What language are you learning? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Martin
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I'm going to improve my language skills and prepare myself for the IELTS exam within six months. I'm in a hurry and desperately need a language certificate, because it's required for both international education and working abroad to prove language proficiency. I've set up a plan for my daily practice and I'm trying to achieve the best possible result. Furthermore, all international exams are subject to sanctions in Iran and for Iranians, so alternative methods are required. I need to at least reach that proficiency level first, and then look for a way to take the exam.
@JuveJay @Scottish @mjromeo81
Do you think these materials are suitable for the IELTS exam, since you are a native English speaker? Do you have these books in your schools or academic institutions? or have you ever heard of name of the books?
Do you think these materials are suitable for the IELTS exam, since you are a native English speaker? Do you have these books in your schools or academic institutions? or have you ever heard of name of the books?
@JuveJay @Scottish @mjromeo81
Do you think these materials are suitable for the IELTS exam, since you are a native English speaker? Do you have these books in your schools or academic institutions? or have you ever heard of name of the books?
Do you think these materials are suitable for the IELTS exam, since you are a native English speaker? Do you have these books in your schools or academic institutions? or have you ever heard of name of the books?
The two Cambridge IELTS books are the most important ones. Cambridge is part of the group that creates the exam, and the practice tests are real past papers.
Thanks for always contributing your knowledge to these subjects based on your first hand experience.
The accent is still a challenge for English learners. I see most language learners are confused between British and American accents and don't know which one they should learn. Based on my observation, for international exams, neither accent is preferred over the other, and accent doesn’t directly affect your score. What matters is clear pronunciation and intelligibility not whether it’s British or American. As far as I know, the TOEFL exam uses an American accent. But for someone who is also getting a degree, the accent they’ll need to speak in the destination country is also a kind of challenge.
The accent is still a challenge for English learners. I see most language learners are confused between British and American accents and don't know which one they should learn. Based on my observation, for international exams, neither accent is preferred over the other, and accent doesn’t directly affect your score. What matters is clear pronunciation and intelligibility not whether it’s British or American. As far as I know, the TOEFL exam uses an American accent. But for someone who is also getting a degree, the accent they’ll need to speak in the destination country is also a kind of challenge.
As a former English teacher, don't worry about accent. As you say it's about being understood. Me, @Bianconero_Aus and @Bjerknes probably all sound totally different. There's no point trying learn an accent because not everybody speaks the same way.
These books look good. I've only prepared people for the Cambridge exams so I'm less familiar with IELTS. I have a friend who still teaches, I'll ask her what she recommends
These books look good. I've only prepared people for the Cambridge exams so I'm less familiar with IELTS. I have a friend who still teaches, I'll ask her what she recommends
As long as accent doesn’t affect international exams, it wouldn’t be a big issue. It’s all about the destination country and communicating well with others. Personally, I want to speak fluently, with an accent that sounds natural and is understandable when I speak to someone. It often confuses language learners because they don’t want their accent to look awkward or become an obstacle to passing the exam.
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In my portfolio plan, the Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS is included. Honestly, I collect my supplements and materials with the help of Claude. It should be said that I have been practising English for over 10 years, but preparing for international exams is a different story, it really needs a precise plan and the right sources, which I have selected through my own experience and with Claude’s help.
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In my portfolio plan, the Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS is included. Honestly, I collect my supplements and materials with the help of Claude. It should be said that I have been practising English for over 10 years, but preparing for international exams is a different story, it really needs a precise plan and the right sources, which I have selected through my own experience and with Claude’s help.
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British accents are difficult for me to follow, but I find American accents much easier to understand.
But this video, part of the audio version of SpeakOut Upper Intermediate is much easier for me to understand than a native British speaker.
@JuveJay I picture you a British person with ginger hair color and british accent when you talk.
But this video, part of the audio version of SpeakOut Upper Intermediate is much easier for me to understand than a native British speaker.
@JuveJay I picture you a British person with ginger hair color and british accent when you talk.
When I've visited other countries non-native speakers have said the way I talk is harder for them to understand than Americans or Canadians, as the words are pronounced "shorter". I think Americans do elongate their words more and their speech is broader, so easier to pick up phonetically. Our intonation is also different. Britain has many different and varied accents so I wouldn't be too concerned. If you use RP as your baseline you will pick up variations over time.
Obviously I have a British accent, but I look like a Southern European.
Obviously I have a British accent, but I look like a Southern European.
It might be because of the dominance of Hollywood, music and American news agencies. The majority of movies and series that language learners use to practise listening are in American English, one of the most famous series is "Friends". But generally, academic and official sources are in British English, such as Oxford, BBC, IELTS listening and Cambridge. I thought you had carrot colored hair like those British series specially in history genre that gave me that impression. They’re really hot.
Has anyone taken an online English proficiency test?
I took a test on the EF SET website, and the results were disappointing. I scored 50/100 overall, with the following scores:
Reading:52 — B2 (Upper Intermediate)
Listening: 45 — B1 (Intermediate)
Writing: 50 — B1 (Intermediate)
Speaking: 53 — B2 (Upper Intermediate)
According to the test's scoring guide, scores between 41 and 50 correspond to B1 (Intermediate).
I don't know how reliable the EF SET test is or whether it truly shows my real level. To what extent does it align with the standards and criteria of international exams(Like IELTS)? I thought I was at an Advanced level, but apparently, according to this test, I am not.
I took a test on the EF SET website, and the results were disappointing. I scored 50/100 overall, with the following scores:
Reading:52 — B2 (Upper Intermediate)
Listening: 45 — B1 (Intermediate)
Writing: 50 — B1 (Intermediate)
Speaking: 53 — B2 (Upper Intermediate)
According to the test's scoring guide, scores between 41 and 50 correspond to B1 (Intermediate).
I don't know how reliable the EF SET test is or whether it truly shows my real level. To what extent does it align with the standards and criteria of international exams(Like IELTS)? I thought I was at an Advanced level, but apparently, according to this test, I am not.