Do you find IELTS Writing Task 2 difficult? You’re not alone. Many IELTS students – especially those from exam-focused education systems like China and Turkey – struggle with critical thinking, idea generation, and writing balanced arguments.

In this episode of Kev’s English Podcast, I share:

Why students often misread IELTS Writing Task 2 prompts

The problem with one-sided essays and memorised templates

How cultural and educational backgrounds affect IELTS performance

The importance of critical thinking for achieving Band 7 or higher

Practical strategies to develop stronger ideas and examples in your essays

I also talk about my ongoing research project with IELTS students in China and Turkey, and how it can help learners like you write more natural, effective essays.

🎧 Listen now and take a big step toward your IELTS Writing goals!

👉 For transcripts, tips, and IELTS coaching, visit theenglishnative.com
And see me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEnglishNative

Kev's English Podcast

KEP 37: Why Many IELTS Students Struggle with Task 2 (Critical Thinking & Common Mistakes)

Thai for Everyone with Kru Robert

Learn Thai _ 4 ways to say ‘Eat’ in Thai _ รับประทาน[Ráp bprà-taan] or กิน[Gin] 

Live, raw, and uncut footage of English learners. Can you spot the mistakes

AngliaEnglish

What is a good person?

In this episode, we’ll explore the many meanings of “program” in Chinese! From “项目” to “节目”, “程序”, and “课程”, each word carries its own unique context and usage. How do you choose the right one? Join me as I break it all down with examples. Plus, learn some new vocabulary to level up your Chinese skills：

项目 (xiàng mù)
中文解释：为完成某种目标而组织的工作或活动，一般指比较大的工程或计划。
英文解释：A project or initiative organized to achieve a specific goal, often referring to large-scale undertakings or plans.

节目 (jié mù)
中文解释：在广播、电视或现场表演中展示的内容或环节。
英文解释：Content or segments presented in a broadcast, television show, or live performance.

课程 (kè chéng)
中文解释：教育机构中规划的教学内容，通常指一个学科或特定的学习单元。
英文解释：Planned instructional content in an educational institution, typically referring to a subject or a specific unit of study.

程序 (chéng xù)
中文解释：1. 按照一定顺序进行的步骤或方法；2. 计算机中指一系列可以执行的代码。
英文解释：1. A sequence of steps or methods followed in a certain order; 2. In computing, a series of executable codes.

Learn Chinese and Have Fun!

Which one is program? 项目、节目、课程 or 程序？

A short clip introducing 5 useful words to use in your IELTS exam.

IELTS Vocab

IELTS Vocabulary - Education

The three princesses tell their father the king, every day, how much they love him. One day, the youngest daughter tells the king she loves him like salt. He gets upset and sends her away. The princess goes to her aunt and her aunt devises a plan to teach the king a lesson.

Learn English with Stories

I love you like salt

¿Cuál ha sido tu mejor profesor de español? ¿Por qué era o es tu mejor profesor? Escucha este audio-artículo y quizás te ayude a encontrar los mejores profesores para tu perfil de estudiante...

AUDIO-ARTÍCULOS (Nivel B2-C1)

¡Mis mejores profesores!

You may sometimes notice people at airports wearing a green lanyard with sunflowers on it. This is usually worn by people who have a hidden disability — disabilities that can't always be seen from the outside, such as learning difficulties or autism.

But soon, you might start noticing the Sunflower lanyard somewhere new: Lego pieces.

The toy company announced on December 3 — International Day of Persons with Disabilities — that it has partnered with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, the UK company that first created the lanyards in 2016.

Lego is releasing three sets featuring the lanyard: one for its Duplo toys, which are for kids under the age of 8; an airport set for older children; and a set with over 3,000 pieces for adults. The sets will go on sale between January and June 2025.

People will also be able to add the Sunflower lanyard when customizing their own Lego pieces at official Lego stores in parts of Europe and North America.

The Lego Group said it's proud to have created what it calls "the world's first toys to feature the official Sunflower lanyard," and hopes the sets will promote inclusion for people of different ages and with different disabilities.

On Lego's website, Martin Moxness, an adult Sunflower lanyard user, said seeing the lanyard on Lego pieces will help normalize hidden disabilities.

"As a child, this would have been life-changing and would have made me feel seen and accepted," he added.

According to the World Health Organization, one in six people around the world lives with some form of disability, many of them hidden. Disability inclusion is an important part of achieving health for all, it said.

Over 280 airports around the world now recognize the Sunflower lanyard, Hidden Disabilities said.

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Lego Announces New Toys with 'Hidden Disability' Lanyards

IELTS Preparation. Band 8-9 Answers. Part 2 - Describe an interesting old person you met.

You should say:

Who this person is
When/where you met this person
What you did
And explain why you think this person is interesting

Here are soem extra words you can use in your answers!

off the top of your head: from the knowledge you have in your memory

within spitting distance of something: next to or extremely near something

give or take: possibly a little more or less than the amount or time mentioned

hooked (on something): enjoying something very much, so that you want to do it, see it, etc. as much as possible

go into detail (about​/​on): to mention many facts or aspects of a situation

know sth like the back of your hand: to have very good and detailed knowledge of something

blow away: to impress someone very much or make them very excited

let off​/​blow off steam: to express your feelings of anger or excitement without harming anyone

Imagine speaking this way - using some of these relevant vocabulary. What might be different in your answers? :)

Join me one-on-one meetings to start expressing your ideas differently and feel more confidence while doing it.

Please read my students reviews on my page and join me now.

See you in 5.

To Your Success,
Anatoly