IELTS Listening Strategy and Tactics

Technique is Everything!!

IELTS
1. IELTS is an English proficiency exam to test your knowledge of English at a level acceptable for a university. 2. Must be good at Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking 3. IELTS scores are done in bands (0-9). Different scores in each section and you get a overall score.

Preparation
1. Vocabulary 2. Spelling

http://www.ugru.uaeu.ac.ae/Spelling/IELTS/IELT S.htm
2. British Accent Awareness

http://www.davidappleyard.com/english/pronunciat ion.htm
3. Difference American British Words

http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/library/words2.ht m
4. Listening to BBC Radio:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/

IELTS Test Basics

You will listen to 4 different recordings and answer 40 questions. The test takes approximately 30 minutes. You will have an additional ten minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet You only hear the audio once. A variety of voices and native-speaker accents is use. You will hear conversations and monologues, with topics ranging from the everyday social to the academic. A variety of question types are used, including multiple choice, form completion, note completion, summary completion, sentence completion, and short-answer questions. Candidates for IELTS Academic and IELTS General both do the same listening test

IELTS Basics Continued

There are certain facts which you should know about the IELTS listening section 4 audios will be played in the IELTS listening section You will have to answer the questions relating to the audio You will get an extra 10 minutes to transfer to your answers to the answer sheet If you fail to transfer your answer to the answer sheet, you will get a zero You will hear the recording only once You will have some time to look at the questions before the recording starts You will only hear the voice, you will not watch a video You would get a headphone or speakers to listen the conversation There will be 40 questions in the IELTS listening section You will not be penalized for the wrong answers There will be different types of questions on the IELTS listening part

Before the Exam

Before the exam Make sure you are familiar with the instructions for the different question types so you can quickly glance at the questions and know what to do. Think about the type of situations you might come across living or studying in an English speaking country, such as someone asking for directions or talks on topics of general interest. Listen to as wide a range of material as possible English language television and radio, listening sites on the Internet and films and music are all great sources. Do as many practice tests as you can to get used to the speed of delivery and the task types. Focus on the strategies and skills you need for listening

During the Exam (Before List)

During the exam Before listening Make sure you use the 30 seconds given at the beginning of each section to read the questions before listening. Make sure you look at all the questions in each section. Make sure you read the instructions carefully. Make sure you know what form your answer should take e.g. a word, a letter, a tick, a phrase, a circle around the correct letter etc Make sure you use the time given to analyse the questions. Decide what you are listening for. Are you listening for specific information, for the main idea or for the speakers attitude? Use the outline given of the topic, who is talking and the situation to predict possible answers. When you look at the questions, think about synonyms. You may not hear the exact words that are in the answer choices.

While Listening
While listening Listen carefully to the instructions. Listen out for key words and common signpost words like on the other hand, in contrast etc Remember the questions usually follow the same sequence as the conversation or talk but the information may be expressed differently from the questions. Write down something even if you havent got the answer before moving on to the next question. Make sure you continue to listen while you are writing as you only hear the tape once. Dont get stuck on a question you cant answer. Just move on. Remember there may be sections of irrelevant information. Just keep listening for the information you need. Write notes in the question booklet as you listen. This may help you go back to a difficult question later.

After Listening
After listening Make sure you transfer your answers correctly. Make sure you use the time given to check your answers. If you cant remember an answer, guess.

Test Overview
TEST OVERVIEW Section 1 2 3 4 Context Social Needs Social Needs Educational or Training Academic Subject Number of Speakers Conversation between two speakers Speech by one speaker Conversation between up to four speakers Speech by one speaker

Section 1 and 2 Overview

Section One In the first section there is a conversation between two speakers. For example - a conversation about travel arrangements, booking accommodation, or decisions on a night out. Section Two The second section is a monologue (a speech by one person). It will be set in an everyday social context. For example - a speech about student services on a University campus or arrangements for meals during a conference.

Section 3 and 4 Overview

Section Three Section three is a conversation between up to four people. For example - a conversation between a tutor and a student about an assignment or between three students planning a research project. Section Four The final part is another monologue. It is a lecture or talk of general academic interest such as a university lecture.

IELTS Question Types

The Questions: The following types of question may appear on the test: multiple choice short-answer questions sentence completion notes/summary/diagram/flow chart/table completion labelling a diagram which has numbered parts classification matching You will be provided with instructions on the test paper on how to answer the questions, and they are clear and easy to follow. You will be given examples of any unfamiliar question types.

Multiple Choice Strategy

1. Locate the key words in the question 2. Underline the key words 3. You will need to listen for these words so you are aware of when the answer will be given. 4. Be mindful that all three options will be given. 5. You must listen for the option connected to the key words in the question.

How to do the multiple choice questions Read the instructions carefully and check how many letters you need to circle. Skim the questions and the answer choices quickly before the recording starts and during the 30 seconds given. As you do this, underline the key words the words that give you the most information, such as the wh- words and nouns. try to work out what you are going to hear from the vocabulary of the questions and/or pictures. translate any pictures into words and look for details that are different in the options. decide what kind of information you need to listen out for. Listen to the introduction given carefully. Answer the questions as you listen. Circle the letters. The information will be given in the same order as the questions, although it might be expressed differently. Be prepared not to hear the first or even second answer choices mentioned.

