If English isn’t your first language, you might find you need to take an English language proficiency exam such as the IELTS or the TOEFL as part of your application to study abroad. In order to succeed, you’ll need to put a lot of continuous effort into learning a new language, but there are some quick fixes that can help to boost your test performance at short notice.
Watch movies in English
Watching series on Netflix might not exactly improve your debating skills or formal register, but it helps you to understand the language better, get used to colloquial, conversational forms of English and implicitly get a feeling for the language. Also, you could try to pick out words that sound highly informal and look up their more scholarly counterparts. Of course, there is also a plethora of documentaries (try anything by David Attenborough to start you off) to be found online as well. Being exposed to a language for the length of a movie might help you to actually start thinking in English.
Immerse yourself in English language news
Try to sample a broad range of English language newspapers, including broadsheets as well as magazines and tabloids. As well as helping you keep up to date with current affairs, this range of news sources will also expand your vocabulary. Another advantage is that you will also become more comfortable with how words are spelt and the contexts in which they are used.
Start a vocabulary book of useful words
Either in a notebook or on your computer, start making a list of useful words and phrases. Every time you hear or see a word you’re not familiar with, note it down. Don’t only focus on the word itself, but search for synonyms and phrases in which it’s used. After all, you might understand what words such as “precedence” or “tantalizing” mean, but do you know how to use them accurately?
Have conversations in English
As helpful as listening and reading tasks may be, you also need to use English interactively and practice your own speaking skills. If you’re lucky, you’ll be friends with a few native speakers who can help you out, but if not then try to meet up with someone else studying English. Another option is to talk to yourself in the mirror or record yourself. Listening to the sound of your own voice might be a little bit awkward at first, but you will be able to hear mistakes of which you weren’t previously aware.
Here are some simple things that you can do from home to maintain your general English level.
- Test yourself with practice questions
Alternate between doing timed practices and allowing yourself as long as you need to really understand the questions and texts. If you have any of the IELTS Authentic Practice Tests, there are model answers and examiner comments to help you analyse your own work.
If you don’t have access to the Cambridge IELTS practice tests series don’t worry, you can find official IELTS sample test questions on the IELTS website.
- Record yourself doing an IELTS Speaking test
If you have a friend who can practise with you, either at home or online, why not take turns being the examiner and the candidate. Listen back and evaluate your own performance. You could also try to note down everything you said, like a transcript, this will help you to identify any mistakes that you made. If you want to understand the IELTS Speaking test do read my recent blog.
- Check your bookshelf
Have a look on your bookshelves and see what old textbooks you have. Now might be the perfect time to finally work through that grammar book you got when you were 16 and didn’t ever complete! If you have test preparation materials, then why not do the questions. Even if you’ve already completed a reading comprehension task, the text itself is a really valuable resource which will be full of vocabulary that you can learn.
- Take some time to learn all about the IELTS test
We highly recommend you to download the following books and make sure you read through carefully.
The official Cambridge guide to IELTS
Barron’s the essential words for the IELTS
Get ready for IELTS Collins
Collins books
Find out more about each skills:
Reading
Writing
Listening
Speaking
- Keep your general English level up
Do some fun stuff and don’t just focus on IELTS. If you want some ideas of what you could be doing, check out my blog post about ways to work on your general English at home.
- Stay positive
Last but not least, in these uncertain times when nothing seems to be normal, we hope you are able to stay safe, stay strong and stay positive.