NEW LOOK

Dear All,
Our poss is returned back with new look! yes; new look. He has know nice social advices( as usual), let us follow his advice and enjoyed with calm atmosphere , and try to catch the films he proposed, by the way please any one catch the film he has to inform the other.

bfn

The Boss is BACK!

Hello people!

May I wish you:

Eid Mubarek!

Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!

IELTS success for everyone in 2008!

While I have been busy with family, work and celebrating various happy events I have been checking the blog. It is clear that the serious, committed students want the blog to continue. Fair enough, it just got very boring when no one was posting or commenting. It would be wonderful if more people just chatted to each other and used this blog as a kind of magazine and 'message board'.

Isn't the weather just fabulous here in the UAE? Get out there in the sunshine and blow those cobwebs and self-doubts away!

The BOSS is back (he never really went away)!

Standing by to hear from you - good / bad / sad / happy news, anything rather than just a strangled silence.

To reiterate what I have mentioned in various comments - I am enjoying a 'sabbatical' (lovely word - look it up!) from front line IELTS teaching as my full-time job requires my full attention and I had neglected my family in recent months. However, I plan to re-apply to be an IELTS examiner in 2008, so our paths might cross again - who knows?

We'll keep this as an general, 'running' blog to serve whatever purpose YOU need it for. Over to you on that, people!

Have a peaceful, productive last week of 2007 and may 2008 see you realise all your dreams and for this world to be a calmer, cleaner, more compassionate environment for us, our children and their children!

I am very excited about the exploits of my beloved football team, Watford FC, and look forward to their promotion to the English Premiership in 2008 (what do you have say on that one, Firas)?

OK then, what's on your wish list for 2008?

Come on, I got so 'fed up' with:

0 comments
0 comments
0 comments

Two super, 'must-see' films coming up soon in the local UAE cinema "The Kite Runner" and "The Golden Compass" - see them and post me your opinions on the blog [there is life beyond IELTS...]

Bye for now

Tony

Hello Again

Salam every body especially old friends and particularly Mr. Tony

it has been along time since my last post, any way some new news would be carried to you one of them is bad ( I mean very bad) while the other is OK.

First of all, I received the final answer from UK about the immigration to Canada, and unfortunately I failed, they have calculated my scores and they were 66 out of 67!!!!!!!!!!! Just imagine my disappointment after that, and for sure this little tiny point was taken out because of IELTS......

secondly, the good news is I restored my courage again after this shock and submit my papers ( as a new applicant) just 7 days back in order to accomplish the target points before the beginning of the new year since some roomers about changing the pass mark has been raised.

Sorry for disturbing you, but since we are friend I thought that I have to share my experience with you.

Thank you,
Regards.

MY IELTS Result ...

Good Morning All,

First of all sorry for the delay in publishing my result ... as i were upset :( and busy in Eid perpetration ... my result as follows...

Listening: 6.5
Reading: 5.0
Writing: 5.5
Speaking: 7.0

Overall: 6.0

I know that my problem is always with reading but in the writing I didn’t expect to have a process diagram which effect my writing mark… speaking was the best part not because of my marks, but I really enjoyed it as the examiner was so nice I didn’t feel like I’m in the exam… anyway this is what I have done so far… and waiting for your advice Tony…

Kind regards,

Non Stop English Website Recommended

Dear All,

I was absent for long time, but I return back with very supportive gift to all of readers am happy to submit this gift in very happy season, the gift is useful web site, you can improve your English language through different type of tests, it is also includes other pages concentrate on grammar spelling and so on, it is worth to tell you there is no link with IELTS but once you register FREE you will get periodically e-mail from this site, they will send you quizzes according to your level and timing . At last the site adress is www.nonstopenglish.com , I wish you very precious time with this site.

With My Best wishes

CAUTION !!!

Dear All,

Very happy Adha to all contributors, Merry Christmas and happy new year I wish all health and happiness .

