The Historical Background (i)

A long time ago, there was an approach to teaching known as ‘grammar-translation’. Now, keep in mind, this was a loooooonnnng time ago, in the days before modern language-learning. We are talking about the 1960s and 70s. Back then, people didn’t know much at all about how languages were learnt. They followed conventional thinking, and didn’t think much at all.

Grammar-translation was the teaching our parent would have received at school: chanting French sentences written on a blackboard, repeating phrases like robots as they read from French course books. The grammar was explained (in your own language) in detail. The conjugation of verbs was listed, and long columns of nouns had to be memorised, as did sentences and sets of situational speaking (‘Peter and Mary are meeting each other in the office’). There was constant translation, explanation, and the endless copying. It was as old, dusty, rigid, and inflexible as the picture above. It locked everyone down.

If your parents remember this experience, they remember it with distaste and a little fear. And they will admit that they didn’t learn much. They will also admit that what they did learn, they quickly forgot. However, it didn’t matter to anyone. In my country, it was just the high-school French or German class that everyone had to take. And forget.

Many teachers were happy with this, because it was easy to teach. They just followed pages from a textbook, and spoke in the students’ language. Day One, Pages 2 to 7. Day Two, Pages 8 to 12. The grammar-translation-memorisation method needed no effort, required no skill, and took no preparation. You didn’t need any special training whatsoever. A car mechanic could teach languages in this way. People just went through the motions, and it looked like ‘teaching’ to anyone who watched.

The next post will continue with this historical background.

Now, check that you know the meaning of the underlined vocabulary (also repeated below).

• to be conventional (adj)
• to chant (v)
• column (n)
• to be rigid (adj)
• mechanic (n)
• to go through the motions (v)

If you want to find out more about me, go to aisielts.com .

Introduction (ii)

In the previous post, I was saying how smarter people, those who do the research, will be more successful in life, and here, we are talking about YOUR FUTURE. And you are risking your future by going to bad schools and bad teachers.

So, in the next 39 posts I will outline, piece by piece, exactly what you need to know about the teaching situation here in Taiwan, and about the teaching of IELTS and English, about the signs which should make you worried, and what you should look out for.

You are advised to read each post VERY carefully, and think VERY carefully about the message, and the decisions you take about what teacher and what school you go to when preparing for IELTS.

Of course, it will also help your English reading skills, and improve your vocabulary, especially if you check the underlined words in your dictionary, as advised at the end of each post. To repeat, this is a long, thoughtful, and intelligent series of posts which can help you with your English development, and your life. You should take this seriously.

Here is the structure of the next 38 posts.

Posts 3 – 5               The Historical Background (of Teaching Language)

Posts 6 – 11             The Principles of Modern Language Teaching

Posts 12 – 15           Some Reflections on This

Posts 16 – 25           A Conversation of Someone who (Strongly) Disagrees

Posts 26                    Final Thoughts about This

Posts 27 – 30           Five Signs of a Fake Teacher

Posts 31 – 34           Six Signs Which Should Make You Worried

Posts 35 – 36           How to Use these Signs

Posts 37 – 38           Analysing a Fake Teacher

Posts 39 – 40           Conclusion and Final Thoughts

It all starts with the next post.

Make sure you read it. Your future may depend on it.

Introduction (i)

Well, I have just finished with over 30 posts on helping your IELTS Writing get to bandscore 7 (with 10 posts each on (1) concision, (2) logic, and (3) collocation) plus a few more. After all this, maybe I’ll get onto consumer advice, and what you need to know.

Yes, the situation regarding the teaching of language and IELTS preparation is very bad in this country, Taiwan, and you need to be a wiser consumer. When there are enough wise consumers, the tricks won’t work as much, will they?

This is actually an issue of crucial importance to you, and your future. You are paying lots of money, falling for lots of tricks, and an industry is thriving at your expense. If you care about your own future, you as consumers need to know a lot more about the nature of language teaching.

I’ve already written many posts in this blog to help you as a consumer. They are usually labelled ‘Tricks to Watch Out For’. Yes, the teaching market is full of tricks, and tricky people. Perhaps every aspects of modern life is full of tricks and tricky people, but if you are smart, you will do the research. Smarter people, those who do the research, will be more successful in life, and here, we talking about YOUR FUTURE.

In the next post, I’ll explain in detail what this coming series of posts (40 of them) will do for you.

Now, check that you know the meaning of the underlined vocabulary (also repeated below).

