waking.
• Remember that your future is created by what you do TODAY, not tomorrow.

Schedule your time

• Take control over your time – this reduces stress and increases self-esteem, thus giving you more energy!
• Prioritise your tasks and then make an accurate, realistic timetable and stick to it.
• Study in bite-size chunks ie. Blocks of 1 hour maximum and 10 minute breaks in between.
• Think positively about yourself and your abilities. Negative self-talk leads to procrastination.
• Turn off all social media and only answer calls that are urgent
• Reward yourself for completing your timetable with something you enjoy e.g. a nice drink or snack or an interesting talk on YouTube.

 

How do I organise my studies outside of the classroom?

• For IELTS it’s Reading, Grammar, Vocabulary, Speaking and Writing.
• Reviewing notes and reading a news articles are also useful.

The importance of setting your OWN goals

• What do you hope to achieve?
• Realistic daily, monthly and yearly goals are important. Write them down and believe in them. You can always change your goals in the future but you can’t change your goals if you haven’t made any.
• Don’t compare yourself to others. People are different. Focus on your own path and individual aims.
• “If you have a goal write it down. If you do not write it down, you do not have a goal, you have a wish”.

(Steve Maraboli)

Start your day early

• Almost all biographies / autobiographies of successful people have one thing in common: They go to bed at a reasonable hour, and wake up early!
• This immediately puts you in control of your day
• Take 5 or ten minutes to sit quietly and reflect on your goal for the day ahead.

Cultivate good organisational skills

• Keep your work space clean and tidy. A messy room means a messy mind.
• Create a file with subsections.
• Keep a mind-map at the back of your portfolio for weekly vocabulary and update it in class time (don’t wait until you get home).
• Post-it notes on mirror / wardrobe door are useful.
• Take care when making notes in class. Make an effort to write neatly, use highlighters and file dividers.This will save time when you get home in the evening.

Increase your productivity

• Are you an early bird or a night owl? When do you function best? Listen to your own biorhythm and organise your plan accordingly.
• What gives you energy? Exercise / fresh air / coffee / chatting to a friend on the phone / watching an inspirational video / a power nap …
• You are most productive when you feel rested, alert and creative. This is golden time for studying!

Use your travel time wisely

• If you have to travel, use your travel time to practise your English.
• If you get the bus or a lift in the car, listen to an English language podcast.
• If you walk to school or work – observe the world around you. Shop signs / newspaper headlines / Street names. What things can you see that you do not know the name of? Make the most of the environment if you’re living in an English speaking country.
• If you walk with a friend, make a promise to each other that you will use your travel time to talk to each other in English – it’s the perfect time to practise.

Be inspired!

Further Reading List:

• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R. Covey)
• Time Management (Brianna Anderson)
• Ted Talks on YouTube

And finally…

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein...”

(H. Jackson Brown Jr.)

You can use tips and information on this website to help make it easier to obtain a higher score, but remember you still need to work at learning the language to be successful.

Please share to someone you know and in the meantime take a look at my Facebook Page and Website for IELTS answers and you can also join my Facebook Group here too.

Good Luck

Jonathan

 

Introducing Complex Sentences in IELTS writing.

Good IELTS teachers understand and refer students to the IELTS band scores to demonstrate areas where a student’s writing needs improvement.

“A problem often seen in student writing is over complicated writing with errors in grammar and inappropriate word choices.“

This is because students may have listened to their teacher’s advice and assumed that complicated writing will produce a higher band score, or they may not understand what a complex sentence is.

This can lead to a poor score and have an overall negative effect on your writing.

This post will look at:

• what ‘complex’ sentences are
• how to form complex sentences
• what ‘complex’ sentences you need in a paragraph
• how to jump from just a plan to a finished essay
  

A good teacher will explain what an examiner expects to see when marking your essay.

Referring to the examiner’s band descriptors in order to get a Band 6 for grammar a student needs to:

• Use a mix of simple and complex sentences.

For Band 7 they should:

• Use a variety of complex structures.

and for Band 8:

• Use a wide range of complex structures..the majority of sentences are error free.

As you can see complex sentences are a requirement in your writing, but not all sentences need to be complex.

A good Band 8 answer will use a mixture of both simple and complex sentences accurately, so the key to success is to know when to use and use them well.

Understanding what a complex sentence is?

Students often interpret that complex means a long sentence, or a complicated sentence or even one that looks impressive because it uses learnt phrases.

I have seen resources on the internet that encourage this common misconception that suggest using such phrases.

I have also seen the results: students writing very long and grammatically weak sentences that have to be reread to be understandable.

Lets Begin!

Here’s where a student got their ideas from for the following piece of writing.

And here is part of their writing:   

This is a typical introduction sentence from an essay that’s trying to be too ‘complex’.