I would like to bring to all your kind attention to last paragraph of Mr. Tony comment on Douglas letter, the comments includes two bad news:

First is his retired from IELTS , which Is a big lost to the new as well as old IELTS challengers but it still a personal choice, Secondly the shutdown of this blog; All of us sure that Mr. Tony is the Dynamo of this blog he is the one who started it, and he is the pivot of most letters, but still there are some people like to keep in touch each other through this channel to continue with improving his/her English language, beside keeping good relation with our teacher Mr. Tony .

Frome all above I believe your letters in this subject can Induce Mr. Tony to keep this blog live for extra time.Please put your opinion in this important decision. other wise Tony will feel it is useless to keep this blog live .

Best Regards

IELTS Results

Dear Mr.Tony



Today I received the results of IELTS which was held on 1st December 2007 as follows:

Liseting 6.5

Reading 5.5

Writing 5.5

Speaking 6.0



Overall Band 6.00



I am dissapointed after a hard work, this is what I achived. My requirment band is 7.00 . I need your advice on this issue.



Whishing you & your family a " Merry Christmas & Prosperous New Year "



Douglas

Academic Task 1 Writing..

Good Morning Tony,

I've took the exam yesterday, I was really shocked with writing task 1 as they gave us a process diagram about Sand Dune ...
At the beginning I didn't know what to write ... then i've started each diagram in a seperate paragraph until it reached 153 words...

waiting impatiently for 16th Dec. to know the results...

regards,
Hamda

RE:IELTS ON 1st Decmber 2007

Hi Tony ,
Today I am very much relaxed after a marathon preparation , but it is worth I felt today.
Listening part of course nothing to complaint, but I miss out three answers and managed to recollect & reply . hope it might click.
Reading part of course 1st & 2nd sections are ok and 3rd section as you said "time managemnt" is the problem. Topic is " WHALE " which is not that hard hard. ( not like violine ) but i coudnt answer last 6 questions and tried lady luck.
Writing part :
Task 1 was Organising a trip for one week with a friend & write a letter to the group about the arrangemnets so on ...
Task 2 two was about Noisy world & what are the problem & how to control it ? I am very much happy the way I managed to finish both on time , thank you for the guidance you have given me on this part.
Speaking test was ok . The topic was Memorable Photo ( 2 Minutes) & conversation topic was about photography where I pause my self while I was having conversation with the examiner .

Overal I am very much confident in the lisitening & writting I expect to score between 7-8
Other to part may be between 5.5-6.5 .

Once once again I Thank you very much for the support & guidence you gave us last three weeks . & I will continue to write during weekends on this web log.

Have a nice holiday, relax & enjoy


Douglas

Good luck Dec 1st IELTSers

My champs

All the very best for tomorrow, ladies and gentlemen, I hope (?) to be hearing from you on the blog...

By the way, my understanding is that you CAN use highlighter pens on the IELTS QUESTION paper. I specifically asked the examinations people and they said highlighters are permissible for use on the question paper. So, if you want to argue for the right to use a highlighter pen, then STAND UP for yourselves. I shall seek to clarify this point with the Examinations Officer after the National Day holiday.

Basically you are on your own, please feel free to post / comment on the blog. You all know my email address. You have been another extremely passive class and this blog has never really taken off (it is hardly likely to do so - witness the supine contribution (?) of the October IELTS class to the blog). It is your loss.

Hats off to Vladimir! It was a privilege for you all that this modest person bothered to come along and address you on Wednesday. Maybe that is why all 16 of you came along for the final class. Thanks again, Vladimir - you are a gentleman and a scholar.

As usual, there will be no comments on this post - you can see why I have currently lost interest in IELTS teaching at the BC.

Good luck everyone for the 1 and 15 December IELTS candidates!

Happy National Day for the UAE national students (I still have not accepted 'Emirati' as an English word) - 36 wonderful years and a superlative achievement of unity and co-operation for the 'Switzerland of the Gulf' as I once heard the UAE described.