• concision (n)
• crucial (adj)
• to thrive (v)
• at sb.s expense (adv)

作者a89050a (a89050a)

看板IELTS

標題[心得] 雅思準備、考試心得

時間Sat Oct 28 23:21:30 2017

（代po）

一、背景：

學測英文滿級分 / 指考英文頂標 / 2012年多益855分

二、雅思一戰成績：L:7.5 R:9.0 W:6.5 S:7.5 OVERALL: 7.5

考試時間：2017/8/19

考試地點：高雄IDP

（考場位於高雄市博愛一路189號10樓，考場冷氣蠻強，建議怕冷的同學帶外套進去。聽力設備清楚，環境乾淨整潔，光線充足

，整體而言很符合標準的考場。speaking在一間小間房間，中年男考官口音不重，態度十分親切，給予不少肢體與簡單語言回

饋。）

三、前言：

許多人在我考後詢問我考試心得，從準備到考試的歷程大概可以分幾階段，而歷程因人而易，請小心服用。如果你要尋找的是

「技巧」跟「方法」，這篇心得文可能不太適合你；相反的，如果你要找的是「適合自己的學習方法」，以下你可以參考參考

。

第一階段：為什麼要考雅思？

個人：

當時為準備西班牙研究所來報名考試，但研究所並無嚴格要求英語成績，因此準備雅思考試完全是我想要精進自己。高中畢業

後，英語學習方式不再是以考試為導向，多半要自我學習，於是大學四年並無持續高強度的學習，也因此設定今年要再提升自

己的英文程度。

給考生的建議：正確的學習態度與學習策略精進的是你外語一輩子的能力

無論你是外在動機較強，或是像我一樣內在動機較強，單純想要提升自己的英文能力，都一定要很了解自己「為何而考」，一

來心裡有了建設，準備起來會更甘之如飴，且較容易嚐到學習的樂趣。

第二階段：開始尋找適合自己的準備方法

個人：

從去年暑假下定決心要出國留學，到找到國小代理的教職，到了今年年初才開始涉略前輩的心得與網路文章的分享，先從身邊

考過雅思的朋友開始詢問備考方法，爬板，研究前輩推薦的學習方式是否適用於自己。曾經諮詢過時代國際與CES，後來在二

月找到Andrew教室，決定試聽、報名、正式開始唸書。

我從小補習補到大，時代的大教室不是沒見識過，但我去了後就覺得不是我要的品質，聽對方講解上課方式後更覺得不適合一

邊工作一邊唸書的我，因為無法心無旁騖準備，我需要補習班能明確安排好進度，但記得時代好像是一個禮拜你只要上滿幾個

小時，無論哪一天都可以，於是淘汰。

再來淘汰CES是因為地點比較遠（我當時住在蘆洲），學費有點貴XD，但我喜歡他的教室與環境，玻璃採光設計很好，不會讓

你有窒息感。

最後勝出：Andrew雅思教室 HYPERLINK “http://www.aisielts.com/classes-om/” http://www.aisielts.com/classes-om/