The student doesn’t lack ideas but has interpreted ‘complex‘ as a number of simple ideas in one paragraph.

The result causes many problems that relate to IELTS band descriptors.

Unfortunately the writing

• doesn’t address the task
• lacks coherence
• lacks cohesion
• and errors cause difficulty for the reader

This means the sentence is clumsy, the grammar is not controlled and this affects the meaning.

When meaning is affected, it becomes difficult to understand.

The truth is ‘Complex’ sentences needn’t be complex; complex sentences are simply two or more connected clauses. 

Joining the clauses (using complex sentences) in a logical way makes an essay more coherent and cohesive and easier to read.

KEY Fact – Clause

• A clause is a group of words built around a verb.

We place them together to form sentences.

Example

I’m studying IELTS.

Let’s look at the first example again.

In the sentence above there are four simple ideas that we can put into simple sentences:

1. Plastic is a popular topic these days.
2. Plastic causes environmental problems.
3. There are tough challenges associated with plastic.
4. Plastic has very serious consequences.

The ideas written above are very clear and easier to understand.

KEY fact – Simple sentence

• A simple sentence communicates one idea

One thing (usually) happens in a simple sentence

I’m studying IELTS at night school.

I’ve taken the IELTS test before.

Simple sentences are very clear so they are often used for giving instructions.

In addition, they feel safe, simple, reassuring and straightforward.  That’s one reason you find them used in children’s books.

IELTS from Simple sentences and Simple ideas to…?

I like to think that simple sentences are the ‘nuts‘ and ‘bolts‘ of an essay. Let’s put those sentences into a paragraph.

If you write your IELTS essay like this you’ll get Band 5 or 6 because they are only simple sentences.

In order to improve your band you need to develop your writing further.

For example:

While this example may look complicated and the grammar may have changed, essentially the original ideas remain the same.

It’s also clear and easy to read.

When should I use complex sentences?

As a rule, you can use simple sentences when making the main point. This is usually at the beginning of a paragraph.

Then use complex sentences when developing the main point. This can be an explanation or supporting example for the original main point. 

A genuine IELTS  Question

Here’s the response

The first sentence is the ‘topic sentence’ and makes the main point. It is therefore acceptable for this to be a simple sentence.

The second sentence gives an example of  the main point and uses the word ‘and’ to link two simple sentences together to make one COMPOUND sentence.

Saving money is valued.

Money is saved and invested. Value is placed on future planning and security.

The simple ideas are joined and therefore satisfies the marking criteria.

Key facts – Compound sentences

• Compound sentences communicate more than one idea.  A compound sentence consists of two or more simple sentences which are linked by the words and or but.

1. This compound sentence contains two clauses:

I’m studying IELTS at night school and I’m making great progress.

clause 1 / linking word / clause 2

2. This compound sentence contains three clauses:

I’m studying IELTS at night school and I’m making great progress but it’s very time consuming.

clause 1 / Linking word / clause 2 / Linking word  / clause 3

How do I make a complex sentence?

A complex sentence is one sentence that expresses a number of ideas 

A complex sentence is a number of clauses that express a number of ideas.

Governments and parents encourage their young (to do something).

Money is saved and invested.

Value is placed on future planning and security.

Key facts - Complex sentences

• Complex sentences communicate more than one idea.

A complex sentence consists of several clauses.

At least one of them will be the main clauses, which give more information

about what is happening, e.g:

I’m studying IELTS at night school which is very time consuming but I’m making great progress.

Subordinate clause

I’m studying IELTS at night school which is very time consuming but I’m making great progress.

The subordinate clause is the clause which adds another idea to the sentence, but which could not make sense on its own.

Subordinate clauses often begin with the following words:

• I’m taking IELTS so I can study abroad.
• I’m studying IELTS although it’s time consuming.
• I’m going to take IELTS because I need a working visa.

Advance Complex Sentences Using Clauses

Now let’s look at how to produce complex sentences and at some real IELTS examples.

• Subordinate Clauses

Example

People should recycle plastic because it reduces some of the environmental problems.

As you saw above, complex sentences  are made by connecting a subordinate clause with a main clause using words like as, because, so, while, until, even though, although, when or if.

Subordinate clauses can describe nouns and pronouns, describe verbs or adverbs, and adjectives and can be the subject or object of another clause.

IELTS examples

Recycling plastic reduces some environmental problems so companies should be encouraged to recycle as much as possible.

Although most plastic can be recycled, much of it is dropped as litter in streets and rivers.

While the use of plastic has some downsides, it is an extremely useful product in the food industry.

• Relative Clauses

Example

The money, which is saved by poor families, can be invested in improving their farming equipment.

Relative clauses can provide additional information about a person, place, or thing.

