Welcome Welcome to to

IELTS Prep IELTS Prep Fall 2014!Fall 2014!

Class GoalClass Goal

Improve your IELTS scores in all 4 Improve your IELTS scores in all 4 areasareas

Class Target AudienceClass Target Audience

High intermediate (Level 5) to Advanced (Level 7) English speakers

If you are below this level, this class will NOT be useful to you. (It will be too hard.)

Professor Lori RottenbergProfessor Lori Rottenberg

Email Email lrottenb@gmu.edu B.A. Creative WritingB.A. Creative Writing M.A. Linguistics and Teaching ESLM.A. Linguistics and Teaching ESL Taught ESL at VT and GMUTaught ESL at VT and GMU 20 years as professional writer and 20 years as professional writer and

editor, continue to publish poetryeditor, continue to publish poetry Visiting poet for Arlington Public Visiting poet for Arlington Public

Schools since 2007Schools since 2007

IntroductionsIntroductions

Your nameYour name How many years have you studied English?How many years have you studied English? What are your Core and OCS class levels?What are your Core and OCS class levels? What do you want to do after your English What do you want to do after your English

studies?studies? What were your most recent IELTS scores?What were your most recent IELTS scores? What is the area you most want to improve?What is the area you most want to improve?

SyllabusSyllabus

Course GoalsCourse Goals Course Learning OutcomesCourse Learning Outcomes Course ExpectationsCourse Expectations Course RequirementsCourse Requirements Course TextbookCourse Textbook GradingGrading Honor CodeHonor Code

IELTS ScoresIELTS Scores 9=expert user (native-like)9=expert user (native-like) 8=very good, only very occasional inaccuracies8=very good, only very occasional inaccuracies 7=good, operational command, occasional 7=good, operational command, occasional

inaccuracies and misunderstandingsinaccuracies and misunderstandings 6=competent, generally effective, some 6=competent, generally effective, some

inaccuracies and misunderstandingsinaccuracies and misunderstandings 5=modest, partial command, likely to make 5=modest, partial command, likely to make

many mistakesmany mistakes 4=limited to familiar, simple situations, 4=limited to familiar, simple situations,

frequent problems in understanding and frequent problems in understanding and expressionexpression

Hardest Part of IELTSHardest Part of IELTS

““A large amount of research has shown A large amount of research has shown that one criterion – vocabulary – is most that one criterion – vocabulary – is most difficult…difficult…The most common problem IELTS The most common problem IELTS candidates have is that their vocabulary is candidates have is that their vocabulary is limited.limited. It is boring, repetitive, childish, or It is boring, repetitive, childish, or inaccurate. Perhaps the tone of their inaccurate. Perhaps the tone of their language is also inappropriate. language is also inappropriate. Essentially Essentially this is due to their not ever reading much this is due to their not ever reading much in English.in English. Reading exposes you to Reading exposes you to vocabulary most quickly.” (Sorrenson, vocabulary most quickly.” (Sorrenson, 2012, p.8) 2012, p.8)

Best Ways to Boost ScoresBest Ways to Boost Scores

Do all the work for Do all the work for this class!this class!

Do your regular Core Do your regular Core and OCS classwork!and OCS classwork!

Do NOT make the Do NOT make the mistake of blowing mistake of blowing off regular classwork off regular classwork to study for the to study for the IELTS!!!!! IELTS!!!!!

