Best Free Ielts Course Podcasts (2024)

1
IELTS Reading: How tennis rackets have changed 🎾 22:29

10m ago22:29

22:29

This is a talk-through of a Passage 1 Academic Reading text about tennis rackets (Book 19 Test 1). It covers 2 sets of questions (True, False, Not Given and Gapfill Summary). Full lesson notes and video available on my website and Members Academy.

1
IELTS Writing: 9 tips for a Band 9 essay 30:24

3d ago30:24

30:24

1
IELTS GT Part 1: Passport Applications and Airport Services 🛂🛄 20:25

1M ago20:25

20:25

A quick look at TFNG and a less common type of Matching Headings. Get the full text here https://www.ieltsetc.com/2019/03/ielts-gt-reading-passports-and-airports/

1
68. Vocabulary | Easily confused words: beside and besides 1:31

2M ago1:31

1:31

Ever wondered about the difference between 'beside' and 'besides'? 📚 In our next episode, we're breaking down these two commonly confused words. We'll explore how 'beside' keeps things close and physical, while 'besides' opens up a world of additional information. Join me to clarify these distinctions and enhance your writing precision. Don't miss …

1
67. Vocabulary | Easily confused words: rise vs. raise 1:34

2M ago1:34

1:34

Confused about when to use 'rise' and 'raise'? 🌅 In this episode, we're tackling this common grammar dilemma. Discover the key differences between these two verbs, how to use them correctly, and the simple rules that will boost your confidence in writing and speaking. Join me for a clear and concise breakdown that will help your language skills soa…

1
66. Grammar and Vocabulary | 'At the end,' or 'in the end'? What's the difference? 3:17

2M ago3:17

3:17

Have you ever been puzzled by the subtle difference between 'at the end' and 'in the end'? 🤔 In this episode, we'll unravel the mystery behind these two seemingly similar phrases. Join me as we explore how a small preposition can completely change the meaning of a sentence: from pinpointing precise moments to summing up entire journeys. Tune in to …

1
65. Vocabulary | How to talk about losing a job: "being fired" vs. "being laid off" 2:40

2M ago2:40

2:40

Curious about the fine line between being 'fired' and 'laid off'? 🤔 Join me in this episode as we unravel the distinct difference between these two workplace terms. From the origins of the expression "being fired" to its emotional impact, let's dissect the nuances that shape the narratives of job loss...…

1
64. Vocabulary | How to say that you love someone 2:21

2M ago2:21

2:21

Ever wondered why a simple "Love you" can feel different from a heartfelt "I love you"? 🤔 In this episode, we delve into the subtle yet profound distinctions between these two expressions of affection. Join me as we explore the nuances of language, emotion, and intimacy in understanding the power behind these words.…

1
63. Organisation | How to keep notes that inspire you 6:08

3M ago6:08

6:08

Are you tired of losing track of your inspiration? 📝 In our latest episode, I'm spilling the secrets to capturing creativity on the go! Say goodbye to scattered thoughts in old notebooks and hello to the future of note-taking. Join me as we explore the evolution from Moleskine musings to the digital age of apps designed to keep your inspiration at …

1
62. Motivation | How to write gratitude notes (by finding the right mindset) 6:13

3M ago6:13

6:13

Ever thought about leaving a little sparkle of gratitude for a stranger to stumble upon? 🌟 In our upcoming episode, we're diving into the art of writing gratitude notes and the unexpected joy they bring to both the writer and the recipient. Tune in, and we will explore how a simple act of kindness can light up someone's day in ways you never imagin…

1
61. Writing process | How to approach editing your personal texts? 6:11

3M ago6:11

6:11

Join me in our latest writing episode as we delve into the art of editing personal texts. Discover a powerful writing trick that can elevate your editing process to new heights: reading your draft attentively before you even begin editing. Uncover the three key benefits of this strategy and learn how it can transform your writing journey. Tune in a…

1
IELTS Reading: Crows and tools 🧰 34:17

5M ago34:17

34:17

Quick tips to help you with the Speaking Challenge followed by a Reading Passage 2 about the tool-making abilities of crows (and what we have in common with them). True/False/Not Given. Get the full reading here https://www.ieltsetc.com/2018/11/ielts-reading-two-wings-toolkit/

1
IELTS Reading: Stonehenge 35:40

7M ago35:40

35:40

This is my walkthrough of an Academic Passage 1 about Stonehenge.Keyword before you listen:‘Winter solstice’ - the shortest day of the year (December 21st)Meaning: to stand stillThe solstice (combining the Latin words sol for “sun” and ‘sistere’ for “stand still”) is the point where the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest point in the…