Classification Question
As with other parts of the IELTS Listening Test, you are not being tested on your own opinions or knowledge. The answers will be on the IELTS Listening Test recording itself. Here is an example: Classify the following styles of architecture as A Seventeenth Century B Eighteenth Century C Nineteenth Century Write the correct letter, A, B or C next to each. 1 ...... Gothic Revival 2 ...... Italianate 3 ...... Neo-Classical 4 ...... Picturesque 5 ...... Baroque 6 ...... Regency 7 ...... Greek Revival

How to do these classification questions Read the instructions carefully. Make sure you know how many classifications there are and what letters you have to use. Read the classifications carefully and make sure you know which letter represents each one. Read the statements/phrases or words beside the question numbers and make yourself as familiar with them as possible. You will hear them all mentioned but they may be expressed differently in the text. Underline the key words in both the classifications and the question statements. Listen out for the words you have underlined. Dont leave any statements without a letter.

Example
Questions 1 -4 Write the appropriate letters A-C against questions 1-4. Where are the following facilities? A in Portsmede B in Smalltown C in Farmton 1 ice rink 2 cinema .. 3 French restaurant . 4 clinic Example hairdressers C.

Short Answer Questions

How to do short answer questions Read the instructions carefully. Skim the questions quickly before the recording starts and during the 30 seconds given. As you do this, underline the key words. try to work out what you are going to hear. decide what you need to listen out for. look out for question words like where and who which indicate you should listen for specific things like places and people. Listen to the introduction given carefully. Answer the questions as you listen. The answers will be given in the same order as the questions although they may be expressed differently.

Look at the examples below. Type 1 Questions 1 and 2 Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS or A NUMBER for each answer. 1 On which day of the week is the museum closed? 2 How old is the museum? .

Sentence Completion
How to do sentence completion questions Read the instructions carefully. Read the sentences carefully before the recording starts and during the 30 seconds given. As you do this, underline the key words. try to work out what you are going to hear. decide what you need to listen out for. anticipate grammatical form as well as vocabulary. if the sentences are part of a table, check whether they are horizontal or vertical. Listen to the introduction given carefully. Answer the questions as you listen. The information will be given in the same order as the questions, although it may be expressed differently. You may use your own words. Make sure your sentences are grammatically correct.

Example
Look at the example below. Questions 1 - 3 Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer. 1 Both Hong Kong and Japan have . 2 There are more . .. visiting Japan. 3 Tourists are interested in . and . .

Table Completion Question

How to do these completion questions Read the instructions carefully. Look at the table or form etc carefully before the recording starts and during the 30 seconds given. As you do this, examine any headings or subheadings. try to work out what you are going to hear. decide what you need to listen out for. anticipate grammatical form as well as vocabulary. if a box of answers is given, see if you can guess any of the matches & eliminate unlikely answers. Listen to the introduction given carefully. Answer the questions as you listen. Make notes beside the question if you are not sure of the answer.

Type 1 Questions 1 -5 Complete the table below using the words from the box. Write the appropriate letters A-G against Questions 1-5. Breed Facts Pug (1) .. Scottish Terrier (2) .. Shih Tzu (3) .. Great Dane (4) .. Greyhound (5) .. A watchdog in Chinese imperial courts B bred to chase foxes C status symbol D police dog E bred to guard sheep F appealed to Victorians G came from the Middle East

Type 2 Questions 6 -8 Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS or A NUMBER for each answer. SOUTH DOWNS DOG SHOW Date: (6) . Time: (7) to Place: (8)

Labeling a Diagram
How to do labelling the diagram questions Read the instructions carefully. They will state how many words you should use if there is not a box of labels provided. You could be asked to write one word only. Study the diagram. You may be able to predict one or two answers or associated vocabulary that you may hear connected to a particular label. Check whether the labels are numbered in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction. The information will be given in the same order as the numbers on the diagram. Write down or select the labels as you listen. Use the words you Booth 6 Postal Service Oriental art hear, not your own.

8 Standard TRAPS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Sentence Re-Ordering Synonym Language Self Correction Delayed Response Exact Language Multiple Options Positive Negative Provide All Possible Answers

Key Strategies
1. 2. 3. 4. Recognizing Key Words in a Question Underline the Key Words Recognizing Synonym Language Listen for Targeted Information: Phone Numbers, Dates, numbers, money, weight 5. Recognize Directional Language 6. Separate Weak Points 7. Prediction Prediction Predcition: recognize the words that can change, predict the synonyms. Also recognize on gap filling where the blank line is in the sentence to predict answer placement. Recognize when listening for a NOUN, VERB, ADJECTIVE

IELTS Tricks to Fool You!!

