How to Speak Like a Native English Speaker – IELTS Speaking Preparation

4th May 2018 • • Conversation, Idioms, IELTS, listening, Phrasal verbs, Phrases, Speaking, Vocabulary

In this video, you are going to hear a conversation between two native English speakers. It will help you to learn new vocabulary and phrasal verbs, such as: finish off, look forward to, take care of, look after, without a doubt etc.

For people preparing for IELTS, it is really helpful because a lot of the questions I ask are used in IELTS but also in normal everyday conversations. Listen to the way I ask Katy questions to keep the conversation going because a lot of examiners do the same. They want you to express yourself as confidently as possible.

The transcript is below with links and explanations of the phrasal verbs, vocabulary and phrases that we used in the conversation.

Happy learning!

Transcript:

Hello, this is Amy, from Study Online English, and you’re going to hear some more conversations with native English speakers.
This is my lovely friend, Katy.
This is Katy, who we bought the birthday present for.
Did you like your handbag, Katy?
Oh, I loved it.
Fantastic, and how was your day?
Did you have a busy day at work?
Busy day at work, finishing off the month, and just getting ready now for Easter holidays Finishing off the month means finishing all the things you need to do such as, the policies or accounts. To finish something off: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/finish-sth-off

And do you want to tell everybody what you do?
I’m an insurance agent, nothing too exciting, but hey. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/insurance-agent
Katy is one of the sportiest people I know. Katy, what are your hobbies? What have you been doing this week? Sportiest: A sporty person enjoys sports and is good at it. Sportiest is the superlative
Well, what have I been doing this week? I’ve been walking, cycling, and doing some obstacle training, as I quite enjoy Spartan races, obstacle races.
Can you explain what Spartan Race is?
Spartan Race is basically between eight and 10 kilometres and about twenty obstacles. Obstacle: an object that you have to go around or over : something that blocks your path
I wouldn’t be able to do that.
Oh, I’m sure you could. I’m certain you could
I wouldn’t mind doing a mini one, one day. One day I’ll come with you.
Exactly, why not?
So who introduced you to it?
Well, a friend of my sisters actually introduced me to it last year.
She said to me, “Why don’t you train for that?” and I was like,(my reaction) I wasn’t quite sure at the time, because I actually had a friend that did it a few years back(a few years ago) and I was like no, no, no, that’s definitely not for me, a bit too intense. And I did one race, and that was it, I was hooked.(addicted)
Do many girls do it? (Many for countable)
Quite a few actually. It’s getting really popular, believe it or not.
Do you think some people like to train toward something?
I think it’s important to have goals sometimes.
Have an objective.
When you’ve got your nine to five job, or you’re routine, I think it’s just nice, sometimes, to disconnect and give yourself something to look forward to.
Look forward to: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/look-forward-to-sth
Apart from the normal routine of things.
Apart from: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/apart?q=apart+from
Yeah, do you think a lot of people are quite sporty here, or do you think it’s a mixture?
Oh, definitely. No, I think around here, especially a lot. And I think in general now people are taking more care of their health, you know physically, people are looking after themselves more. Taking care: to pay attention. Look after: you do what is necessary to keep yourself/someone/something healthy and safe or in good condition.
– Eating healthier. I just think people are more aware (more conscious) of it now than they used to be. (they were before)
Yeah, it’s over what, (how much time) the last 10 years people have become…
I think so, definitely. – Yeah, because we live in Spain at the moment, but I’m leaving sadly.
We’re going to miss you lots.
I’m not going for long. I’m going to go to Ireland for a little bit, to Southern Ireland. And visit my family, and just spend some time there for a couple of months and see if I like it.
What do you think people like doing here in their spare time?
I think, round here especially, cycling is huge.(huge can for used as very popular) I mean, a lot of people cycle, a lot of people run as well. Things like that. A lot of outdoor activities more so, because the weather’s so good here.
Yeah, there’s a lot of people who come and train here…(train for cycling races)
Oh, they’re from all over Europe. Yeah, they come and train.
They’re cyclist aren’t they? Why do you think that is?
I think because of the great weather conditions, more than anything. And it’s prepared for that.
It’s got a lot of mountains as well, haven’t we?
We have, and that we have for training purposes.
Yeah, it’s a bit annoying sometimes though. (however)
Yes, I do agree with that, even though I like to cycle, hey.
Because there’s just so many of them.
How often do you see your friends, how often do you see everyone? (everyone is used when the person knows who you are talking about)
Oh, I definitely see my friends a few times during the week.(few: more than two)
What, for the odd coffee? Odd: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/odd
For a coffee, when I’ve got a bit of free time. Coffee, maybe a walk after work, and things like that.
Yeah, and how often do you go back to the UK?
To be honest, not very often.
Do you ever miss the UK?
Not that much, I miss my family and friends that I’ve got there, but the quality of life, I love it here in Spain.
I must be crazy to go back.
I think she is. Are you not going to miss it here?
I am going to miss it, but I feel like a need a change.
But have you noticed that there’s more… it’s more cosmopolitan everywhere now?
I think so.
You notice there’s lots of different nationalities everywhere.
Definitely, without a doubt.
Without a doubt: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/doubt?q=without+%28a%29+doubt
So if you liked this video, please like. Or?
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Thank you!