要比較的話，CES的教室絕對比這裡優太多，這裏環境很像北車所有的補習班，但老師注重教室整潔，還算舒適。我會選這裡

其實除了考慮交通、金錢與上課時間外，值得一提的是視聽的當下老師就不吝嗇地直接與你討論或溝通，讓你感受賓至如歸，

前兩家的規模可能較大，諮詢者非授課者，那種感受完全不同，光是這一點就讓我覺得這家私人家教補習班很重視人與人直接

的互動，而外語正是拿來溝通與互動的，這就是我要的。

給考生的建議：知己知彼，百戰百勝

此階段我認為是「最重要的」，我現在已經假定你要「花錢補習了」，從經濟的觀點來看，每個投資都期盼見到開花結果，而

要去哪裡「補習」就會是要分析與比較的重點。但我的建議是在向外分析五花八門的廣告以及各家的心得文之前，考生不妨先

分析「自己」：

1.我的強 / 弱勢：本身的英語程度、需要補強的部分、可以精益求精的部分

2.我有多少資產（時間 / 金錢 / 精力）可以準備（例如：給自己三個月～半年）

3.我願意「花」多少時間 / 金錢 / 精力準備（例如：平日要上班，只能用假日讀書、除了補習時間，我有多少時間可以複習）

4.怎樣的上課方式是我喜歡且享受的（比如老師用ppt教學、電子白板、小班制可以和同學互動與切磋、小班教學可以練口說：

上課多一點練習讓老師可以糾正我、同學間交換資訊、組讀書會、老師上課的style、學習氣氛等等）

最後一點最重要，因為涵蓋的內容最多也最細，大家可以細細回想過去的學習經驗，多少可以幫助自己聚焦。

第三階段：念書歷程

過程中，我始終follow老師的學習策略與備考策略，奉老師的教材為聖經。

無論各種學習，「冥想」與「預測」我覺得都很有幫助，事先在心裡想像上課情節，與老師的對話，與同學的討論，不但可以

幫助自己提升自信，降低因未知而恐懼的心情，還可以讓技巧被運用得更熟練。自己唸書的過程也是，練習自我對話，把昨天

念的內容花兩三分鐘講給自己聽，或是為自己設定目標，安排絕對要給自己適當且合理的獎勵（我的獎勵就是吃哈哈）。

Listening

我都只有練習http://ieltsonlinetests.com/catalogue這個超超超超好用的模擬考網站，難怪聽力只有7.5。但真心推薦這個網站

。

Reading

平常練習我就會計時，雖然一開始會很挫折，但會漸入佳境。因為我相信有許多高人有一一解答不同題型的作答技巧，在此不

多說。只是我個人在閱讀作答時，腦海中很容易出現自我對話，會自己問自己題目在說什麼，題目的答案是什麼。尤其遇到T/F

/NG這類的題目，我一定會在文章中找出答案來驗證自己為何不是NG，為何答案是別的。因為閱讀的答案全都在文章裡，所以

絕對不要輕易被雅思騙過去！

Written Task 1 ＆Written Task 2

寫作的練習，我都是跟著Andrew老師，每週只練習一篇，task1 and

2交叉，改回來的作文我會歸納哪裏需要修正，但老實說，歸納是比較後期才開始逐漸有的概念，從前的英文作文因為沒有這種

訓練，很容易寫成冗長且論點不夠強的內容。我相信無論是哪位老師，他自己整理出來的作文架構系統，學生都必須內化成自

己的語言，如此一來才可以活用，否則換個題目還是一頭霧水。另外，我覺得研讀、模擬、參考好的文章很重要！！尤其對從

前沒有受過這種訓練的學生來說，不是抄襲，而是吸取作文架構，來畫出自己作文的骨幹，再填充內容。至於內容要寫什麼？

我自己的批判性思考也不是受到很好的訓練，曾經看過前輩推薦http://debate

wise.org/debates/categories/health/這個網站，可以練習「思考」。

Speaking

要對自己有信心，即便可能自己說的內容對方聽不懂，也還是要很有自信的回答下一個問題。但考生可能納悶自信哪裡來？平

常可以看著鏡子練習口說，一來可以看見自己說英語的容貌，容易調整也可以增加自信。

這點很重要：我的會話能力中上，需要加強的部分是去回答那些「從來不會想過的問題」，雅思的考題很多其實是我們生活日

常中，不會特別拿來意識中討論的主題，因此與其說我在練習口說技巧，倒不如說我在「腦海中」練習將非意識習慣的內容拿

來長篇大論。

第四階段：作答

Listening

第一篇是兩人對話，一個媽媽要幫小孩申請學校；再來是一人對白，radio廣告某地區的房地產；第三篇是兩人個大學生在討論p

roject；最後是一人介紹顏色對人類行為的影響。我覺得我遇到的題目口音不會太重，但第三篇實在太多拐來拐去，因為是討論

，所以很難馬上抓到答案。

Reading

第一篇在講酒桶的歷史，第二篇介紹某種針葉樹，第三篇在講澳洲人類與動物發展史。

我會先看大標題，接著仔細看第一段或是前兩段，大概抓住文章要講什麼，接著預測文章內容，這些都跟Andrew講的Tips一樣

，再來我就讀題，分析可能答案（名詞 /形容詞 /其他變化）。接著在閱讀過程中，記憶我要找的答案關鍵在哪。閱讀很愛考同

義詞，各位一定要成為同義詞尋找高手，這樣就能得高分，而如何成為同義詞尋找高手，就是單字實力與paragraphing的能力

。

Written Task 1－Table

依稀記得在比較四個國家的男女分別在全職工作與兼差的每週時數。

可能太緊張，寫了35分鐘，但是table其實蠻好寫的（當下驚險自己不是拿到diagram or map）。

Written Task 2－one side argument

依稀記得題目說有的傳統教育支持者覺得寫字很重要，但隨著科技變化，愈來愈多教育強調電腦的技能，你覺得學生應該學習

電腦技能嗎？（類似這樣）

拿到題目的當下覺得自己超級幸運，我不是教電腦，但至少也是老師，因此對我而言我很好發揮，因為這個場域我很熟悉也很

常反思。我利用Andrew老師的作文架構，讓我在25分鐘內寫完，寫到背面幾乎快全滿，但同學記得，多不見得是好事。雅思作

文很需要一針見血，一目了然。

Speaking

我遇到的題目都跟「教育」有關，我真的覺得我很幸運，因為本身是心理與教育體系出身，又從事相關工作，我整個講得很開

心。另外，考官的反應也會影響自己的表現，我的考官很親切且會不時用微笑、點頭、身體往後仰等肢體語言給我不同的回饋

，讓我忘記自己在考試，而是在跟一位「朋友」聊天。如果從心理學的角度來看，愈放鬆的環境會讓大腦更活躍，於是提升自

我表現喔！

結論：

做每件事前要想好為何而做，有了清楚的動機，再來找方法。方法百百種，可以先向內思考自己的需求與喜好，才不會浪費時

間、事倍功半。Andrew老師當然也不是神，但是是有系統教學且認真的老師，我很感謝自己願意投資自己，也很感謝自己找到

適合自己的方法。祝福各位考生！

—–

Sent from JPTT on my Samsung SM-A700YD.

