Oxford IELTS at IELTS.Express

Find out the role that phrasal verbs play in the IELTS exam.

Phrasal Verbs – are they important in IELTS? A discussion about phrasal verbs and formal/informal/neutral register in the IELTS exam

Try these top five sites for extensive free materials and advice for your IELTS exam preparation.

My Top 5 IELTS Blogs & Websites The five best blogs and websites for free IELTS exam practice materials, resources, tips and strategies

Another important strategy for the IELTS Reading test.

My 4 step guide for matching statements to paragraphs in IELTS Reading How to approach the Paragraph Information Matching questions in the IELTS Reading exam

Three things you should do to alleviate your exam nerves in the 24 hours before your IELTS test.

Don’t stress before your IELTS exam – my 3 top tips There’s no two ways about it – exams are not a pleasant experience, regardless of how well-prepared for them you are or how confident you feel about your subject knowledge. Their very …

If, during the IELTS Reading test, you have to guess the meaning of any unknown words, there are a number of techniques to do this successfully.

Guessing the meaning of words successfully It is highly likely in the IELTS Reading test that you will come across words that you don’t know the meaning of in the texts. In many cases, it won’t be necessary to know the meaning in orde…

Never worry that you won't have enough to say in the Speaking exam. The answers are all within you! This week's post is on how to respond to the examiner's questions with interesting, detailed answers.

Developing your answers in the IELTS Speaking test The purpose of the IELTS speaking exam, often referred to as the ‘interview’, is for you to show the examiner the extent to which you can express yourself in English. So it stands to reason that if…

A look at the variety of English language learning content available free on BBC Learning English. Part 2.

Expand your English with BBC Learning – Courses Hopefully after last week’s post, you’ve had a chance to log on to the BBC Learning English website to check out all the fantastic language learning resources available there. If not, I highl…

A look at the variety of English language learning content available free on BBC Learning English. Part 1.

Expand your English with BBC Learning Have you come across the BBC Learning English site yet? If you haven’t, then you really must check it out. It’s the one-stop-shop for ALL your language learning needs! Clearly, budget and expertise…

Boost your English and study on-the-go with these 7 great apps.

Boost your English with these 7 apps Some time last year I wrote a blog post about using your mobile device to practise English and prepare for your exam. I haven’t written anything about technology since then so this week I thought w…

What's the link between reading and writing? How can this benefit you in your IELTS preparation? Read on to find out why you should read more....

Read more, write better! Ask any writer or author what you need to do to improve your writing and I guarantee they will say two things: Practise writing Read more Rather like Yin and Yang, reading and writing are inextrica…

Get a grip on negative emotions that are interfering with your study and your exam preparation. Read on to find out how some simple Mindfulness practices can benefit you in the lead-up to your exam.

Motivation through mindfulness Do you find it hard to get started with your study every day? Or maybe you find it difficult to stay focussed once you do? Do you get nervous before exams? Do you worry that your nerves will negati…

Finding it difficult to keep on track with your exam preparation? Change your mindset! Follow these 8 steps to rediscover your motivation. Start tonight!

From procrastination to motivation Procrastination is a form of resistance to doing what we need to, which leaves us feeling stressed and guilty. We procrastinate mostly about work tasks and studying for exams. The logical part of o…