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

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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