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7: Answer to 8 of 8

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise (8 of 8). The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1. This can cause high concern.

This can cause great concern.

2. Parents must lose their free time to look after a baby.

Parents must sacrifice their free time to look after a baby.

3. The government should act a role in this.

The government should play a role in this.

4. Advertising stimulates people to buy goods.

Advertising encourages people to buy goods.

5. Cigarettes make health problems.

Cigarettes create/cause health problems.

By the way, go to aisielts.com to get more information and resources to help you get that IELTS 7. 

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (7 of 8)

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

1. Smokers need to refuse their addiction.
2. Teenagers have a greater chance to touch cigarettes.
3. Higher prices will force smokers to stop this habit.
4. If the government resorts to this strategy, …
5. Smoking affects people’s health.
6. Many teenagers smoke without consciousness of the risk.
7. I wish I can get back home as soon as possible.

Answers to Collocation 6 of 8

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1. Teenagers smoke because of curiosity.

Teenagers smoke out of curiosity.

2. Smoking brings fatal diseases.

Smoking causes fatal diseases.

3. He was under a bad situation.

He was in a bad situation.

You canbe under stress, too.

4. When smokers swallow the smoke, they …

When smokers inhale the smoke, they …

5. Cancer is highly caused by smoking.

Cancer is easily caused by smoking.

You could write, ‘Cancer is highly correlated to smoking’.

6. This was the lowest money.

This was the lowest amount (of money).

7. Cigarettes include nicotine.

Cigarettes contain nicotine.

By the way, go to aisielts.com to get more information and resources to help you get that IELTS 7. 

作者flyassassin (Charlie)

看板IELTS

標題

時間Thu Oct 26 15:20:12 2017

我參加Andrew老師的假日班。

Andrew 上課內容很有趣, 而且他投影片的內容很有邏輯，上課注意聽就很容易吸收。

老師會根據IELTS評分標準，解釋相關應考策略。而同學也會分享準備考試的相關資訊。

上完課一個月後考試。

L: 8.5, S: 6.5, R: 6.5, W: 6.5, O: 7

以下是個人的一些準備過程與AIS上課心得。

聽

1. 上課聽Andrew全程說英文，自然地訓練聽力。

2. 課堂與同學練習對話與討論研究主題時，也可以訓練聽力。

3. 平常聽 Podcast: BBC 6 minutes english, Economist, Scientific America 60 seconds science.

Britisch Council LearnEnglish series 1 and 2 (APP)