This aids fluency and makes the writing more coherent.

You can do this by using relative pronouns like who, which or that.

Saving money can provide security for the future. Saving is encouraged by governments and parents

Saving money, which is encouraged by governments and parents, can provide security for the future.

Money is saved. Money can be used for a child’s education.

The money that is saved can be used to pay for a child’s education.

IELTS Examples

People who save are more likely to provide for their children’s education.

The availability of funds, which have been saved rather than borrowed, can relieve the pressure when faced with a large bill.

The future security that can be provided by savings should be encouraged.

• Conditional Clauses

Example

If the cost of healthier options to junk food remains high, people will not buy it

These types of clause are very useful to speculate about past, present or future situations. something that you often need to do in Task 2 IELTS.

These clauses describe an action in the main clause that can only take place if a certain condition is met.

For example:

‘Increasing taxes usually raises prices and lowers consumption. If higher taxes for plastic use were introduced then supermarkets would pass on these prices to consumers and this would lead to people being less able to afford the fresh food that’s typically wrapped in non-recyclable plastic. If the cost of healthier food becomes expensive for most people, they will less likely buy it and turn to less healthier processed foods that are high in fat, sugar, or salt.’

These describe information that is true or facts. Often if or when introduce the conditional.

Example

Nowadays when we travel long distances, we usually use air travel.

If taxes are increased, it usually raises consumer prices and lowers consumption.

When public transport costs are lowered, passenger numbers often increase and car journeys decrease.

• 1st Conditional

These describe the present or future.

Example

If the country’s population increases dramatically, more hospitals and schools will be needed.

If cases of obesity increase, more food education in school will be required.

• 2nd Conditional

These describe impossibility in the future.

Example

If tobacco products were banned tomorrow, smoking related diseases would decrease dramatically.

Cases of alcohol related diseases would decrease dramatically, if the consumer cost of alcohol was raised.

• 3rd Conditional

These describe past actions when we wish something hadn’t happened or wish the situation was different.

Example

If governments had invested more in electric car technology in the 1890s, society might not be so dependant on oil.

If you need to study conditionals more, the British Council have a link and you can test yourself here.

I hope you see that complex sentences required for a higher band score don’t need to be long and complicated.

• The most important thing is to understand and be able to use these grammar structures well.
• This requires some practice
• Don’t memorise lots of structures from the internet and use them in essays not understanding how they work or if they are accurate or appropriate.

This leads to unnatural and incoherent sentences and easy to notice memorised language which is always penalised by examiners.

Remember that your sentences need to also be error free for BAND 8 and above, so it is better to use structures you are confident in using.

Tip 1

Plan, start simple and build up

Tip 2

When practicing IELTS writing questions consider your ideas in simple sentences, then link them logically into compound and complex sentences.

With enough practice your writing will show improvements and it will become easier.

Further Resources

Using used to describe past contrast/habit action. In the past people used to …

Using the Passive

Further Practice Exercise - What you need to know about Complex Sentences 

If you’re still unsure about your sentences, try this practice exercise. It will help your IELTS reading too.

Exercise 1

Look at the following examples of complex sentences. 

Identify which part is the main clause and which is the subordinate clause.

I didn’t finish the novel, although I liked the storyline.

After I had finished my lunch, I went outside.

However hard I try, I just don’t understand this work.

Our hamster, which had been my pet for two years, escaped from its cage.

We had to sit for ages in the car which was getting hotter and hotter.

The man who lives next door started shouting.

The fish in the pond which had been swimming around all day suddenly stopped moving.

Because he was in a bad mood, she just ignored him.

Key to Practice:

Answer Key

Looking at clauses in texts

It’s useful to be able to spot the different types of sentences on their own to understand how they work in longer texts.

Exercise 2

Look at this extract from my favourite recipe for vegetable curry.  Look at the kinds of points you might make about the sentence and clause structure

Now add the whole spices.  Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until the cardamom pods have coloured a little and then add the ground and fresh spices.  Cook until the fresh spices begin to crack and their fragrance starts to rise, but make sure they do not burn.  After cooking for 3 minutes, return the par boiled vegetables to the pan.

In the IELTS test, it is useful to be able to spot language features like this.

It will aid both your reading and writing.

Key to practice

<Answer Key

Finally, you can review an example worksheet I use with advanced IELTS and English for Academic Purposes students who are already at university. 

It helps show how sentences and cohesion are developed in complex sentences.

Sentences for Cohesion

Sentence structure for IELTS and EAP Ielts-Jonathan

Paragraphs for Cohesion

Paragraph structure for IELTS and EAP Ielts-jonathan

Comparing and Contrasting in IELTS

Part 1.

The purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to analyse the differences and/or the similarities of two distinct subjects.

