Podcasts in which I introduce useful Japanese phrases and translation exercises in Spanish and English. The level of the program is JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test / 日本語能力試験) N4 to JLPT  N3. 

Useful Japanese Phrases and Exercises (JLPT N4, N3 Level)

What do you do when you have 1 minute to prepare for part 2 ? How do you spend your precious 1 minute ?

IELTS Speaking Practice

SPEAKING TEST PART 2 - 1 minute prep 

Explore how to answer this question from the recent IELTS question bank. How can you answer this question by demonstrating effective use of paraphrase and use of idioms?

Paraphrasing - do you like chatting with friends?

Hello everyone, and welcome back to our IELTS Success podcast. Today, we’re diving into a powerful tool for your Speaking test: idioms.
Now, you might be asking, Why idioms? Well, idioms show examiners that you have a natural and flexible command of English. But remember—idioms should sound natural, not forced. Think of them as spices in cooking: a little can make your language richer, too much can overwhelm.
Let’s look at five idioms you can use in real answers.
“Over the moon” – Imagine the examiner asks about a happy experience. You could say: “When I passed my driving test, I was over the moon.”
“A blessing in disguise” – If asked about challenges, try: “Losing my job was tough, but it was a blessing in disguise because it pushed me to study abroad.”
“Hit the nail on the head” – For opinions, you might say: “I think you hit the nail on the head when you said technology connects people.”
“Once in a blue moon” – For frequency questions: “I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon, because I prefer watching movies at home.”
“Burn the midnight oil” – For study habits: “Before exams, I usually burn the midnight oil to revise all the material.”
So, idioms make your answers more engaging and memorable. Practice using them naturally in your daily speech, and you’ll not only impress the examiner—you’ll also sound much more confident.
That’s all for today. Until next time, keep practicing and keep shining!

5 useful idioms

Improving your IELTS Speaking score from a band 5 to a band 7 requires targeted practice in several key areas: fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Here’s a breakdown of steps to take in each.

1. Enhance Fluency and Coherence: Band 5 speakers often struggle to speak fluidly and with clear connections between ideas. To improve, practice speaking on various topics for 1-2 minutes without pauses. Use transition words like "however," "on the other hand," or "in addition" to link ideas smoothly. Regular practice on platforms like language exchange apps can help.

2. Expand Vocabulary: Limited vocabulary often holds back Band 5 speakers. Aim to learn 5-10 new words daily, focusing on synonyms and expressions you can apply to multiple topics, such as work, travel, or family. Create mind maps on topics that frequently come up in IELTS, like "environment" or "technology," and practice speaking on each one.

3. Improve Pronunciation: Pronunciation errors are common at Band 5. Focus on getting each sound right, as well as on stress and intonation, to sound more natural. Listen to native speakers through podcasts or videos, and practice mimicking their tone and rhythm. Recording and replaying your responses is also helpful.

Master Grammar: A Band 7 requires control over complex sentence structures. Practice combining ideas into longer sentences using connectors like “although,” “since,” and “despite.” Working with a tutor or using grammar apps can help you understand and apply complex grammar structures correctly.

Improve your IELTS speaking scroe from 5 to 7

Improving your IELTS Speaking score from a band 5 to a band 7 requires targeted practice in several key areas: fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Here’s a breakdown of steps to take in each.

1, Enhance Fluency and Coherence: 

Band 5 speakers often struggle to speak fluidly and with clear connections between ideas. To improve, practice speaking on various topics for 1-2 minutes without pauses. Use transition words like "however," "on the other hand," or "in addition" to link ideas smoothly. Regular practice on platforms like language exchange apps can help.

2. Expand Vocabulary: 

Limited vocabulary often holds back Band 5 speakers. Aim to learn 5-10 new words daily, focusing on synonyms and expressions you can apply to multiple topics, such as work, travel, or family. Create mind maps on topics that frequently come up in IELTS, like "environment" or "technology," and practice speaking on each one.

3. Improve Pronunciation: 

Pronunciation errors are common at Band 5. Focus on getting each sound right, as well as on stress and intonation, to sound more natural. Listen to native speakers through podcasts or videos, and practice mimicking their tone and rhythm. Recording and replaying your responses is also helpful.

4. Master Grammar: 

A Band 7 requires control over complex sentence structures. Practice combining ideas into longer sentences using connectors like “although,” “since,” and “despite.” Working with a tutor or using grammar apps can help you understand and apply complex grammar structures correctly.

4 tips to help get your IELTS speaking band score from 5 to 7

5 Tips for Studying IELTS Speaking

Preparing for the IELTS Speaking test can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can improve your fluency and confidence. Here are five tips to help you excel:

Practice Speaking Daily
Consistency is key to improving your speaking skills. Set aside time each day to practice speaking English, even if it's just for 10-15 minutes. Talk about a variety of topics, record yourself, and identify areas where you can improve.

Expand Your Vocabulary
A rich vocabulary will allow you to express yourself more clearly and precisely. Learn new words daily, and practice using them in sentences. Focus on synonyms, idiomatic expressions, and topic-specific vocabulary like travel, work, and culture.

Work on Pronunciation and Intonation
Clear pronunciation is essential in the IELTS Speaking test. Focus on common pronunciation mistakes, and practice intonation to sound more natural. Listening to native speakers through podcasts or videos can help you understand how words should be pronounced and how sentences flow.

Develop Your Ideas
In the IELTS Speaking test, you’ll need to speak at length on various topics. Practice expanding your ideas by structuring your answers clearly. Use examples, explanations, and reasons to support your opinions.

Simulate Test Conditions
Familiarize yourself with the test format by simulating exam conditions. Record yourself answering common IELTS questions within the time limit, and get feedback from a tutor or language partner.

With consistent practice and these strategies, you'll be well-prepared to perform confidently on test day.

5 Tips for your IELTS Speaking 

Using Spoken Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking

Discourse markers, such as "well," "so," "you know," and "I mean," are common in everyday speech. These words and phrases help guide conversations, signal a change in thought, or give the speaker time to think. For IELTS Speaking, using discourse markers effectively can enhance your fluency and coherence, making your responses more natural and organized.

Here are some key ways to use spoken discourse markers during the IELTS Speaking exam:

Starting Your Response: Using markers like "well" or "actually" can give you a moment to collect your thoughts before answering a question. For example, if asked about your favorite hobby, you could begin with, "Well, I really enjoy painting because it's relaxing."

Organizing Ideas: Words such as "firstly," "secondly," and "finally" can help structure your response when explaining something in detail. This makes it easier for the examiner to follow your ideas.

Clarifying and Rephrasing: Discourse markers like "I mean" or "in other words" are useful for clarifying points or rephrasing if you feel your initial response wasn’t clear enough. For instance, "In other words, I think traveling teaches us valuable life skills."

Filling Pauses: Using phrases like "you know" or "let me think" can fill pauses naturally, preventing awkward silences during your speaking test.

However, it's essential not to overuse discourse markers, as it can make your speech sound unnatural. Practice using them in moderation to sound fluent and confident in your responses.

IELTS Speaking - using discourse markers

This podcast will ask you questions from part 1 of the speaking test. You will have enough time to asnwer the questions. You will be asked questions about study, your hometown, art, books and bicycles. There is also some practical advice on paraphrasing for the topic on bicycles. Enjoy!