Bye for now

Tony

ps Ayesha K (if you are reading (???) stick with the General Training, give it your best shot and then argue your case with a 6.0 / 6.5 (?) in your hand, OK?

Essay + Tony's comments/edits

To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable?


Since many years animals has been used for research, which has benefited humans for their survival. Opposes believe that it is cruelty to animals. This essay will discuss about some of the advantages of mammals and rats used for experiments.


First of all, experiments done on animals helped to treat many of the diseases including MRSA . As we know new bacteria’s are developing which is resistant against many of the old antibiotics which gave challenges to medical profession. Secondly insulin which is derived from pigs are used to treat diabetes. there fore humanity has saved from a killer disease. Medical sciences are in search of new medicines to treat or prevent new diseases such as AIDS. Finally animal research has helped for trials of organ transplantations like liver, and pancreas so human life could be saved and prolonged.


Many part of the world animals are used as a messenger including military services. I do remember an article which says Wales are used to identify some of changes in the sea and even to recognize enemies.

In conclusion necessity of animals in scientific research is crucial .As long as we do not have another option for experiments we have to accept the use of animals. (205 words)

For many years animals have been used for research, which has benefited humans for their survival. Opponents believe that it is cruelty to animals. This essay will discuss some of the advantages of using mammals and rats for scientific experiments.

First of all, experiments conducted on animals have helped to treat many diseases including MRSA . As we all know, new bacteria are developing which are resistant to many of the old antibiotics, which has posed severe challenges to the medical profession. Furthermore, insulin, which is derived from pigs, is used to treat diabetes. Therefore, humanity has been saved from a killer disease. Medical science is in search of new medicines to treat or prevent new diseases such as AIDS. Finally, animal research has helped for trials of organ transplantations such as liver and pancreas so that human life could be saved and prolonged.

It cannot be denied that in many part of the world animals are used as messengers including military services. I do remember an article which says whales are used to identify some of changes in the sea and even to recognize enemies. In this way, animals can play a significant part in tracking climate change and thereby help save lives in low-lying coastal areas such as Bangladesh.

In conclusion, it is of crucial necessity to continue using animals in scientific research. It is my firm belief that as long as we do not have other options for such experiments, we have to accept the use of animals. (251 words)

Very acceptable essay, the third paragraph needed more development. Very solid work, Daisamma. Yes, write complete sentences, my dear!

Any reaction from the silent majority?

Tony, 2 December 2007

Dear Tony,
This is the first time, I am entering web log, even I tried before I couldnot log on .I have read your comments, I regret that I lost many of my valuable days. From today i will try my best to be active in the log.
Thanks,
Daisamma joseph

ESSAY

Hi Guys

It is worth to see the web site http://www.writefix.com/ , which gives more ideas about essays, specially if there is any arguments. Even the samples are provided. The other side which you can do the practice on your own , go to http://www.google.ca/ and type "free IELTS preparation papers", for almost three hours. It's interesting, try it out ?

I took one argument out of the 69 which were given by Tony, to practise:

• Children should never be educated at home by their parents. Do you agree or disagree?

It is an interesting topic, specially because I have two daughters who are schooling here , and my wife and I are full time workers to survive in today's way of living style. My eldest daughter is in grade 10 ( British syllabus) in an international school, whereas my youngest daughter is studying in an Indian school. Through my experience I may disagree to some extent.

Nowadays in most of the families both parents are working to manage the expenses in day to day life. In this part of the world ( U.A.E ) specially Education is the most expensive but parents do not mind because it will benifit the children one day. Moreover, with that expectation, I am sure most of the parents are depending on the Teachers who are professionally trained to bring up the next generation to the very competitive society. Like me, I am sure, others too agree not only the studies but the manners , how to deal with the society and so on to teach the children in school. My Eldest daughter is very much comfortable with one of her class teachers and some time we get know her requirments & weekness etc through that particular teacher.

