Exams are often a major cause of stress for anyone. Taking one that could determine your entire future is grounds for a mental breakdown. The important thing to remember is that with proper preparation, you can significantly reduce anxiety and even boost your confidence level—which can help to improve your score as well. Taking the IELTS […]
Continue readingEvery so often, I like to share a case study. I like to do this because it shows you firsthand what it looks like to work with me and how I can help you achieve your goals, and it also highlights the success and victories of my extremely hardworking students! This case study illustrates a […]
Continue readingMany students I teach want at least band 7 in their test and although this is not easy, it is possible with the right level of English language and the right preparation. A few weeks ago I received a message from one of my students who had just taken the IELTS exam and got the score […]
Continue readingThis IELTS student was a doctor, Karam, who was from Syria. He had been living in the UK for some time and was very fluent in spoken English. He had spent some time at school in the UK so his English skills were quite polished.When I first met Karam he was about to take the […]
Continue readingThey come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and generally you get what you pay for. Free courses – these will generally be more of a ‘taster’. Quite a few teachers offer free help (especially during any lockdown when they are not working) which is good of them but once they return to their jobs […]
Continue readingA teacher friend of mine told me about a student of his who had just passed her IELTS. She was very happy as you can imagine and can now process her papers to move to Canada. However, although she finally got her score (7), it took her 6 years to get it! Six whole years and […]
Continue readingAt this point in your life you may be totally focused on just passing the IELTS that you will say, “Berni! How can I even think about thinking in English! It is too much!” But I wanted to tell you some of my experiences with learning a foreign language and give you something to aim for. […]
Continue readingI’ve just been planting bulbs in the garden with my husband. We do this every year in October and November. Last year we planted a lot, almost 2,000 – daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, iris – so many different varieties. We planned where they would go, we even tried to coordinate the colours, flowering time and their heights […]
Continue readingThe ‘noise’ I mean is social media noise. We’re all guilty of it – sending messages, commenting, sharing tips and advice – some good, some perhaps not. Just the sheer volume of ‘stuff’ out there is enough to give you a headache. And then, what do you do with it all and how does it […]
Continue readingI think sometimes when I speak to IELTS students, there seems to be a quest for a magic wand that will deliver the IELTS band that is required. This can be – the best books and materials – lots of Facebook comments asking for this – as if there is a book that will weave […]
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