What are your hobbies?

Understanding English

2nd November 2016 • Amy Ward • Conversation, Grammar, listening, Understanding English

Improve your listening skills

listening

Great ideas on how to improve your English listening skills

Languages never stay the same. Think about the place where you are from and the way people speak. Now think about a town or city a hundred kilometers in any direction. They probably speak in a different way to you. For any language learner it is important to learn and get used to the differences in: accent, speed, fluency, pronunciation, emotion and so on.

The best way you can achieve this in English is by exposing yourself to a variety of English accents through listening.

Listen to English as part of your everyday life whenever you can, when you are getting ready in the morning, cooking, cleaning, organizing your house or when you’re exercising.

You will be amazed how your English will improve because without realising you will learn new vocabulary and grammar.

Here’s what can help you!

Listen to an English radio station.
Watch your favourite TV series or movie in English with subtitles in your own language at first. When you feel more confident watch it only in English with English subtitles.
Get an Audiobook of one of your favourite books that you have already read and listen to it when you can. http://www.audible.com/
When there is a language exchange event in your area try and talk to as many native English speakers as you can.
Listen to podcasts this is a great site it has lots and lots of great topics to listen to: https://player.fm/en/featured/education or google a topic that you are really interested in, e.g. type science podcast etc.

To improve your grammar

Here is a link to a great site of animated videos of conversations that focus on different grammatical structures, such as reported speech, articles and modals. Each video comes with activities and transcripts.

http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-vocabulary/grammar-videos

For intermediate to advanced learners

This is a collection of short audio recordings, suitable for intermediate to advanced students, about issues connected with business and academic issues, from biotechnology, eBay and developing creativity. They are usually monologues

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/professionals-podcasts

One of the best places to find high quality listening material

Is through the British Council websites and podcasts. They offer a fantastic selection of audio and video materials, most of which contain lesson plans and tasks that you can do. http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/listen-and-watch

Enjoy!!!!

How do you say __________?

20th October 2016 • Amy Ward • Conversation, listening, Uncategorised, Understanding English

Sorry could you repeat that please?

When you have trouble understanding someone you can control the speed of the conversation.
It’s important to control the conversation, with nice English expressions that communicate to the other person that you don’t understand something and you need a little help and a little patience.
Listen to examples in this video!

Laugh at your mistakes, smile when you say something correctly.
When you are happy and relaxed you will speak better English!
Don’t worry if it goes badly.
Some conversations will go badly it doesn’t matter. Think about it, conversations sometimes go badly when you’re talking in your own language too! Smile take a break. Start again later.
Most importantly smile and have fun!