Study Overseas | Study Abroad Exams | Expert Tips | How To

Introduction

To teach ourselves a language, we must first listen, then talk, then read, and then write. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are the four language abilities we must master to communicate effectively.

To master these four fundamental language abilities, you must immerse yourself in English at home, at work, and during your leisure time. Extend your exposure to the language as much as possible.

If English is not your first language, you may be required to take an English language proficiency exam, such as the IELTS or the TOEFL, as part of your study abroad application.

Continue reading to learn how to overcome the obstacles that may be impeding your progress:

What are the 4 skills of English?

The ability to speak in English allows individuals all over the world to interact and understand one another. Each of the four skills of hearing, speaking, reading, and writing is crucial.

Learn English Listening Skills:

Given that listening accounts for around 45% of adult communication time, it should not be difficult to understand the value of listening.

This is much higher than speaking, which accounts for 30%, and reading and writing, which account for 16% and 9%, respectively.

Despite its importance, students (and even professors) frequently fail to give listening the attention it deserves.

This is especially noteworthy given that students frequently report that listening is the most difficult of all English skills.

1. Listen to music - old or new; whatever you like but pay attention to the lyrics. (Reading the lyrics can sometimes help you understand the tune)
2. Try the classics in movies, TV series, news, entertainment, and radio. You can watch the movie numerous times if you can watch DVDs. Watching with subtitles and then without when you feel more at ease. You can listen to English radio at home or on your phone. Even if you are not actively listening, your ears will become used to the language's sounds.
3. Attend English-language plays, exhibitions, and discussions hosted by English-speaking schools or communities.

Know the IELTS exam dates to apply on

Learn English Speaking Skills:

Speaking a language, like driving a car, playing a musical instrument, or learning to swim, is a skill. You must practice driving to become a good driver. You can learn about auto mechanics by reading a book. You can learn the traffic laws.

Nothing, however, is as beneficial to your driving as spending time behind the wheel of a car, really driving. The same is true for speaking English. It's difficult to improve your oral communication skills no matter how much you study grammar and vocabulary.

So perhaps you converse with yourself in English while you go about your day. Or perhaps you seek out opportunities to converse in English with people you encounter. However, the most effective technique to develop your English-speaking skills is to use them.

1. Join voiced chats. In terms of social networks, technology has improved significantly, so you may locate a chat-room to join no matter where you live.
2. Talk and record yourself. This may sound amusing, but it will help you realize how you may improve by repeating the tape until you are satisfied with the results.
3. Talk to your classmates When you are not in class, speak English. You may even form a group to play games, eat together, or simply chat.

Learn English Reading Skills:

You're probably aware that reading is valued even in your native language because it can be amusing and educational, can open up new worlds and enrich your life, and can improve hand-eye coordination and social skills.

However, reading in a foreign language, in this case English, offers additional vital benefits that might help you learn the language faster and more completely.

1. English-language books and articles on the internet. Perhaps works you've already read in your own language or that have been adapted into films. Begin with simple books, such as children's books and comics: Even if you don't know all of the words, the graphics will help you understand.
2. Change the operating system of your smartphone, PC, or tablet to English. Associating a function with a specific term will help you expand your vocabulary.

Do you know the Complete IELTS Syllabus?

Learn English Writing Skills:

Are you the type of person who picks up a pen to write when you have words on the tip of your tongue but they won't come out on paper? Or perhaps they fall swiftly onto the paper and appear on your screen, but you don't want to show anyone your writing? Don't freak out.Even the best authors have writer's block or have their work rejected numerous times. Vocabulary, grammar, spelling, punctuation, organization, and, most importantly, ideas are all required for writing. But the first step is straightforward: simply sit down and begin.

1. Make a list of words or expressions that you think may be beneficial, along with their definitions and examples. You will remember them better if you see them in sentences. If you keep a diary, you can utilize it.
2. Leave comments on English-language blogs. At the moment, blogs are websites that seem like journals. Many individuals use them to express their thoughts on a particular topic or to explain things - from how to knit a scarf to more difficult ones dealing with technical or philosophical issues.

What are the common mistakes in IELTS?