4. 用TEDICT APP 練習聽寫7個 Ted talks。

5. 考前練習劍11兩回，Andrew練習本兩回。

說

1. 課堂與同學們輪流搭配練習。

2. Andrew 會指定一些研究主題，兩周後於課堂上跟同學分享。

3. Andrew: Be honest，be interesting的觀念很有幫助。

4. Engoo 練習一個月。

5. 雅思哥

PS. 記得一開始是在書林書局看到Andrew 老師的speaking 課本，覺得寫的很好，後來才知到老師有開課。

讀

1. Andrew: 先看文章，再看題目，以及找關鍵字，可以加快閱讀速度。

2. 看 China Post, Guardian, 以及 World Economic Forum 的文章, 並順便準備寫作idea。

3. 考前練習劍11兩回，Andrew練習本兩回。

寫

1. Andrew: Idea 發想，文章架構，主要論點延申。

2. Andrew對於課堂上的作業都會很認真批改並且在課堂上詳細檢討。

老師會用提示的方式讓我們思考某一個段落的問題, 並連結到寫作課本的相關章節。

我犯下的錯誤在課本上都有很詳細的說明，並可參考數個相關的檢討範例。

3. Andrew’s blog (http://andrewloveielts.pixnet.net/blog)

4. 考前主要複習之前老師改的9篇寫作作業。

祝大家考試順利。

雅思一戰7.5

〔考場〕台大二活

〔成績〕L: 8.5, R:8, W: 6.5, S: 7.5, Overall 7.5

［備考背景］國立大學非外文系 二年級

多益860（高二）

學測英文15級

暑假去英國一個月

〔補習〕Andrew IELTS Studio 週日密集班

〔備考教材〕IELTS Practical Strategies

Cambridge IELTS 11, 12

〔準備方式〕

【聽力】 聽力就像Andrew說的，沒什麼技巧可言，完全就是發揮個人實力。雅思聽力考法很單純，

就是邊聽邊寫，不用像托福一樣做筆記。可以在唸大題指示時，先看完整個section，圈

關鍵字。聽力要進步，可以拿BBC來練習，裡面有各種不同聽力資源可以參考。

【閱讀】 Andrew的閱讀技巧真的很受用！一開始覺得先看文章，再看題目這個技巧很詭異，但後來

發現先讀文章才不會被題目干擾。我的做法是先看一眼題型，如果沒有段落細節題或是段

落主旨題，就是先看每篇的introduction，再看每一段的主題句，然後看題目，再根據題

目回去段落找答案。如果有段落細節題，就先看一下選項內容，再回去精讀文章，邊讀邊

找答案。主旨題則是放到最後再來寫，不然會花掉太多時間。另外，Andrew上課訓練的一

些小技巧，像是找標點符號、找大寫字母、數字等等，在人名配對題，還有表格填充題也

都非常重要！Andrew的閱讀課本裡面有很豐富的習題，題目比正式考難很多，但都是在訓

練各種技巧。所有題目都精心設計過，即便文章一堆生字，但只要掌握技巧，一樣有機會

全對。

【寫作】 Andrew最有名的就是寫作課了吧！老師的寫作邏輯真的非常強，從文章的架構，到各種題

型如何切入都有完整的教學。小作文老師最強調的就是tree view，也就是整體趨勢的部

分。各種小作題型的整體趨勢要如何寫，老師都會很詳細的分析。還有老師很強調change

over time的文法，整理的很詳細！大作文也會給我們腦力激盪的時間，針對各種議題討

論。老師的課還有一個很強的東西就是簡報！很能引導我們思考！老師會把很多易錯的部

分放上簡報，跟我們一起討論「為什麼錯？」，每次在修正作文前一定會重溫一下上次提

到的重點，還有我們犯錯的地方。老師改作文真的非常用心，會修正各種文法、單字，還

有寫作邏輯！老師本身是很資深的考官，所以也常常告訴我們雅思作文的禁忌。其中最大

的禁忌就是模板了吧！其實不只英文，中文作文套模板也是一眼就看得出來。套模板的文

章，怎麼讀都不自然。而且因為模板不是考生的產出物，只要被發現使用模板，一定重重

扣分。而且，如果只是要背模板，那何必花錢補習？作文要進步，沒有別的方法，真的就

是多練習。我在考前寫了二十幾篇作文（包括上課的九篇作業），而且寫完一定要徹底檢

討！如果沒有時間不允許，不能補習的話，老師的寫作書也把課堂的精華都收錄在裡面了

，老師的寫作書林熙老師也有在網誌上推薦過！真的很適合自修！不過課堂上會得到更完

整的訓練，時間許可的話還是上課比較好。

【口說】 老師的口說課會教很多口說技巧（不只是「雅思口說」技巧），像是發語詞、轉承詞等等

，也花了很多時間糾正我們的音調，讓我們講話可以更自然。課程中也會不斷的讓同學兩

兩練習，老師則會在旁邊記錄我們的錯誤。老師沒有很強調「應該怎麼作答」，而是鼓勵

大家「盡量說就好」。只要有講話，考官就能評分！我自己覺得口語最重要的就是流利度

，去英國的一個月，真的幫助我勇於開口很多。只要講得流利，自然會對英文有信心。一

直支支吾吾，考官聽得也很痛苦。但是思考的停頓是可以被允許的，母語人士講話時也要

思考啊！進考場前我也超緊張口說會考爆，但真的開始考試之後，發現「其實我就是在和

外師講話」，有什麼好緊張的？而且如果有講得不夠完整的，考官會繼續追問他想聽到的

內容，不用擔心沒話講。練口說的話，強力推薦雅思哥，考猜無敵準！

另外，寫作跟口說的評分標準真的很重要，一定要時時拿出來檢查自己的文章是不是有達

到要求。

祝福大家能早日跟雅思分手！

背景：

逢甲大學，多益660（三年前考的），學測11級分（均標）

目前正在準備申請國外大學，因此平常已經有接觸學校提供的雅思相關課程，無奈成績毫

無起色，考了三次都只有5.5。

準備時間：

由於我參加的這個學程有點特別，它要求學生在大三的時候就要出國，所以我在兩年前剛

進逢甲的時候就有慢慢開始接觸雅思了。縱使學校有提供雅思相關課程，當時的我根本無

心在這上面，想說還會有下一個明天，就有一天沒一天的讀。想當然的，我的下場很淒慘

，連續三次的5.5真的是很挫折，更讓我不願意面對這個現實。但幾個月前隨著暑假的到

來，我的大二生活也結束了，同學們一個個離開台灣，這時我才開始意識到要開始認真準

備了。

經過幾天的爬文，我預約了 Andrew的課試聽，並在試聽後決定報名，開始了為期一個月

每天跑北車補習的日子（聽說讀寫4科全報，因為每個都需要加強），然後在課程結束後

在準備一個月便去考試了。（其實師母本來是建議課後兩週就去考，但我死性不改還是不

讀書，拖到了最後一刻才去報名）

分數：

2016：overall 5.5

2016：overall 5.5

2017/4/8：L 6.5 R 5 W 5.5 S 5.5 O 5.5 (補習前)

