Being able to talk on a wide variety of topics is really helpful for getting a higher mark on the IELTS test. In this podcast I will help you to form opinions and ideas for Speaking Part 3 and Writing Part 2. You can also book a private lesson with me on my profile. Hope to see you in a lesson soon!

Hello, community! Is it accurate to say "I really like spending time with my family because they are fun and will support me IN MY DIFFICULT TIMES"? What are other variants to say "in difficult times" correctly in English? I would appreciate your help!

Hosting alone this week, Brent explains the origins and typical usage of the phrase OFF THE HOOK. (thanks to CDD20 at Pixabay for allowing me to use this beautiful image)

I know that I am lucky and I feel grateful every day. However, I can't help sometimes hating myself for being so lazy or sometimes in helpless or negative thoughts of stop trying or feel frustrated in some situations. I feel like I am an old aged kid who finds it hard to do things that normal people easily do (sometimes). Having said that, I feel cheer up easily when I believe I can change or I can do it.

English students, try this. Topic: the verb to be

To Have or Not to Have an Accent? Many English learners want to perfect their English and reduce their natural accent as much as possible — to sound “neutral” or adopt a more “native” accent, whether British or American. Having an accent is often seen as a hindrance to sounding fluent or “better” in English. Some even take accent reduction lessons to sound more native-like. But from the perspective of native English speakers — aren’t accents fun, charming, interesting? Aren’t they the spice that makes languages more colorful and alive? Think of someone like Sofía Vergara — we love her exactly because her accent adds flavor, warmth, and personality to English. It represents diversity, different perspectives, and new sounds that make our language richer, not poorer. Yet, as a language learner myself, I sometimes find my own accent in another language to be a hindrance too — something I want to “fix” rather than celebrate. So what do you think? To have or not to have an accent? Is it something to reduce, embrace, or simply be proud of?

Are these all OK and natural? A feeling, emotion etc. Only those who have experienced it know. Those who haven’t experienced it don't know. Those who haven’t experienced it can't understand. You don't know how it feels if you haven't experienced it.

English Grammar

Until now, I haven't been that interested in playing basketball or watching it. However, I like watching basketball because of the friend who I became friends with after entering college. And last Sunday, I went to watch a professional basketball game called B league. It's fun to cheer loud, and I'm gradually able to understand the rules, so I can enjoy it more. I want to watch more and more games‼︎ Above all, the players of the team I'm cheering for are all cool. There is player graduated from the university that I'm going is on that team, so I want to support them more!🏀

I have a CELT-P (Certificate in English Language Teaching – Primary) qualification, and I am a native Chinese speaker. I teach many one-on-one lessons. I am from the People's Republic of China. I can help you become fluent through reading, improve your understanding of the language, and gain confidence in speaking correctly. We can focus specifically on reading and on improving your speaking ability systematically and strategically. Reading is a particularly effective method. I can show you how I apply this approach in my own training. We can also discuss grammar topics such as prepositions and conditionals (clauses and consequences). I can explain these concepts in a simple and modern way, without using old-fashioned terms or rules.