IELTS Overview: ListeningIELTS Overview: Listening

40 minutes40 minutes 40 questions in 4 sections40 questions in 4 sections 30-minute recording played ONCE30-minute recording played ONCE Multiple-choice, matching, choosing a Multiple-choice, matching, choosing a

graphic, fill-in-the-blanks, labeling, one-to-graphic, fill-in-the-blanks, labeling, one-to-three word answers (SPELLING COUNTS) three word answers (SPELLING COUNTS)

IELTS Overview: ReadingIELTS Overview: Reading

60 minutes60 minutes 40 questions for 3 reading passages40 questions for 3 reading passages 2,500-2,750 words total to be read, plus 2,500-2,750 words total to be read, plus

questionsquestions Multiple-choice, matching, choosing a Multiple-choice, matching, choosing a

graphic, fill-in-the-blanks, labeling, one-to-graphic, fill-in-the-blanks, labeling, one-to-three word answers (SPELLING COUNTS), three word answers (SPELLING COUNTS), completing a summary, locating completing a summary, locating information, T/F/NG, choosing headings information, T/F/NG, choosing headings

IELTS Overview: WritingIELTS Overview: Writing

60 minutes60 minutes Two writing tasksTwo writing tasks Task 1 is a description of a table, chart, or Task 1 is a description of a table, chart, or

process (at least 150 words) process (at least 150 words) 40% 40% Task 2 is an essay, usually discussing one or Task 2 is an essay, usually discussing one or

both sides of an issue or a problem-solution both sides of an issue or a problem-solution essay (at least 250 words essay (at least 250 words 60% 60%

Usually the worst score for most peopleUsually the worst score for most people Spelling, grammar, and organization all Spelling, grammar, and organization all

count!count!

IELTS Overview: SpeakingIELTS Overview: Speaking

11-14 minutes11-14 minutes 3 parts3 parts Part 1 is personal info and simple topicsPart 1 is personal info and simple topics Part 2 is a random specific topic, with one Part 2 is a random specific topic, with one

minute to think and two minutes to talk, minute to think and two minutes to talk, maybe with follow-up questionsmaybe with follow-up questions

Part 3 is more general questions about Part 3 is more general questions about Part 2 topicPart 2 topic

Pronunciation counts!Pronunciation counts!

How to Do Well in This ClassHow to Do Well in This Class

Come to class, on time and ready to Come to class, on time and ready to work.work.

Pay attention in class, ask questions, Pay attention in class, ask questions, and contribute to class discussions.and contribute to class discussions.

Do all your homework—yourself!Do all your homework—yourself! Work carefully on written assignments.Work carefully on written assignments. Spend time outside of class listening, Spend time outside of class listening,

reading, writing, and speaking in English reading, writing, and speaking in English EVERY DAY.EVERY DAY.

How to Do Poorly in This How to Do Poorly in This ClassClass

Skip class or come late.Skip class or come late. Check your phone and email during Check your phone and email during

class.class. Do assignments at the last minute or Do assignments at the last minute or

not at all.not at all. Blow off homework.Blow off homework. Goof around during class.Goof around during class. Communicate only in your native Communicate only in your native

language outside class—expect class language outside class—expect class to do it all for you.to do it all for you.

Remember…Remember…

You must get at You must get at least an 80% to least an 80% to pass this class!pass this class!

You are You are “auditioning” for “auditioning” for a a recommendation recommendation starting on Day starting on Day 1!1!

I shine the flashlight to guide your I shine the flashlight to guide your way, but only YOU can walk the path.way, but only YOU can walk the path.

My Model for Learning…My Model for Learning…

No!No! Yes!Yes!

HomeworkHomework Buy textbook Buy textbook from the bookstore from the bookstore today: today:

McGraw-Hill’s IELTS 5 Practice TestsMcGraw-Hill’s IELTS 5 Practice Tests Read syllabus in detail.Read syllabus in detail. Read pp. 3-13 of the textbook (esp. pp. Read pp. 3-13 of the textbook (esp. pp.

12-13) and p. 1712-13) and p. 17 Do p. 11, p. 18, p. 19, p. 20, p. 21, and Do p. 11, p. 18, p. 19, p. 20, p. 21, and

pp. 236-237 for homework and bring to pp. 236-237 for homework and bring to class on Wednesday (no class on Sept. class on Wednesday (no class on Sept. 1)1)

I’m looking forward to a great I’m looking forward to a great semester!semester!