However, everything you cannot expect teachers to teach the children . One of the main points, which I want to mention is that the teachers does not know the habits of most families which are taught by parents. In my family every evening except week-ends, both of my daughters are compulsary to show the home work or revision to us and my wife help them to do . But how many parents are taking intrest on this ?

I would like to conclude stating that, eventhough children are educated in schools , it is our duty to follow up and show them that we are concerned about them and this will make children to be serious about their studies and other activities. Who wants to see their children not worthy in the society ?

Tony's reaction:

Thank you Douglas for this initiative! I can make some suggestions (and will do so) regarding improving certain aspects of your writing above. I think you missed the point somewhat - the question said children should "never" be educated at home by their parents. There are bad schools, bad teachers and bad parents. So as ever, we have to define our terms and qualify how we will treat such a question.

Your third paragraph opened up the dimension of parental responsibility for the child's moral education, which goes far beyond the role a teacher can perform.

What do others think?

Once again, thank you for your input, Douglas.

Tony

Damage environment and life style

Dear Feras,

Your posts really make me keep reading and contributing into the Blog. Wish you every success in your mission to defeat the ILETS monster. As a result, i feel myself encouraged to enlarge your experience in writing by adding some comments as (green) colored:

Dear Colleagues


When any one read this subject, first question jumps to his mind did ( I think "DOES" is the right word as it indicates the present time and it is simple present verb that illustrates the time you are talking about is continuous. sure our life has not ended yet. The use of the verb "DID" indicates that our life has started and then ended) our life style destroy or cause damage to our lovely plant environment?, and if yes haw (how) this will happen and what we can do to reduce this influence on our earth.? ( you have to use the question mark because you are asking a question here and trying to give the answer in your essay)


One team he agrees ( the word "TEAM" indicates a group of people and for many people you have to use the verb "agree" without "S") that the speedy world we live in and the luxury life style some of us live with is causing many bad influence on environment, while other team believes that the modern style of our life serves the people in a way could cover the damage caused to environment.

In this few rows I will not take the position to defend one opinion against the other but I will bring some evidence shows that both teams has (have, because you have mentioned two teams not one) their vision. I think that our current life style caused many problems to the environment, for example we enjoy riding cars, flight by airplans, to save our time and efforts, and we are using several disposable items on a daily basis, like plastic cups and dishes, plastic pages etc. All this items caused bad influence on our environment. Vise versa our speedy life force us to depend on this item to cover our needs.
When you finish your introduction you should start a new paragraph in a new line, so the sentence " I think that our current life style...........item to cover our needs" should be below your introduction " ....their vision".

THE ABOVE INTRODUCTION IS WONDERFUL, BUT TOO LONG. YOU SHOULD MAKE IT SHORTER AND DIRECTLY INTO THE SUBJECT. YOU SHOULD MAKE IT TWO TO THREE ROWS 30 WORDS APPROXIMATLY.
However, there are some acts can reduce this bad influence on the enviroment by using public transporation instead of our own cars , replace the plastic bags with those made from paper, reduce the use of electronic items like air conditioning.

In conclusion, that advantages and disadvantages for our present life style is almost equal and the whole story depend on balancing our needs with our earth needs to live in a safe and healthy environment.

Regards,

Feras


TRY TO USE THE RIGHT PUNCTUATION.


ALL THE BEST

Captain"Tony",
what do you think? needs two paragraphs with more words and sentences.

Information Technology

Dear Colleagues

Today i wanna talk about the influence of information technology on our daily work and the working process in the past ten years.

First idea came to my mind that if we are still depending on the classic methods of storing our data using papers and files, the situation how it will be? I think that we will have a huge numbers of papers, folders and pictures...etc. While in the other hand using the information system technology such as database softwares and compact disks will help us a lot.

These kind of items i mentioned above help to decrease time and efforts to store the data and being more effective and safer than the classic ways, for example we can store and get back all the information we need with a butoom press on our personal computer and our data can be copied and keep safe from the danger of fire or weather influence, and we can navigate all the information we need in a short time.