A good compare/contrast essay doesn’t only point out how the subjects are similar or different, it uses those points to make a meaningful argument about the subjects.

While it can be a little intimidating to approach this type of essay at first, with a little work and practice, you can write a great compare-and-contrast essay for IELTS!

I’ve provided some examples useful for comparing and contrasting, and exercises too.

Here you go!

1. The two groups were not the same as each other. (DIFFERENT)

The two groups were different to each other.

2. The two groups of children were different. (CONTRAST)

The two groups of children showed a contrast.

3. The three liquids had many things in common with one another (SIMILAR)

The three liquids had many similarities to each other.

4. The data revealed that the informants’ responses were different. (DIFFERENCES)

The date revealed the differences among informants.

5. The title of her paper was ‘A comparison of male attitudes towards prison sentencing and female attitudes’. (COMPARED)

The paper compared male attitudes and female attitude towards prison sentencing.

6. In a similar way in which the economy of the north is booming, the south is also enjoying an economic upturn. (SIMILARLY)

Similarly, as the economy of the north is booming, the south is also enjoying an economic upturn.

You can use tips and information on this website to help make it easier to obtain a higher score, but remember you still need to work at learning the language to be successful.

Please share to someone you know and in the meantime take a look at my Facebook Page and Website for IELTS answers and you can also join my Facebook Group here too.

Good Luck

 

Jonathan

The Best Approach to Task 2 Writing

Paragraphing in Task 2 Writing

Strong Arguments for Task 2

Writing the Introduction

Writing a Line of Argument

Cohesion for Task 2 Writing

Writing – Benefits of a Foreign University Education

 

How to gain control of your free time

Before The Test

Your aim before the IELTS test day is to prepare yourself as best as possible to help reduce any stress or nervousness you might experience during the test.

I have put together for you some obvious, but often forgotten Test Day Tips to make the exam process easier.

Be Prepared

Find out as much as possible about IELTS Test procedure so that you know what to expect; this will put you much more in control and relaxed.

If you still have questions after reading this post, contact the Test Centre directly. They will answer any questions you have.

Be Aware

You should have completed a variety of practice tests to give you some idea of where you are on the IELTS Band Scale.

If you are taking lessons, you teacher should help you with this by giving you feedback.

If you are interested in feedback on your writing or speaking you can contact me directly for Writing and Speaking Correction courses.

The reason feedback is important is it gives you an idea of your approximate level before the test so that your expectations are as realistic as possible.

You will also know what where your weaknesses are and what work needs to be done, if you need to re-sit the test.

Be Ready

The day before the test you should get everything you need together, re-read the instructions that the IELTS Test Centre sent you, the ‘Rules and Regulations’ and ‘Advice and Information’ from the application form.

In particular you should make sure you take the same ID that you used for the application.

If you don’t have this ID, you won’t be allowed to sit the test.

Be Fit

Make sure you have a good night’s sleep the night before the test.

There is little logic in cramming the night before. As a language test, the IELTS Test is not an exam you can cram for. You are either ready to take the test or not.

The best thing you can do is to relax as being tired will only affect you performance negatively in the test.

If you must do something ‘constructive’, do a passive activity like watch a film in English, or read an article on a topic you will enjoy in English.

On the Test Day

Don’t spend your time before the test drinking too much coffee or chain-smoking.

Be Ready

Eat a substantial breakfast to give the energy to last the morning.

An energy snack like bananas or some chocolate are a good substitute if you’re not A breakfast fan.

Don’t be Late

Make sure you leave for the test with plenty of time.

Arrive in good time relaxed. You don’t want to arrive at the test centre rushing and stressed or worse, late and not permitted to sit the test.

Also, be early for the Speaking Test, usually in the afternoon and speak to any other candidates to calm your nerves.

Be Organised

You are not allowed to take your personal belongings into the exam room; you have to leave them with the invigilators.

Don’t take items of high value, or large amounts of money.

Don’t Waste Time

Always visit the bathroom before going in to the exam room. Invigilators should show you where the bathroom is.

Ideally, you don’t want to waste valuable time during the test, being accompanied to the toilet by an IELTS member of staff.

After The Test

Don’t worry

As you do not get feedback from the exam, just the Band Score there is little point in worrying about your performance in the test.

Be Reflective

However, if you are conscious of any mistake you made or difficulties you had, it is always a good idea to note these down.

Being reflective will help you analyse your results when you receive them.

If you have to re-sit the test again these notes will also help you plan an effective strategy for preparation.

and Finally

You can use tips and information on this website to help make it easier to obtain a higher score, but remember you still need to work at learning the language to be successful.

Please share to someone you know and in the meantime take a look at my Facebook Page and Website for IELTS answers and you can also join my Facebook Group here too.

Good Luck

 

Jonathan