Do keep in mind these 7 tips that cause your language to appear poor, or inappropriate in IELTS but you can use them to improve your English irrespective of how you are taking the test:

1. Trying to memorize answers.

Although memorizing answers may be beneficial for written tests, this is not the case for your IELTS speaking test. Because you will be communicating with a human examiner in real time, you must reply properly, swiftly, and spontaneously.

As a result, if you're attempting to repeat an answer from memory, your response won't flow in a conversational manner. Instead of memorizing replies, it would be more beneficial to respond truthfully with whatever comes to mind at the time.

1. Not speaking aloud and with confidence:

You might be feeling nervous during your test – and that’s okay.

Your IELTS interviewer isn’t expecting you to speak like a news presenter. However, mumbling and avoiding eye contact wouldn’t do you any favors.

It helps to interact with your examiner as you would with a colleague or friend and occasionally smile as well as maintain good eye contact

1. Going off-topic.

It's easy to get off track, especially when you lose sight of the question or response and don't fully comprehend it. Unfortunately, talking more does not always result in more points. In fact, if your response fails to address the issue, you may lose scores for coherence. Before responding, take a time to consider whether you actually understand the question. If you need more information, you can ask the examiner to repeat the question or double-check your answers.

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1. Giving yes or no answers without good elaboration.

While it isn't always a good idea to talk more, not talking enough can also be a problem. After all, if you say too little or merely respond with "yes" or "no", you won't be able to demonstrate your fluency and competence. Depending on the segment of your test, you'll be given specific instructions about how long you should speak for - so you have a solid idea before answering. Depending on the question, you'll typically be needed to respond with two to six sentences.

1. Repeating the same words or phrases.

Repeating the same words or phrases will not help you get points on your test because it gives the appearance that you have a limited speaking vocabulary. It is beneficial to learn some synonyms or to increase your vocabulary in order to explain the same items or situations in different ways. As a result, communication becomes more innovative.

1. Overusing transition words.

Transition words such as "for example", "on the other hand", or "first" can be useful at times. However, utilizing them excessively may lower your score, especially if it hinders you from sounding natural. Other words employed in formal writing, such as "in addition" and "furthermore," might likewise sound strange when spoken in conversation.

Use these free Sample Paper to Improve your IELTS results

1. Parroting the question and poor pronunciation.

As its name suggests, parroting the question is repeating the interviewer’s question but in statement form.

Unfortunately, doing so wouldn’t impress the interviewer. This is because you’ll be graded on your ability to paraphrase the question structure or words and vary speech.

On top of that, poor pronunciation is another mistake to avoid, especially since pronunciation makes up 25% of your IELTS Speaking score. It helps to find synonyms that you are confident with pronouncing so as to have a smoother conversation.

Conclusion

Mastering English is like creating a beautiful musical composition. Just as each note contributes to the melody, every bit of grammar and vocabulary learned adds to your communication skills. In our interconnected world, English opens up new opportunities and bridges cultures. Learning English isn't just about language, it's about personal growth and expanded horizons. So, think of it as a journey that enriches your life's orchestra of connections.

FAQs Frequently Asked Questions for Improving your English

Which is the toughest section in IELTS?

Because writing is the most difficult section of the IELTS exam, Global Tree guarantees you the best IELTS practice platform for the next exam. Furthermore, several of our specialists suggested writing ideas to help you structure your essay, fully understand the task, check your response, and focus on the English language.

Does handwriting matter in IELTS?

Examiners are not permitted to use a candidate's handwriting to influence how they evaluate your responses. Having neat and legible handwriting, on the other hand, will make it significantly easier for the examiner to understand the thoughts you're attempting to communicate.

Which skill is difficult in IELTS?

Preparing for the IELTS exam entails focusing on many aspects of the English language. The level of difficulty varies from individual to person. Reading can be difficult for some people, while listening might be tough for others. Similarly, writing may be the most difficult for some candidates.

Is grammar important for IELTS?

Because IELTS is an English language proficiency test, test takers must ensure that their responses are written or stated correctly. Grammar is an important component in all four portions of the test. It does, however, play a significant role in the writing and speaking phases.