1
IELTS Listening 🌋: academic words you need for Part 3 30:54

8M ago30:54

30:54

This listening about a research project contains several examples of ‘academic’ language (language related to studying at university) that you need to understand Listening Part 3. It's about a volcanic eruption, and is adapted from a Cambridge Past Paper (Book 18). Get the full lesson notes and video in the Bronze Membership on my website ieltsetc.…

1
We’re back! And talking about UK university life! 38:39

8M ago38:39

38:39

Yes, after 76 days of silence, Nick and I are back to start a new season of My IELTS classroom! Today, we consider how much IELTS actually prepares you for university life in the UK. We will consider what skills you need to succeed in a degree course and how many are covered in the exam. More importantly, we’ll think about what “gaps” a student mig…

1
IELTS Listening: Elephant translocation 🐘 20:16

9M ago20:16

20:16

This Part 4 Listening is all about moving elephants. In the lesson you'll learn about: using word prompts to keep your place using intonation and sentence stress to identify answers using spelling patterns and plurals to get the right answers The full transcript is available in the Bronze Membership on my website. https://ieltsetc.com/2023/10/ielts…

1
IELTS Reading: Forest Management 🌳 20:28

10M ago20:28

20:28

This is a relatively easy Passage 2 from a Cambridge Past Paper, with 3 sets of questions [Matching Information, Categorising and Gapfill]. https://ieltsetc.com/2023/10/ielts-reading-forest-management/

1
Let's do a Cambridge IELTS 18 Reading Test! 52:43

11M ago52:43

52:43

Hey! Today Nick and I tackle a reading from the new Cambridge IELTS 18 book. We choose to passage 3 from Test 2, which is titled "An Ideal City". Why? Well, it's because it contains a rather unusual summary completion question. Usually summaries are given in a single paragraph, or divided into two shorter paragraphs. This summary, however, is divid…

1
Let's do the IELTS Cambridge 18 Test 4 listening test! 1:29:15

12M ago1:29:15

1:29:15

Hey! Today, Nick and I tackling the listening test from IELTS Cambridge 18 Test 4. This is the latest book of past test papers, so is a great chance for you to practice the most recent IELTS test format. Plus, Nick and I will analyse all of the questions and discuss which we think are "easy" and which are difficult. This is an interactive lesson, s…

1
IELTS Q&A Part 2 - more questions answered by two ex-examiners! 46:22

12M ago46:22

46:22

Hey. Last week Nick and I answered 6 of your questions about the IELTS exam. Today, we go though more of my mailbox to give you answers to enquiries such as how can you tell if a letter is semi-formal or informal when you should complain about speaking scores whether singular and plural nouns are important in the listening exam or not You can ask m…

1
IELTS Listening: Victor Hugo 25:34

12M ago25:34

25:34

This Listening Part 4 about a writer called Victor Hugo is taken from the new Practice Book 18. In the podcast you'll learn why this particular test is more difficult than usual how reference words give you the answer (if you can remember what they refer to) techniques for predicting and retaining information common gapfill answers and how they're …

1
IELTS Q&A - your questions answered by two ex-examiners! 37:29

12M ago37:29

37:29

Every week I get dozens of emails from our My IELTS Classroom students, podcast listeners, YouTube followers and Newsletter subscribers asking questions about the IELST exam. They range from questions are about exam procedures to questions about how the exam is marked or how the student can maximise their preparation. Today, I thought that I would …

1
Cambridge IELTS 18 essays analysed! 46:35

1y ago46:35

46:35

Yes! Finally, on our third attempt, Nick and I have managed to successfully record an episode analysing the essays in the new Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic book. We offer our ideas and insights into the new questions, including how we will organise each essay and what our position would be. Plus, we rate the difficulty level of each question. This is…

1
Get some coffee before you do this Reading test 🗽 23:36

1y ago23:36

23:36

This is a Passage 3 review about a book about The Birth and Growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers. Seriously, I don't expect anyone to listen to this for more than 5 minutes. If you've got the text in front of you, it might help, but not much. All I can do is give you strategy tips for this one because trying to explain the answers is painful. The only…

1
Why are so many students stuck at a 6.5 for IELTS writing? 1:14:53

1y ago1:14:53

1:14:53

Today, Nick and I discuss one of the most important IELTS questions - why are so many students stuck at a 6.5 for IELTS writing? Is it because there is a conspiracy to trick test-takers, or are there other less sinister reasons? You can find the full episode notes and a transcript of the conversation at http://podcast.myieltsclassroom.com/ This is …

