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!

🗣️ Today’s Japanese Tip Casual Aizuchi for Friendly Conversations 🌱 In Japanese conversation, aizuchi (相づち / あいづち) are short responses used while listening. They show that you are paying attention and help the conversation flow naturally 😊 Here are some casual aizuchi often used with friends or in relaxed conversations: ●うん、うん – yes / I’m listening ●ふーん – I see / interesting ●へえー！ – really? / wow 😮 ●たしかに！ – that’s true ●なるほど – I understand ●ええー！ – oh! / surprised ●そっかそっか – I see, that makes sense ⸻ ⚠️ Important Notes • These aizuchi are casual. 👉 Avoid using them in business situations, interviews, or with supervisors. ☑️うん sounds friendly, but can feel too informal in formal settings. 👉 In polite situations, use はい instead. ☑️Using too many aizuchi may sound unnatural 😅 👉 Listen carefully and respond naturally. You don’t need long sentences. Even small reactions can make Japanese conversations feel warm and natural 🌸

On Sunday, I took the TOEIC exam. I was a little nervous and ended up waking up earlier than usual. On my way to the test center, I listened to some TOEIC listening audio to get my ears warmed up. When I arrived, the place was filled with people who were also there to take the test. Everyone had such serious expressions on their faces. The listening section was faster than I expected, and there were a few moments when I felt panicked, but I managed to stay focused all the way through. The reading section was tough because of the time management. I spent too much time on the grammar questions, so I had to rush toward the end. Even so, I feel like I did my best. I read as carefully as I could and chose the answers that made the most sense to me. It wasn’t perfect, but I’m sure I gave it everything I had. After the test, all the tension drained from my body, and I suddenly felt really hungry. On my way home, I bought something sweet as a little reward for my hard work. I don’t know the result yet, but for now, I’m relieved that it’s finally over. I really hope my score goes up at least a little compared to last time.

❌ STOP translating in your head! Start thinking in English! If you're tired of: Freezing when it's your turn to speak. Confusing grammar rules. Worrying about making mistakes. We have the solution! Our course cuts the confusion and gets you speaking fluently.

قال رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ٫ خیرکم من تعلم القرآن وعلمہ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: The best among you is he who learns the Quran and teaches it to others.

What does "home" mean to you at this stage in your life? Every person has a different definition of "home". I think that home is the place you feel safe, have people you love around you. It doesn't necessarily have to be the place you were born. I also think that I am in a process of searching that place. Even though I have spent 12 years of my life in Japan and feel secure here, I don't really feel that my home is here. But at the same time I don't think that my hometown is my home anymore.

What are your experiences of living away from your childhood home? I have moved to Japan 12 years ago, when I was too young and unexperienced, maybe scared a bit of everything. Living alone without a family or anyone was a challenge but I think it made me a better person. I saw life from a different perspective, learnt a lot and became independent.

Hello. Today I have a shift at Mister Donut, and I’m feeling a little nervous about it. Recently, I haven’t been scheduled as often as before, so I’m worried that I might have forgotten some of the small procedures or the pace of the work. Even though I’ve worked there for a long time, it’s surprising how quickly I lose the sense of routine when my shifts become less frequent. Still, I’m hoping that once I actually start working, my body will remember what to do, and I’ll be able to get through the shift without any major mistakes. Another thing on my mind is the group presentation coming up this Friday. We already finished writing the script, and everyone seems to be on the same page, but I still haven’t completed the handout. Since the presentation is a group project, I don’t want to be the one who slows everyone down, so I need to focus and finish it soon. It’s always a bit stressful to balance part-time work with school assignments, but I guess that’s part of student life. Lately, I’ve also been getting more interested in American hamburger chains. There are so many famous ones in the United States that we don’t have in Japan, and I often watch videos of people trying different burgers across the country. Someday, when I’ve saved enough money, I want to travel around the U.S. and visit as many chain restaurants as I can. It might sound like a funny dream, but for me, exploring food is a really exciting way to learn about a country’s culture.

Choose the right verb اختر الفعل الصحيح