IELTS Articles | IELTS Learning Tips

A Tale of Focus and Dedication

Every so often, I like to blog a case study. I like to do these blogs 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 […]

Expand Your Vocabulary

One of the fun things about learning any language is expanding the number of words with which you can express yourself! Each language has many, many words to choose from all with their own shades and nuances of meaning. Widening your vocabulary in every language that you speak is always a fantastic goal to have. […]

6 Tips to Tackling the Writing Section of IELTS

I have had many students over the years tell me that the writing portion of the IELTS is very intimidating. Well I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be! In fact, the writing section can be a section of the IELTS that you feel very confident in, and yes, even enjoy! […]

Alternative Ways to Improve Your English!

In a previous post, we looked at blogging, which is a great place to practise and improve writing skills, gain some confidence, and attract comments. These can be supportive and constructive, but they can also be very critical and even hurtful – this is the risk you take. There are, however, gentler and more modest ways […]

10 Ways to be a Terrific Language Student

I have spent decades teaching students English. Over the years, I have learned just as much from them as they have from me. One thing that has always fascinated me is how they approach the process of language learning. I was recently thinking of a group of students that I was privileged to work with […]

10 Easy Ways to Boost Your Spoken Language Skills

I’ve been thinking about some quick ways in which you can practise English as you go about your daily life. I realise that not everybody is in a position where they are surrounded by English every day. (Although, if you can swing it, an immersion programme is an excellent way to skyrocket your English progress, and […]

Are Some People Better at Learning Languages than Others?

I’m sure there is a lot of scientific and linguistic research about this topic and this is not a scholarly post. It is something I have thought about often in the years that I have been teaching and learning languages and I simply wanted to share my thoughts with you. I hope that they strike […]

Write a Blog – Improve Your English

It will soon be a New Year! This is a perfect time to pursue new projects and rekindle commitments to long held goals. Perhaps this year will be the year that you achieve the band you desire on the IELTS. Perhaps you have always secretly wanted to start a blog. Well I am here to […]

New Year, New Ultimate IELTS Workshop

Soon the calendar will roll over onto a New Year! This is a time of celebrating, reflecting on the year we are leaving behind, and, of course, setting new goals and resolutions for the year ahead. If your New Year includes a resolution to finally get the band you need in the IELTS and make […]

Thinking in English

At 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 […]