Therefore, i believe that informatin technology may list as one of the improtant progress in our contemporary history.

Thanks.

Feras

What are you waiting for?

Time is running fast. Reading the blog is fine, but unless you contribute then it's 'megaphone' teaching with me shouting at you and getting little, if not zero, response.

Oh for the blogs of 2005!

We need leaders, students with character and dynamism to make this blog work. You said you were waiting for the weekend, so . . .

That's all from me for the time being, unless you guys get your acts together! (At least I tried. . .)

Tony

Essay writing practice

Class

See what a former Academic IELTS student posted on the weblog in July and how I re-wrote his essay.

What do you think?

Tony

ieltsdrama.blogspot.com/2007/07/for-mr-tony-only.html

Come on and contribute!

Hmm

The weekend has started (for some)! Lots to do, so take a deep breath and think about:

• organising those folders
• starting those vocab lists
• listening to 90.3FM for 30 minute chunks (not in the car)!
• reading those task 1 handouts and going through the Insight book sections on task 1 writing
• digesting those reading strategies handouts and self-studying Insight reading sections - units 1, 2 and 3
• going through old weblogs - one of my favourites, which lasted for four months, thanks to massive student contributions, was http://www.ieltsdream.blogspot.com/
• looking at the spelling of those 12 cities you couldn't spell (you only got the phonetic one - Toronto)!
• registering for the January IELTS as soon as possible
• reading your National Geographic magazine - why not post a message here on the blog about what you've read and found interesting?
• doing some hard work in the Learning Zone (open Saturdays until 3pm)
• finding out that greatest invention
• joining this weblog
• checking out some IELTS websites - chiefly http://www.writefix.com/ and for general interest NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING compares to http://www.bbc.co.uk/
• looking ahead to a fun-filled second week with 'Uncle' Tony

OCTOBER students: see, you have deserted me and only Ali and Hamda have been in touch. I have cancelled all the outstanding invitations for those who did not take up my offer [email me if you want to join].

FORMER students: just drop in and say hello - how are you getting on? My mate Firas Shaker is still contributing regularly, let's hear from the rest.

It's rather strange to be talking to myself - can I have a reaction / comment please?

Enjoy the weekend - are you weak at the end of that four day session? There's lots more to come . . .

Standing by

Tony

Hi Mr. Tony



This morning, i want to give small notes about the last letter which i wrote in the classroom.



After I read all notes you mentioned on my letter, I figure out that 75% of my mistakes limited in spelling mistakes, not giving spaces between the words, capital and small letters, and I think that with more concentrating and focussing I can do better.


Feras

IELTS Challenger

Dear Mr. Tony



I would like to thank you for inviting me to attend this weblog, which in my opinion will add value for me and for my colleagues. I feel that we have to give name to our study group and let me suggest "IELTS Challenger", i hope that all my colleagues in the class will agree with me about this name. Mr Tony, for the last two days since our IELTS preparation course start i figure out that IELTS need practice and practice and practice and to know how you can catch points and how you should avoid mistakes, so you don't loose points. As for now i feel comfortable with the information i got about the IELTS test mecanisem and criteria and for the next 3 weeks i will put my full attention and efforts to benefit from your experience as teacher and examiners. The only thing i had to manage , is my work timing so i can save more time to study and log to the useful website you gave us.



Thank you again Tony



Feras

IELTS Recommended Websites

Dear Tony,

I've tried to check the IELTS recommended website which you gave us, but i've observed that most of them are not working. So do you recommend any other websites...??

Hamda

Hmmm

Thanks, Hamda but WHAT sites aren't working? OK the Australian ones on the list and the Russian one (Section 1 numbers 3, 4 and 6) appear down. BUT what about:

http://www.ielts.org/
http://cambridgeesol.org.teach/ielts/
www.elc.polyu.edu.hk/ielts
http://www.writefix.com/

???? They are ALL working (just tried them) and I strongly recommend the HONG KONG Polyuniversity site as well as Writefix.

