Welcome to IELTS Prep Fall 2014!

Class Goal  Improve your IELTS scores in all 4 areas

Class 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 Rottenberg   B.A. Creative Writing  M.A. Linguistics and Teaching ESL  Taught ESL at VT and GMU  20 years as professional writer and editor, continue to publish poetry  Visiting poet for Arlington Public Schools since 2007

Introductions  Your name  How many years have you studied English?  What are your Core and OCS class levels?  What do you want to do after your English studies?  What were your most recent IELTS scores?  What is the area you most want to improve?

Syllabus  Course Goals  Course Learning Outcomes  Course Expectations  Course Requirements  Course Textbook  Grading  Honor Code

IELTS Scores  9=expert user (native-like)  8=very good, only very occasional inaccuracies  7=good, operational command, occasional inaccuracies and misunderstandings  6=competent, generally effective, some inaccuracies and misunderstandings  5=modest, partial command, likely to make many mistakes  4=limited to familiar, simple situations, frequent problems in understanding and expression

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

Best Ways to Boost Scores  Do all the work for this class!  Do your regular Core and OCS classwork!  Do NOT make the mistake of blowing off regular classwork to study for the IELTS!!!!!

IELTS Overview: Listening  40 minutes  40 questions in 4 sections  30-minute recording played ONCE  Multiple-choice, matching, choosing a graphic, fill-in-the-blanks, labeling, one-to-three word answers (SPELLING COUNTS)

IELTS Overview: Reading  60 minutes  40 questions for 3 reading passages  2,500-2,750 words total to be read, plus questions  Multiple-choice, matching, choosing a graphic, fill-in-the-blanks, labeling, one-to-three word answers (SPELLING COUNTS), completing a summary, locating information, T/F/NG, choosing headings

IELTS Overview: Writing  60 minutes  Two writing tasks  Task 1 is a description of a table, chart, or process (at least 150 words)  40%  Task 2 is an essay, usually discussing one or both sides of an issue or a problem-solution essay (at least 250 words  60%  Usually the worst score for most people  Spelling, grammar, and organization all count!

IELTS Overview: Speaking  minutes  3 parts  Part 1 is personal info and simple topics  Part 2 is a random specific topic, with one minute to think and two minutes to talk, maybe with follow-up questions  Part 3 is more general questions about Part 2 topic  Pronunciation counts!

How to Do Well in This Class  Come to class, on time and ready to work.  Pay attention in class, ask questions, and contribute to class discussions.  Do all your homework—yourself!  Work carefully on written assignments.  Spend time outside of class listening, reading, writing, and speaking in English EVERY DAY.

How to Do Poorly in This Class  Skip class or come late.  Check your phone and during class.  Do assignments at the last minute or not at all.  Blow off homework.  Goof around during class.  Communicate only in your native language outside class—expect class to do it all for you.

Remember…  You must get at least an 80% to pass this class!  You are “auditioning” for a recommendation starting on Day 1!

I shine the flashlight to guide your way, but only YOU can walk the path. My Model for Learning… No!Yes!

Homework  Buy textbook from the bookstore today: McGraw-Hill’s IELTS 5 Practice Tests McGraw-Hill’s IELTS 5 Practice Tests  Read syllabus in detail.  Read pp of the textbook (esp. pp ) and p. 17  Do p. 11, p. 18, p. 19, p. 20, p. 21, and pp for homework and bring to class on Wednesday (no class on Sept. 1)

I’m looking forward to a great semester!