1
New IELTS Band Descriptors for Writing in 2023? 47:41

1y ago47:41

47:41

Hey! A couple of weeks ago, we received an email from one of our listeners (thanks Adam!) asking if all the fuss happening on YouTube about the "NEW IELTS Band Descriptors" was true. My immediate reaction was "probably not", but when I did a deep dive, it turned out that it was! Yes, IELTS have finally released the examiner version of the band desc…

1
Unreal Conditionals in IELTS Listening! 40:25

1y ago40:25

40:25

Today, we continue our journey into the world of IELTS listening any how the exam writers try to confuse you by playing with opposites. This week, we move away from lexis and into the word of grammar. In particular, the 2nd and 3rd conditionals. Nick and I will explain exactly what the 2nd and 3rd conditional are, how they are formed, and how IELTS…

1
IELTS Reading: Urban farming 22:01

1y ago22:01

22:01

Farming and agriculture is my Number 1 Vocabulary topic for IELTS, and I noticed that most of the readings in this new Cambridge Practice Test Book (18) are related either to the environment (Week 1 of my vocab course) or to cities/architecture/buildings (Week 2 in my Vocabulary course - the Man-Made Environment). So make sure you re-read this text…

1
Opposites - the listening trick that IELTS loves not the least! 37:17

1y ago37:17

37:17

Hey! Nick and I have recorded many episodes about IELTS listening. Usually, we focus on one particular type of question and break down which listening skills it is testing, and how you should approach it best. Plus, for everyone type of question, there are two or three "tricks" that IELTS uses to try to force you to choose the wrong answer (althoug…

1
IELTS Reading: Stadiums 26:45

1y ago26:45

26:45

This is a pretty straighforward Academic Part 2 about Stadiums. In this podcast we'll go through 3 question types (Matching Statements, Gapfill Summary and Choosing from a list.) Get more in the Members Academy https://ieltsetc.com/courses.

1
Level up your lexis score with phrasal verbs! 40:35

1y ago40:35

40:35

Hey! Today, Nick and I continue our journey into idiomatic language by looking at phrasal verbs. We will explain what phrasal verbs are, how some are separable and some are inseparable, and demonstrate phrasal verbs in action in Speaking Part 1! Useful Links Join our next intensive speaking course: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking In…

1
Should you use idioms in your IELTS speaking test? 53:18

1y ago53:18

53:18

Hey! One of the criteria to score a 7.0 or higher in the IELTS speaking test is being able to show good use of "idiomatic language". But, what is idiomatic language, and when should you introduce it into your vocabulary. Join Nick and I today to discuss the path that most English language learners take when they are learning lexis when idioms shoul…

1
IELTS Reading: The development of the London underground railway 24:03

1y ago24:03

24:03

I guarantee that you can do this in under 10 minutes if you follow my system. Find the Reading online and do it yourself before you listen. Learn more about my IELTS Reading techniques with TWO courses in the Members Academy. ieltsetc.com/courses

1
Let's get motivated for IELTS in 2023! 53:19

1y ago53:19

53:19

Hey! It is the first podcast episode in May, which can only mean one thing - it is time to get motivated! Spring can be a great time of year to start new patterns of living and affect change in our lives. So, why not join Nick and I today as we go back and look at some of the motivational techniques that we have recommended in previous years to see…

1
The Ultimate Guide to IELTS Bar Charts 59:43

1y ago59:43

59:43

We have spoken in depth on the podcast about IELTS maps, and IELTS line graphs before, but today it is the turn of IELTS bar charts. I would say of all the possible charts that you could be given on your exam day, IELTS bar charts are the most versatile. Why? Well, not only can they be used to represent change or to show comparisons individually, b…

1
IELTS Listening Part 2: Matthews Island Holidays 28:28

1y ago28:28

28:28

Get the full blog with audio on my website: https://ieltsetc.com/2023/04/ielts-listening-tips-complete-guide/ In this lesson, I examine the MACRO and MICRO skills you need to get all of the answers right in this Section 2 IELTS Listening about a holiday company. For example: Background knowledge (what you already know about holiday companies, tour …

1
A technique for really difficult IELTS listening matching questions! 58:49

1y ago58:49

58:49

Hey! Way back in 2020, Nick and I discussed the basic techniques for completing IELTS listening matching questions. However, these are some of the most difficult question in the exam, especially in Part 3, and we have noticed that many students still struggle answering them even when they know the basic principles. That's why today, we want to shar…

1
Six real IELTS essay questions from 2023 analysed! 1:00:15

1+ y ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Join Nick and I today as we look at six essay questions that have recently appeared in the IELTS Academic and General Training exams. We will discuss our ideas for each topic, explain what our positions would be, and give each question a difficulty rating. You will get far more from this episode if you spend 2 or 3 minutes looking at each question …