Be more specific, because the new students will think that ALL the websites are out-of-date.

Regards

Tony

What is the point?

Hello again!

Well, I was going to give a detailed response to some of your comments in the end-of-course questionnaire, but I hardly think it is worth it.

The thing is, 36 hours went by so quickly, didn't they? Unfortunately, we cannot just do practice test after practice test. You need to understand what IELTS is testing you on and then you apply that knowledge. Some of you can barely attend the 12 classes, let alone do the preparation and long hours in the Learning Zone. Others make it to most classes, but their minds and focus are elsewhere. There are those that miss classes and they should be ashamed of depriving more deserving students from entering these much in-demand IELTS preparation courses at the British Council.

There again, there are those extremely negative students who felt they had hardly improved in any skills; that everything (listening, reading, writing and speaking) was "most worrrying". Also, according to this person, the teacher was not "hard" enough and needed to give "a lot of listening, reading, writing and speaking"; the course should have been longer and this person would NOT recommend a friend/colleague to do the 36 hour course maybe if it had been longer??? Boy, some people are never satisfied, are they?

For the record, this weblog is not a website where I deposit IELTS practice material. It is, ideally, an interactive means of communication between me and you. You make or break the weblog. No reaction, no contribution = no dialogue & no benefit...

So, all those good intentions? All that freed-up time before your 1 December exam, let's hear from you! Otherwise, you are are a passive, lost non-community who cannot take responsibilty for your own learning. Or, just blame:

• the teacher
• the weather
• life
• the unfairness of IELTS
• lack of time
• your boss
• the traffic
• the lack of parking
• ........???????!!!!!!!!!!!

Over to you, I shall be kicking off the new course tomorrow evening. Maybe they will put you to shame... lol

Ciao

Tony

An inspiration then, now and forever

Everyone

Read about Mais Al Bassam, from Baghdad via London, and see that miracles do happen.

I will be in touch after I have digested your end-of-course questionnaires - some people are rather disappointed with certain aspects of the course. I understand and wonder how much responsibility YOU are prepared to take for YOUR learning.

I will never forget Mais Al Bassam and was proud to play a part in her amazing achievement.

Bye for now

Let's hear from you (lol)

Tony

ieltsdream.blogspot.com/2005/07/dearest-sir-tony-i-did-it.html

IELTS Writing Module.

Dear “Captain”

I have a friend who is currently attending IELTS preparation course in the British Council. This friend has been told by his instructor that for the (WRITING) module, he has to write an essay of “two-side” argument style instead of the “one-side” approach. I mean FOR and AGAINST essay, while I do remember your (golden advice) to write “one-side” essay (either FOR or AGAINST) as your case and the related instances would be more convincing than the “two-side” elements.
This friend has been told that he is doing a huge mistake and the writing assessor (in the real IELTS exam) will deduct some marks for the candidates whom are writing “one-side” essay.
Please advise whether this friend has to follow his tutor’s instruction or he can change his writing style as per your above mentioned advice?


Yours sincerely,

Private tuition

Dear Tony,

My boss's wife, who is Swiss, needs to learn English but she is unable to go to British Council because she has small babies at home, therefore, she prefers private tuition.

As British Council do not offer private tuitions, it came to my mind asking you if know any british lady/man who can do the job. If yes, please provide me with a contact number in order to get in touch with her/him.

Thanks a lot.
Regards
Maha Hanna

A chance to redeem yourselves

Hello everyone!

Smashing news about Maha, wasn't it? She had achieved Band 7.0 overall for GT IELTS, but then the rotten Canadian authorities said she needed 7.0 7.0 7.0 and 7.0 in all FOUR modules, not just overall. Phew! That would have been tough, but the outcome was positive in the end. Bravo, Maha!

