The secret to success is confidence and the secret to confidence is preparation.
In today's episode, I will be talking about five tips on how to improve your confidence.

FLO TALKS 

5  TIPS TO BE MORE CONFIDENT

In order to get the band score you need in the IELTS speaking test it’s important to develop specific skills.

You will be aware that the speaking test is graded in four specific areas. Those areas are fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.

In this podcast we’re going to talk about fluency. 

It’s important to use a range of discourse markers when taking your speaking test, so your speaking is fluent. Discourse markers are sometimes referred to as connecting words, or connecting phrases. For example, when answering the examiner’s questions you might say something like to be honest, or, in my opinion. These are two common discourse markers. Another connecting phrase you might use is, That’s an interesting question.

Let’s look at an example:

Let’s pretend the examiner asks you whether you are good at art. You might answer.

That’s a really good question. In my opinion, I am quite good at art. In fact, I really enjoy painting. To be honest, I think other people like my paintings too.

Now you try. I’m going to ask you a question, and you have to reply using these three discourse markers: To be honest / In my opinion / That’s a good question.

Are you ready for the question? Here it is: Are you ready for your IELTS test?


IELTS Speaking Practice

3 discourse markers to help you with your IELTS test

Υоu undеrѕtаnd thе mееtіng.

Υоu fоllоw еvеrу wоrd.

Υоu еvеn knоw еxасtlу whаt уоu wаnt tо ѕау.

But whеn іt'ѕ уоur turn…

Υоu ѕlоw dоwn.

Υоu trаnѕlаtе.

Υоu сhесk grаmmаr.

Υоu ѕеаrсh fоr wоrdѕ.

Аnd bу thе tіmе уоu ѕреаk — thе mоmеnt іѕ gоnе.

Ѕоmеоnе еlѕе аlrеаdу аnѕwеrеd.

Іf thіѕ ѕоundѕ fаmіlіаr, уоu'rе nоt dеаlіng wіth аn Еnglіѕh рrоblеm.

Υоu'rе dеаlіng wіth Тhе Тrаnѕlаtоr — а рѕусhоlоgісаl рrосеѕѕ thаt fоrсеѕ уоur brаіn tо run twо lаnguаgеѕ аt thе ѕаmе tіmе.

Іn thіѕ еріѕоdе, І ехрlаіn whу ѕmаrt рrоfеѕѕіоnаlѕ ѕоund ѕlоw іn Еnglіѕh mееtіngѕ — аnd whаt асtuаllу сhаngеѕ whеn thаt trаnѕlаtоr dіѕарреаrѕ.

Іf уоu rесоgnіzе уоurѕеlf іn thіѕ еріѕоdе, ѕеnd mе оnе ѕеntеnсе:

“Тrаnѕlаtоr — whеn ______ hарреnѕ.”

Ехаmрlе:

“Тrаnѕlаtоr — whеn mу mаnаgеr аѕkѕ mе dіrесtlу.”

І'll ѕеnd уоu а ѕhоrt vоісе mеѕѕаgе ехрlаіnіng whаt'ѕ hарреnіng іn уоur brаіn аnd whаt rеmоvеѕ іt.

Speechless Leader. Stop sounding smaller than your expertise.

Why Smart Professionals Sound Slow in English?

Escucha este audio-artículo y descubre la provincia de Almería y buenos trucos para viajar por ella disfrutando de los lugares más auténticos.

VIAJAR POR ESPAÑA  "AUDIOS"

Mi España - La Provincia de Almería.

Today we're talking about the word "success" and how to use it correctly. 

DAILY Business English VOCABULARY builder

This is the most successful podcast I've ever made!

Uyghurche Learning FM/ئۇيغۇرچە تىل ئۆگىنىش

Hi, where are you from ?

TRANSCRIPTION (explanation included)
These various expressions for negation span a spectrum of formality and tone. In the lexicon of everyday conversation, one might simply assert "no," "nope," or "nah," and even employ a touch of informality with "not gonna happen." When a matter is more absolute, phrases like "without a doubt, no" and "under no circumstances" make the position clear. In informal settings, a definitive refusal might take the form of "not a chance" or "ain't gonna happen," perhaps even with a touch of camaraderie, as in "nah, mate." For matters requiring decorum, a formal approach may involve phrases like "I'm afraid the answer is no" or "I must decline," while adding regret, as in "regrettably, no," imparts a sense of genuine consideration. Politeness tempers the refusal in phrases such as "I'm sorry, but no" and "thank you for considering me, but I'll have to say no," expressing gratitude for the offer. The witty turn of phrase adds a touch of humor to the refusal, suggesting impossibility with expressions like "I'd sooner sprout wings and fly" or "when pigs fly." In more elevated circles, the upper class might communicate their refusal with statements like "I regret to inform you that the answer is in the negative" or "it would not be fitting, I'm afraid," while maintaining an air of politeness. For royalty, a refusal is conveyed with grace and tact, as in "one must respectfully decline" or "I cannot acquiesce to that request," underscoring the formal nature of the response. Ultimately, the choice of expression hinges on the context and the level of decorum required for the situation at hand.

LEARN BY LISTENING

How To say 'NO' in various English Registers

“I love watching the World Cup, which is without doubt the biggest and most exciting international football tournament in the world today. Every four years, it brings the world together in a celebration of the beautiful game. Every time the World Cup rolls around, it's like a huge party!

I especially enjoy the opening match between the host nation and the defending champions. It's always an emotional, high-stakes encounter that sets the tone for the tournament. As the games go on, the intensity builds, and it's so exciting to watch the best teams in the world battle it out for the cup.

When I watch the World Cup, I'm usually with my family. We get together to watch the big games, and it's a great excuse to spend some quality time together. We all love football, so it's a great way to bond over something we all enjoy. Plus, it's always fun to debate and discuss the games afterwards.

I think my favourite thing about the World Cup is the atmosphere. It's a truly global event, and it's so cool to see people from all over the world coming together in one place to enjoy the sport. It's a great feeling of unity, and it really brings out the best in people.

As well as that,the games are always thrilling, the atmosphere is electric, and spending time with my family, and friends while watching is always a blast. 


Thank you.”

IELTS 85 Speaking

Describe a sports program you like to watch

Note: This podcast is intended for language learning ONLY. Not for promoting or criticizing any political party or ideology. Let’s keep it friendly and accessible to all :)


Also, all of the experiences are the hosts’ own experiences so please do your own research if you need more information.