1
📝 Which is the best (free) online IELTS writing checker? 23:13

1+ y ago23:13

23:13

There are many free online IELTS Writing checkers available, and they can be useful when you’re starting your IELTS preparation. Online writing checkers such as Grammarly can give you simple feedback on your grammar, vocabulary and linking words. There are more sophisticated versions available that claim they can assess your IELTS writing using the…

1
2 ex-examiners give IELTS Speaking Part 3 feedback! 49:17

1+ y ago49:17

49:17

Hey! 2 weeks ago Nick and I set you to the challenge of recording your answers to 5 very difficult Speaking Part 3 questions. Today, Nick and I listen to the recordings sent by our our listeners to give feedback. We will consider the quality of the students' ideas (and how they could be improved) the appropriacy of the vocabulary used in the respon…

1
IELTS Speaking Part 3 (Rerun) 56:48

1+ y ago56:48

56:48

Hey! We have a technical difficulty here at My IELTS Classroom - the wind is blowing a gale and it has knocked out Shelly's Wifi, so Nick and I couldn't record an episode this week. Therefore, we are re-running our original episode on Speaking Part 3. That way, you can listen to this episode and last week's episode and then take part in our free Sp…

1
How many IELTS Reading question types are there? (Tips on how to tackle different questions in the IELTS Reading test) 21:35

1+ y ago21:35

21:35

[Skip the 5-minute introduction if you want to just get to the question types!] Different websites have different ways of categorising IELTS Reading Question types. See my latest blog for all the details: https://ieltsetc.com/2023/03/how-many-ielts-reading-question-types/ In my online courses, I follow the official IELTS.org guidelines, and I have …

1
Reminder to send us your IELTS Speaking Part 3 recording! 1:40

1+ y ago1:40

1:40

Just a reminder that we are giving you the chance to record your own responses to five IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and send them to us for feedback on next week’s episode. Record your answers to the following questions on your phone or computer, and email them to us at hello@myieltsclassroom.com before March 12th to be on the show. Remember, yo…

1
Unlocking the Questions in IELTS Speaking Part 3 1:02:19

1+ y ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Take part in our competition to win a free One Month Subscription to all the My IELTS Classroom videos and live lessons, plus a free piece of marking by leaving a comment on one of our YouTube videos that includes the word "podcast" here Then join Nick and I as we first discuss the basics of IELTS Speaking Part 3 and some simple strategies to help …

1
How to develop the arguments in your IELTS essay! 45:42

1+ y ago45:42

45:42

Last year, Nick and I recorded two episodes about how to build paragraphs. They are among our most popular content and have been viewed over 20,000 times. However, even when students extend their ideas and try to justify their position, they can still end up with arguments that are vague and contain almost no topic-specific lexis. Today, Nick and I…

1
All IELTS Cambridge 17 Academic Report Questions analysed! 1:00:30

1+ y ago1:00:30

1:00:30

Hey! I have always loved teaching IELTS Academic Task 1. Many students are afraid of charts, but I have always found that if you teach test-takers some basic principles, then it is always possible to find the key features and organise the report well. However, this week, I was looking at the new IELTS Cambridge 17 Academic Report Questions and I ha…

1
How to prepare for IELTS in 10 days 34:48

1+ y ago34:48

34:48

The best thing about the IELTS Test is that you cannot fail it. The test simply takes a ‘snapshot’ of your current level of English. So if you’ve suddenly realised that you need to take the test in 10 days don’t panic too much. Consider it a ‘practice run’. 10 days is just enough time to familiarise yourself with the test requirements so you can gi…

1
Let's do the IELTS Cambridge 6 Test 3 listening test! 1:03:15

1+ y ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Hey! Today, Nick and I are travelling back in time to complete the IELTS Cambridge 6 Test 3 listening test, which was first published in 2007. Why? Well, it's not because we were younger and better looking then, but because we want to give you a chance to experience the older IELTS test format, which seems to be making a come back in exam rooms. Th…

1
Pronunciation for IELTS Listening - how to understand fast speech 26:24

1+ y ago26:24

26:24

There are 7 key features of fast speech and pronunciation that you need to develop a better understanding of in order to increase your Listening Score: Features of connected speech (dropping sounds, adding sounds, changing sounds, weak sounds and twin sounds). Word boundaries Homophones Sounds that are different or don’t exist in your language Acce…

1
Is the format of the IELTS exam changing in 2023? 45:25

1+ y ago45:25

45:25

Hey! Please do NOT panic! There are no major changes happening to the IELTS exam (that I am aware of) in 2023 - they are not adding a new section to the speaking exam, or changing the amount of time that you have for each section, or making the reading passages more difficult. However, some of our students have reported over the last few weeks that…

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