As for now, and my champs-to-be, here are a few announcements:

• please bring the INSIGHT book tomorrow TUESDAY, for the Final tests (are you reading me, Jaafer?)
• I would appreciate those National Geographic magazines back
• OK then, let's do the Diana debate for Wednesday
• I have decided to keep this blog going for my next course, which starts on 11 November (yep, another three week sprint...). So that means you can keep in touch and help the next batch. Don't worry Sayed, I shall re-invite you all now. So this is your means of redeeming yourselves (lol).

See you in two hours' time!

Take courage!

Tony

Hi all

Dear Tony, old IELTS batch, new IELTS contributors

It is been long since I post something on the IELTS weblog. It was summer vaction, then busy office workload, then laziness.

I have good news old friend, I was ready to do another IELTS and bought some new books to prepare myself then I received my medical papers from the Canadian immigration. It means that(band 7) was enough and got me the points I need to pass the immigration points.

Tony, I enjoy reading the weblog and the comments of the new comers who do not really know what is waiting for them. I salute your enthusiam on every new course and the way you energize the group. I alwyas recall how funny and enjoyable was our course. I miss Ahmad, Khawala and all the people who I forgot their names but did not forget their faces.

Please guys listen to Tony, he should guide you well, you shall score enough in IELTS if you practice and listen to his instructions.

I will alwyas contribute to IELTS as I feel I still belong to every group who struggles for IELTS.

GOD bless you all.

Regards,

Maha Hanna

Useful IELTS Practice Book

Dear all,

I know this course is full of practises for all the modules, and our great teacher Tony is trying to give us as much as he can of the practises, but for me is not enough specially for the period after finishing this course. Most for us who will be not able to come the the British Council to do some practises, however I recommend a book which I bought from All Prints book store, I don't actually remember the name

[Tony here: The book is called "BARRON'S IELTS" by Dr Lin Lougheed and costs Dhs 100 (ISBN 978-0-7641-7935-8) including the audio CD. I'll talk about in class and try to give some further feedback on the blog. It is wonderful to see some initiative coming from the class. Well done, Roudah!]

of it but it's full of practises with answer keys and a CD is included for all the modules Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. I found it very useful as I will work on it in the period before the test. I will bring the book with me on Sunday, you can check it if you would like to.

I just would like to tell you about that if you are interested on it.

Best Regards,

Roudah

A suggestion from Ahmed... Any thoughts?

Greetings everyone!

Ahmed kindly sent in this comment to the blog; unfortunately I missed it! I'll give my reaction and would love to hear from present and past students:

Dear Mr. Tony,

This is my first post in the blog, hence I would like to thank you a lot for your honesty and effort in pushing us up to learn more English.

But I have some concerns regarding the class; as I know, this course is mainly created to prepare for the IELTS exam. As a suggestion, why we do not change the class style to focus more on the exam requirements?? I'm not saying that I do not want to learn more, but we have lack of time so we can stick to what is needed in IELTS.

We can do every two days (an IELTS exam) for example using old papers OR the examples in the book. I think by this way we can be comfortable and have the ability to get ready for the exam. This can be discussed in the class and wish to (get the best knowledge from the best teacher).

Best Regards,

Ahmed

October 24, 2007 11:20 AM

Regretably, we did not discuss this last night and Ahmed was too polite to bring the matter up. I can sense his frustration. He knows about IELTS and feels that we should do more practice tests. Unfortunately others in the course have no background in IELTS and need to learn about the exam's requirements as well as the theory and strategies to succeed. So I have to maintain a balance between: language input / IELTS theory and approach / exam practice.

