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April 11, 2017

IELTS Listening: try these techniques

Here are 4 techniques that you could experiment with when practising IELTS listening tests from the Cambridge books:

  1. Work on specific sections rather than doing full tests. For example, you could focus on section 1 this week, then do lots of examples of section 2 next week.
  2. Do a full test, but allow yourself to listen two or three times. See how many extra answers you get the second or third time you listen to the recording.
  3. Do a full test, but give yourself as much time as you want during the breaks (by stopping the recording). This takes away the problem of not having time to read the questions properly, and allows you to focus more on your listening skills.
  4. Change the listening test into a reading test. Instead of listening to the recording, use the transcript at the back of the book. Did you get a higher score than usual? If you did, your listening skills need more work. If you didn't, maybe your problem is related to vocabulary.

The suggestions above might help you to find where your weaknesses are. They might also make exam practice a bit more interesting!

Comments

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OMG you are so smart, Teacher Simon! How could you think up such brilliant ideas ^.^ You are really an experienced teacher. I really love these ideas! ^.^

Posted by: Nam Anh | April 11, 2017 at 10:01

Many thanks, Simon, great tips!

I am confused about Cambridge books tests, I always get 8 or 8.5 in listening practice tests but when I tried test given on 'Road to IELTS', I got only 6.5. This website is suggested by the British Council but I have found those tests far more difficult.
I would appreciate your comments in this regard.

Thank you,

Posted by: sheen | April 11, 2017 at 13:55

Hello everybody!

I've passed IELTS on February 25 and my score on speaking was 7.0. It would be great if someone could help me improve my speaking IELTS. You can email me: [email protected]

Regards, Firdavs.

Posted by: Firdavs | April 12, 2017 at 17:17

Hi Firdavs,

I have IELTS test in a couple of weeks. we can practice speaking over skype. can I have your skype ID so that I can add you and we will start our conversation!

Thank you
L

Posted by: L | April 13, 2017 at 12:45

Dear Simon

Thank you as always

Posted by: sujit | April 16, 2017 at 09:12

Hello everyone!
Guys , what would u advise me to do to improve "multiple choice" questions in listening? i rly need help with that one, thank u.

Posted by: Laziz | April 16, 2017 at 09:52

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