————————————————————————-

2017/9/16：L7 R7 W6 S6 O6.5 （補習後）

我需要的是總分6.5，每一科不得低於6。但我閱讀不穩定（徘徊在6.5跟5之間），寫作很

爛（連用中文都 爛，爛得學測作文總共只拿19分，大概總分三分之一），口說會怯場（

第二部分）。4個項目裡面有三個不行所以想說乾脆全報好了，看可不可以順便把聽力再

衝高一點。

教材：( 都是Andrew上課的書)

IELTS writing task 1

IELTS writing task 2

IELTS reading

IELTS speaking

IELTS Test Practice Book（買了沒用到）

準備方法：（跟板上的高手們比起來這成績微不足道，讓各位見笑了）

聽力：

這個部分我也沒有特別準備（因為把時間都分配給作文了）

平常主要就是會看國家地理頻道跟discovery，挑有興趣的專題看然後加減學英文這樣。

（小小抱怨一下，最近的專題越來越無聊了）

再來早上看個mlb轉播，聽聽主播打嘴砲，順便學英文

週末就看電影，假藉著學英文的名義看，不然爸媽會念。但當然也是有認真在聽啦，認真

的聽每一句話，有聽不懂或聽不到的就轉回去聽懂為止。

閱讀：

之前有一陣子迷上了從國外網站訂原文書，很喜歡那種包裹寄到的感覺，但買了總不能不

看，所以無聊的時候就加減翻一下，養成了一點閱讀的速度。（但字彙量不足跟沒耐心是

硬傷，所以成績也沒有很高）

老師教的解題方法是：

先看大標題＋第一段（弄懂文章在講什麼）

看題目找關鍵字

回文章掃描關鍵字（不會的跳過）

我個人是覺得蠻有用的，比一開始什麼都不懂就直接開始掃描文章有效率。

口說：

我在上課的時候學到很重要的一點：要誠實

不用為了回答問題而去編一段謊話，或硬是說出一些連自己都不相信的論點

就真誠的表達自己，不知道或是沒意見的東西就老實說不知道就好。

像是在part1 大家可能會遇到what is your favorite color 這種大多數人很少考慮到的

問題。這時候我就老實的回答There is no particular favorite color, since the col

or is not an important issue for me. 反正這也沒有標準答案，只要有對到題意跟自

然就好。

至於part2 的部分，我學到的是在開始做筆記之前，不妨先多想幾個事件或是經驗，並從

中找出一個最好發揮的人後再開始筆記。

這部分的練習我是用一個叫小站雅思的app找題庫練習的。

寫作：

我覺得 Andrew跟我先前的老師最大的不同就是他沒有模板。

這也是我選擇他的原因，因為我想學的是英文寫作，而不是英文模板練習，畢竟國外的報

告應該也不是模板應付得了的。

這過程很痛苦，因為我的文法很差，字彙量不足，結構亂七八糟，邏輯方面有問題（會跳

來跳去），不管是小作文還是大作文，每次他改完都是滿滿的紅字QQ

但在這一個月的練習中，我從滿滿的紅字中學到如何去架構一篇文章

（他會在錯的地方標記頁數，再回書裡找正確的寫法就好）

我上次的寫作題目是map 跟 discussion

map我完全沒準備，因為聽說我考的前一週才出過

discussion我也稍微看一下而已，因為想說很少出

然後就都考了（人真的不要鐵齒）

如果是以前的我應該會直接放棄，因為沒有模板我就什麼都不會

但我硬著頭皮用腦中殘存的記憶把它寫完，反正有試有機會。

不過我是抱著下次應該不會再遇到的心情寫完它的

因為平常沒有練習所以時間不太夠

我的準備方法就是把他書中我需要的重點整理出來，抄在筆記本上。其中又以3點最讓我

映像深刻

1. 不要寫廢話：其實就是不要寫一些看起來很華麗蛋言不及義的句子，剛好我也不

擅長

寫那種東西。剛開始給他改作文的時候還是試圖寫出一些華麗的句子來增加長度和豐富度

，換來的94一整句被紅筆劃掉這樣。

2. forest view（小作文）：也就是一個綜觀全局的感覺，大概描述圖的變化或走

勢就好

了（但避免提到太多細節也還蠻難的），

3. 不一定要結論（大作文）：我第一次聽到的時候想說怎麼可能，但其實他的意思

是不

用為了結論特別獨立一段出來。因為時間可能會不夠還是什麼的。

總之我覺得Andrew的兩本寫作書非常值得入手，因為有關寫作的架構在書中都解釋的蠻清

楚的，而架構也是我個人認為很重要的一項技能，因為它不只能拿來應付雅思，以後出國

應該也用得上。再來就是書中有滿滿的例題可以練習，而且都超難（書後面有附他寫的範

文，但那語法跟架構的程度高到讓我心灰意冷覺得無力）。

所以我都用小站雅思找範本練習

心得：

其實這次考試，我本來是想試個水溫而已。因為真的無心唸書，想說半裸考(時間全壓在寫作跟口說)一次看會不會成績爛到痛定

思痛開始專心唸書，結果每科成績都有提升，尤其是閱讀，沒看還大幅度上升，然後聽力能再上去也蠻驚訝的，可能經過一個

月的密集上課，我的程度也或多或少有所提升了。

寫作的話我覺得其實老師的系統很好了，但我就是時間管理沒有做好，以至於考試的時候草草結束，沒時間檢查文法或拼字錯

誤(硬傷)。

口說的部分，我的弱點是第二大題

因為不善表達所以很難撐到兩分鐘

但這次透過跟班上同學一對一的練習

我開始了解到別人是如何思考的

並學習人家思考的方向

然後最重要的，不要急著一開始就做筆記

先選一個好發揮的主題再開始想要怎麼去延伸他，才有辦法講的久又自然。

好，大概就這樣。

抱歉我的文筆不太好，表達也不是很清晰，再請大家見諒。

祝各位早日與雅思分手！

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (6 of 8)

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

1. Teenagers smoke because of curiosity.
2. Smoking brings fatal diseases.
3. He was under a bad situation.
4. When smokers swallow the smoke, they …
5. Cancer is highly caused by smoking.
6. This was the lowest money.
7. Cigarettes include nicotine.

Answers to Collocation 5 of 8

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1. When criminals murder someone, the victims of this disaster suffer forever.

When criminals murder someone, the victims of this tragedy suffer forever.

2. Coeducation allows students to create relationships.

Coeducation allows students to form relationships.

3. Lactose intolerance can make diarrhea.