In my defence, I would argue that we ARE doing a mock paper every day, which is based on past IELTS papers. I have started the full-scale IELTS interviews for the Speaking and will be marking 12 pieces of assessed writing by the end of the course! As Ahmed got band 8.0 for the Listening test on Monday, it is clear that he has some IELTS pedigree! Also it is possible to buy IELTS Practice Tests - Books 2, 4 and 5 (we are using Book 3 in class). Furthermore, my ex-colleague Robbie is selling five complete IELTS tests on his website http://www.ieltshelpnow.com/ for $29.95. It is the Speaking and Writing that you cannot assess yourselves. On a logistical note, it would be impossible for me to mark 16 IELTS practice exams every two days and to give you the results the next day! Please note that that we shall be doing full task 1 / task 2 Writing tests in class during the final week. Also lesson 11 on Tuesday 6 November consists of a full-scale IELTS Listening / Reading / Writing examination and you will get the marked tests back the next day, 7 November with IELTS bandings.

What I am saying is that you need to have the correct techniques and strategies and improved skills to apply in the IELTS test practice. With this knowledge, you can learn from your mistakes and do better than you did in your previous IELTS exams(s). So, dear Ahmed, give the course a little more time and do as much extra practice as you can in your free time (lucky man!) in the Thursday - Sunday period and during the mornings/afternoons with all the practice materials that are available.

By the way, everything that I teach on this 36 hour course is aimed at how to "prepare for the IELTS exam". I would love to take you for a guided tour of the wonders of the English language, but, alas, that will have to wait for another time.

IELTS veterans, Firas, Maha, Khawla, Ahmed and Vladimir, what advice do you have for Ahmed? You have the experience of completing the 36 hour course then tackling the actual IELTS exam. We would love to hear how you felt the preparation course helped you and how you did that extra preparation that enabled you to succeed in meeting your IELTS targets.

Thank you in anticipation

Standing by...

Tony

Check those inboxes!!!

ieltscommunity22!!!

You have been invited to the weblog. Check those inboxes!

Former IELTS students are standing by to answer your questions and to offer you priceless advice.

Bye for now

Tony

Rugby

Yesterday, 20th October-2007 at 11.oo o'clock night.

It was a great match.

England versus South Africa in the final “Rugby” match of the world championship on 2007. Two teams were competing against each other until the last moment.
You could only salute the players’ fighting spirit and admire their way of playing.
Although the mach was for the championship “final”, but it did not witness any hustle between the players. Both teams played in a very sportsmanship manner.
Some people of you might say, why I’m writing enthusiastically about this game? Most of us do not know Rugby or not interested about it because it is a very hard and intense game. I’m fit to write about my national football team who won the “Asian Cup” rather than speaking about Rugby.
Well, if you had seen the match yesterday, you would have noticed that both teams were playing not to win the championship’s cup, but to bring a great victory for their countries and fans. It was the ‘glory’ of England or South Africa there, especially both countries are predominant in this game.
Some of the games such as “football,” have a percentage of “luck” to determine its result, but “Rugby” has the players’ athletic bodies and their willing/determination to win the game.

Captain Tony,
I think the name “Montgomery” has always been a winner (Second World War), but this time was for South Africa. England team was great, they gave all their best and they should celebrate their achievement to reach the “final”.

One small step

Greetings to past, present and future IELTS candidates!

Yes, the caravan has moved on and as the saying goes, each journey starts with one small step.

The blogs have changed. My status and time available for input have also altered. Yet, at the end of the day, it's what you people make of it - the readers and contributors.

Blogging is a massive phenomenon in the West and has made a great impact on the distribution of news and enabling real communication between writers and their audiences. I like to think that these IELTS blogs, which go back to March 2005, are a resource and inspiration to my IELTS students at the British Council, Abu Dhabi.

This latest blog is not for me to blow my own trumpet or to berate hapless students about how difficult the IELTS is and how hard they need to study. No, I see it as a communication tool linking me and you. If you don't want to interact with me, then so be it. It's your loss and you will not leave a footprint for me or future courses to remember you by. We shall see...

My previous blog: www.ieltsdrama.blogspot.com will now fade into the sunset. Let's see how the IELTS veterans can help the newbies (this will be a proper word sooner or later - mark my words!) give themselves their best shot at their upcoming IELTS ordeal.

Let's hear from you!

Tony