What You Say in English!

In this episode of What You Say in English, I sit down with Lander Hawes, CEO of Kinjugo, an EdTech startup that has developed a game for learners of English who are preparing for IELTS called 'Preposition Safecracker'. This is the first video episode of the podcast and listeners on Spotify will be able to watch it on their devices and desktop app. Lander explains how the game, which is designed to make repetition and learning more engaging and fun, is specifically geared towards preparing for the IELTS exam, and covers 450 sentences across different IELTS topics. The conversation explores the potential of gamification in education and how Kinjugo is revolutionizing the way English is taught. Listeners are encouraged to visit kinjugo.com or the Google PlayStore direct link to download the game. Additionally, a promotional code, FebKinj1301, is available from 21/01/2023 to 28/02/2023. To redeem, open the app, press the shopping cart button, then 'Buy Now', and choose 'redeem code' from the payment options.

Don't forget to follow me on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@wysepodcast and if you'd like to be showcased on the show, drop me a line at [email protected]

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In this episode, I do the role of an IELTS Speaking Mythbuster. I set to debunk four common misconceptions surrounding the IELTS Speaking exam. I discuss the importance of using language precisely, flexibly, and appropriately, rather than relying on "big words" to get a high band score. I also address the myth that students must have a British or American accent to do well in the exam, emphasizing that accent is not an evaluation criterion and that any accent is acceptable as long as the speaker is intelligible. I also touch on the idea that students must speak the whole truth in the exam, and remind listeners that it's okay to be a little creative in their responses. Finally, I discuss the myth that students must be perfect to get a high band score, and stress that the exam is not a test of perfection and that making mistakes is a natural part of the language learning process. The ideas here come from the fantastic article posted in the Cambridge Assessment blog, so make sure you check it out and expand on the things I mention here.

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As my new wish for 2023, I want to thank all of my listeners for their support. I hope you've enjoyed my episodes and have found them helpful in your language learning journey.

In today's episode, I'm going to be talking about learning English and setting new year's resolutions. Whether you're just starting out on your language-learning journey, or you're looking for ways to boost your progress, this episode is for you.

I'll be discussing the importance of setting specific, achievable, and measurable goals when learning a new language, and sharing some ideas for language-related resolutions you might want to consider. I'll also be offering tips for sticking to those resolutions and sharing some resources that you can use to help you learn English.

So if you want to improve your English skills and make the most of the new year, make sure to tune in. And if you want to keep in touch with me, don't forget to follow me on TikTok at http://tiktok.com/@wysepodcast. Also, remember and send me your recordings or if you want to take part in the show, send me an email at [email protected] 

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For the last episode of the year, I wanted to retake the IELTS speaking test. Here, I'm using a recording which is available on the official IELTS website. It's not a full recording, but it will serve to understand how the speaking criteria should be applied when preparing for the exam. Make sure you have a copy of the speaking scales with you, as I will quote from them at times. Also, download the accompanying prompts and transcript. You will be able to highlight and write down my comments on each aspect. I hope you will find it useful. Don't forget to take note of the tips I'll give you by the end of the episode.

I want to thank Adriana, from Brazil, for sending the lovely message I play at the beginning of the episode. You're invited to speak in my podcast whenever you want.

So, until next year 2023! Happy holidays!

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For the last episode of the year, I wanted to retake the IELTS speaking test. Here, I'm using a recording which is available on the official IELTS website. It's not a full recording, but it will serve to understand how the speaking criteria should be applied when preparing for the exam. Make sure you have a copy of the speaking scales with you, as I will quote from them at times. Also, download the accompanying prompts and transcript. You will be able to highlight and write down my comments on each aspect. I hope you will find it useful. Don't forget to take note of the tips I'll give you by the end of the episode.

I want to thank Adriana, from Brazil, for sending the lovely message I play at the beginning of the episode. You're invited to speak in my podcast whenever you want.

So, until next year 2023! Happy holidays!

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These things rarely happen... That we get big news from Cambridge Assessment English. The organization is undergoing some major rebranding and redesign, not only about their corporate image, but with the way they will handle exams. They'll remove tasks, add other options to take the exams, and 'finally' embrace some new technology to offer new ways of going through the Cambridge experience, among other things. If you're preparing to take the exam any time between what is left of the year or next year, what I have to tell you about in this episode will definitely interest you.

Also, I've just opened a TikTok account where you can also follow me. So, drop by and say hi!

www.tiktok.com/@wysepodcast

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We're approaching the end of the year. And as usual, Anchor published my wrapped for 2022 and it's nothing but good news. This podcast has grown exponentially. If you wish to see it, visit this link. Most of the growth is probably because of the number of new listeners from India. I'm here for you guys! I'll try to cover more about the IELTS exam.

As promised, this is the first episode in which I experiment with other parts of the Cambridge exams. I've created this task which is slightly higher than C1 (in terms of vocabulary) to cater for two levels (C1 and C2). To access the files, check out the following links:

• RUE part 6 Student Task
• RUE part 6 Annotated Task (Answers)

The task is also an excuse to learn great high-level vocabulary for film reviews. Let me know if you want me to cover other parts of the exams. Just send me an email to [email protected]

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The previous episode had a great reception. So much so that I decided to extend on how to improve your fluency and intelligibility by working on your consonant clusters. The five sample sentences are:

• O n my first trip, I traveled the length and breadth of Sri Lanka.
• Scientists say that humans’ sixth sense can be explained.
• Last February, meteorologists measured the temperature in the forests in the Arctic circle.
• He asks exactly what we need to know about the nuclear program.
• She liked two different tasks: washing her clothes and resting in the summer months.

Follow the advice on how to produce these consonant clusters and improve your fluency skills. The two online resources I used to get sample sentences were https://youglish.com/ and https://www.playphrase.me/

If you wish to read more about consonant clusters, this PDF would be very useful.

Thanks for your support! And if you wish to be showcased, send me a line to [email protected]

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It's been some time since I haven't reacted to a celebrity's English. This time is Black Panther's Prince Namor, Tenoch Huerta. Personally, I don't know how long he's been learning English, but he behaved like a champion in this interview. You can listen to how he used natural fluency to overcome his lack of grammatical and phonological control. You too can deliver a successful interview for live TV without having to master English with the mastery of a C2 speaker. Tenoch is an excellent role model to follow.

The transcript with more comments can be downloaded from here. Make sure you use a good PDF reader to see the bubble notes. 

The TED talk I mentioned at the end, the one with Professor John McWhorter can be watched here: https://youtu.be/VQRjouwKDlU 

The podcast he conducts is called Lexicon Valley.

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This is yet another C2 Speaking mock with two great students: Francisco and Maria. They'll soon take their exams and wanted to do one last mock speaking with me before their big day. The questions and the visuals can be downloaded from here:

• Examiner's questions
• Candidate Visuals part 2
• Candidate Visuals part 3

I'm sharing the examiner's questions, as I know there are other teachers who would like to do the same exam with other students. I recycled some questions from other sources, but most of it was created by me.

Also, at the beginning I speak about Swell, a new collaborative social network where people share their voices with mini podcasts. Fantastic idea!

Follow me on Swell @wyse and check out my first swellcast here. Take part in the discussion.

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