1. Writing words which have silent letters 2. Compound nouns which must be spelt as two words with a gap 3. Compound nouns which must be spelt as two words with a hyphen 4. Asking them to write irregular plurals and/ or verbs 5. Asking them to write words which even native speakers find it difficult to spell, e.g. definitely Grammar 6. Gaps which are grammatically different from the words in the listening text Spotting the correct information 7. Needing to select the right answer from several things that are all mentioned 8. A long time before the answer to the first question

More tricks by IELTS

Spotting the correct information 7. Needing to select the right answer from several things that are all mentioned 8. A long time before the answer to the first question Numbers 9. Asking them to write times and/ or dates 10. Testing comprehension of numbers which are pronounced in more difficult ways in the text, e.g. half a million, ten to two and nought point five Fitting in the gap 11. Answers which are antonyms (= words with the opposite meaning) of the words in the text 12. Gaps where it is difficult to choose the right length of answer 13. Questions where the correct determiner (e.g. some, three, a, the) must be included Pronunciation 14. Grammatical endings which are difficult to hear, e.g. ed when it sounds like t and s in ts Misc 15. Both a number and a word or words needed in one gap

Even More IELTS Tricks

1. Asking them to write words with consonant combinations whose spelling and pronunciation are difficult to guess and remember, e.g. photo and chorus 2. Words with double letters, e.g. ed forms and er forms 3. Compound nouns which must be spelt as one word 4. Asking them to write numbers or words which are said with double 5. Asking them to write words which need capital letters Grammar 6. Questions where the preposition must be correct to get a point

Tricks Tricks Tricks

Spotting the correct information 7. Gapped sentences that use different words from the text (even though the word or words in the gap are the same as the text) 8. Needing to spot that someone changes their mind 9. Varied amounts of time between the answers to the questions, e.g. two answers quite close together and then a long time before the next answer Numbers 10. Asking them to write amounts of money 11. Asking them to write large numbers

Tricks
Fitting in the gap 12. Answers which would be longer than the maximum number of words if they didnt use note form (= cut out some of the grammatical words) 13. Questions in which they need to write the plural for their answer to be correct Pronunciation 14. Questions where unstressed words must be written Misc 15. Changing task during a single listening text

Spelling Information
Spelling 1. Answers which have different British and American spelling. (Easier because British and American are both are okay in the exam.) 2. Questions in which both a symbol and a word (e.g. $ and dollars) are okay in the answer 3. Collocations made of words which students are likely to be familiar with even if theyve never heard that combination before

IELTS Speaking
Section 1 The Academic Speaking Test Section 1 begins with some general introductory questions. This is followed by some questions on personal information similar to the type of questions one would ask when meeting someone for the first time. Finally the examiner asks a series of questions of 2 topics of general interest. (4 - 5 minutes)

IELTS Speaking
Section 2 The Academic Speaking Test Section 2 is a monologue (1 person speaking) by the candidate. The examiner will give the candidate a card with a subject and a few guiding questions on it. The student must talk for 1 to 2 minutes on this subject. The examiner decides on the exact length. The student has an optional 1 minute in order to prepare for his talk and is provided with some paper and a pencil in order to make some brief notes. After the candidate's talk the examiner will ask 1 or 2 brief questions in order to finish off the section. (3 - 4 minutes)

IELTS Speaking
Section 3 In the Academic Speaking Test section 3 the examiner will ask some more questions generally related to the subject spoken about in section 2. These questions will be more demanding and require some critical analysis on the part of the candidate. (4 - 5 minutes)

IELTS Speaking Tips

1. Demonstrate Fluency. It is not a questions answering contest. You need to demonstrate your fluency. 2. Answer the Question Completely. 3. Speak in complete sentences. 4. Anticipate the next question. 5. Dominate the conversation, show you are not afraid to talk. 6. Do not speak outside the borders of the question. 7. Take notes for section 2. 8. Yes, your grammar matters! 9. Dont try to shut the question down.

Speaking Marking
Marking - IELTS Academic Speaking Test Marks, Bands and Results In the IELTS Academic Speaking Test you will be marked in 4 areas. These 4 areas are: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy and Pronunciation. For the first 3, you get a mark out of 9. For Pronunciation you get a 2, 4, 6 or 8. Finally an average is taken to give you your final band for the Speaking. Let's look at these areas in more detail. Fluency and Coherence: The examiner grades your fluency, which is how easy, smooth and flowing your speaking is. To get a good grade here, any gaps in your speaking should be associated with searching for the right idea rather than hesitancy with finding the right word or structure. For the coherence part, the examiner looks at how easy you are to understand. Does your flow of ideas run smoothly, logically and with consistency? Do you communicate well?

 Lexical Resource: This mark grades the range of words that you use in your speaking test and whether you use the words in the right way, at the right time and in the right place. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: This mark grades your range of grammatical structures, your accuracy at producing them and whether you use the right structure at the right time and in the right place. This is the area that worries the candidates the most as it is the dreaded grammar. Remember it is only 1 part out of 4. Pronunciation: This mark grades you on how clearly you speak English.