Lactose intolerance can cause diarrhea.

4. I hope this can answer all your problems.

I hope this can solve all your problems.

5. It is a medicine to kill insects.

It is a poison/pesticide/chemical to kill insects.

6. Academic courses own the highest price.

Academic courses have the highest price.

7. They cannot get rid of cigarettes easily.

They cannot resist cigarettes easily.

By the way, go to aisielts.com to get more information and resources to help you get that IELTS 7. 

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (5 of 8)

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

1. When criminals murder someone, the victims of this disaster suffer forever.
2. Coeducation allows students to create relationships.
3. Lactose intolerance can make diarrhea.
4. I hope this can answer all your problems.
5. It is a medicine to kill insects.
6. Academic courses own the highest price.
7. They cannot get rid of cigarettes easily.

Answers to Collocation 4 of 8

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1. Guns could cause a disaster.

Guns could cause a tragedy.

2. This can increase the opportunity of fighting.

This can increase the possibility of fighting.

[‘Opportunity’ is for positive things.]

3. This can contribute to some negative impacts.

This can cause negative impacts.

[Again, we ‘contribute’ to positive things.]

4. Living alone has more freedom.

Living alone gives/allows more freedom.

5. The government should promote the dangers of smoking.

The government should warn of the dangers of smoking.

[And again, we ‘promote’ positive things.]

6. Many people are serious smokers.

Many people are heavy smokers.

7. People are forced to smoke second-hand smoke.

People are forced to breathe second-hand smoke.

By the way, go to aisielts.com to get more information and resources to help you get that IELTS 7. 

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (4 of 8)

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

1. Guns could cause a disaster.
2. This can increase the opportunity of fighting.
3. This can contribute to some negative impacts.
4. Living alone has more freedom.
5. The government should promote the dangers of smoking.
6. Many people are serious smokers.
7. People are forced to smoke second-hand smoke.

Answers to Collocation 3 of 8

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1. Raising a child causes much money.

Raising a child costs much money.

2. Parents have the duty to look after their children.

Parents have the obligation to look after their children.

3. This can make the public under the theat.

This can make the public under the theat.

4. Building nuclear power is too dangerous.

Building nuclear power-station is too dangerous.

5. Nuclear power serves energy.

Nuclear power provides energy.

6. All workers must shoulder their duties.

All workers must perform/accept their duties.

[We ‘shoulder burdens’.]

7. Parents must shape models for their children.

Parents must be role-models for their children.

By the way, go to aisielts.com to get more information and resources to help you get that IELTS 7. 

Collocation 3 of 8

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

1. Raising a child causes much money.
2. Parents have the duty to look after their children.
3. This can make the public under the theat.
4. Building nuclear power is too dangerous.
5. Nuclear power serves energy.
6. All workers must shoulder their duties.
7. Parents must shape models for their children.

Answers to Collocation 2 of 8

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1. The climate has become unreasonable.

The climate has become unpredictable.

[Only people can be unreasonable.]

2. Most people reach for a better life.

Most people strive for a better life.

3. In a physical shop, customers can check the quality reaches their expectations.

In a physical shop, customers can check the quality meets their expectations.

4. Lack of interaction can cause emotional disease.

Lack of interaction can cause emotional problems.

[‘Mental’ can also collocate with ‘disease’.]

5. This helps them attend their destination more quickly.

This helps them reach their destination more quickly.

6. Their salary cannot support a high quality of life.

Their salary cannot pay for a high quality of life.

7. The medicine can help stop the swelling.

The medicine can help reduce the swelling.

By the way, go to aisielts.com to get more information and resources to help you get that IELTS 7. 

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (2 of 8)

Time to Practice

Here’s the first of the ‘collocation’ exercises. Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

1. The climate has become unreasonable.
2. Most people reach for a better life.
3. In a physical shop, customers can check the quality reaches their expectations.
4. Lack of interaction can cause emotional disease.
5. This helps them attend their destination more quickly.
6. Their salary cannot support a high quality of life.
7. The medicine can help stop the swelling.

By the way, go to aisielts.com to get more information and resources to help you get that IELTS 7. 

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (1 of 8): Introduction to Collocation

Okay everyone, it’s time (once again) to return to collocation. But let me begin by (re)introducing this concept. Let’s look at the public version of the IELTS Band Descriptors. These state that for your Writing Vocabulary Mark …

Band 7: Uses less common words with some awareness of style and collocation.

Band 8: Skillfully uses words but there may be occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation.

Notice the word, ‘collocation’. So, what does it mean? Collocation means putting together groups of words in accepted and stylish way. For example, in English, we don’t usually say …

big rain,

big damage,

big wind,

… as you do in Chinese. In English, it is much better to say …

heavy rain,

serious damage,

strong wind.

Looking at verbs, we don’t usually say …

make heavy rain,

make serious damage,

make strong wind.

It does depend on the situation, but it would be better to say …

create heavy rain,

inflict serious damage,

generate strong wind.

All the words must fit together well – they must ‘mesh’, just like the jigsaw piece in the picture at the top of this post. By the way, I have already presented some very useful material on collocation on my website. Click Teacher Andrew’s website: Good Collocation to see that.

Students mostly do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). Bad IELTS material encourages students to memorise wordy phrases that no native writer would ever produce, and which often don’t make sense (for example, one student wrote: ‘concluding theories representing the solution can be portrayed in detail’). The collocation is strange, and the word choice weird.

So, collocation is important, but it is not so easy – but it is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score. The exercises to help you with this will begin in the next post.

Answers to Concision 8 of 8 (Part Two)

Now let’s make the paragraph good!

So, after making all the changes to the original paragraph, we were left with just 17 words …

One reason for smoking among teenagers is the pressure from their peers, who think smoking is ‘cool’.

So, we have to write a paragraph, and make it good. So, it is time to add Specific Support [W2 book, p.113, 115, Tip 16! ‘Include Specific Support’.] Just think, ‘Why do teenagers act this way?’

Adolescence is a difficult time, of hormonal change and the transition towards adult responsibilities. With the certainties and security of childhood departing, people compensate by seeking affiliation with the group. Smoking easily offers this, proving irresistible to those lacking self assurance and willpower.

Find out the meaning of the vocabulary.

• adolescence (n)
• hormone (n)
• to affiliate (v)
• assurance (n)

Now, let’s put the whole paragraph together.

One reason for smoking among teenagers is the pressure from their peers, who think smoking is ‘cool’. Adolescence is a difficult time, of hormonal change and the transition towards adult responsibilities. With the certainties and security of childhood departing, people compensate by seeking affiliation with the group. Smoking easily offers this, proving irresistible to those lacking self assurance and willpower. [60 words]

The original paragraph was 80 words, but now it is 60, and it clearly makes its point at the beginning, and clearly supports it, without circular phrasing or repetition. Notice the topic sentence at the beginning, and the concluding sentence at the end. It’s a great paragraph! There is also nice collocation: ‘lacking’ + ‘self assurance’ and ‘proving’ + ‘irresistible’.

See my IELTS Writing Task Two Book, Tips 15 and 16, which try to instruct students to write paragraphs like this.

Yes, this is the key to IELTS 7, and that’s the end of the ‘Concision’ posts for now. Hmmm, I just mentioned the word ‘collocation’. Maybe I will look at this in the next set of posts.

By the way, go to aisielts.com to get more information and resources to help you get that IELTS 7.