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I am very proud of Sana.
She failed to get the scores she needed the first time but kept going and managed to get an amazing Band 8.5 overall.
She was kind enough to share her experience with you all in this video.
TRANSCRIPT OF THE VIDEO
Chris:
Okay. So, this is a very special video that we’re going to make today. One of the most successful students that I’ve had, Sanna. I posted her results last week. She got 8.5 overall. And, we got a huge response from people who wanted to get more information about her, wanted for me to share her story a little bit more. So, we’re going to do a video with her today, and she’s going to help you guys with some advice on how… Maybe not get 8.5, but it will help you reach your goals. And so, Sanna, can you, first of all, just introduce yourself to people and give a little bit of background information about yourself.
Sana:
Yeah, of course. Well, my name is Sanna and I’m a medical student. I recently graduated. I finished my medical school and, in order to sit my medical exams, I was supposed to do the IELTS exam, because my primary medical qualification is not from the UK, so I was supposed to sit, and that’s why.
Chris:
Excellent. Can you tell people just a brief story about your IELTS journey. So, people know that you got an 8.5 overall, but how many times did you do the test? Some things like that.
Sana:
Yeah, well, this one was my second attempt. I did the last one in July. And then, what happened was, I didn’t get the scores that I needed. I, basically, needed 7.5 in each of the sections and also overall, but the part that I really struggled with was writing part. And, that’s why I came to you for help.
Chris:
Excellent. So, what we’re going to do is something slightly different today. On my page, I told people that I was interviewing you, and did they have any questions for you? So, I have the five most popular questions. And so, we’re going to do that first. So, the first question was a really, really important question, I think. How did you identify your weaknesses?
Sana:
Well, I think if it’s just natural. I just, whenever I’m doing something, I just know. Because, my whole purpose is to improve myself in whatever I’m doing. So, this was no different anyway. So, what happened was, I exactly knew, and after the school, especially, I knew that the writing part was the one that I was struggling with. And, in the listening, for example, I knew that I’m going to get a 7.5. The last time I got, that was the score. And, I missed six of the questions and that was everything to do with the map. So, obviously, I knew that map was the area. In the reading… Well, I was confident. Last time I got an eight. So, I was okay with that. And then, speaking game, I knew that 7.5, it wasn’t really reflective of my true ability, because I got really nervous in the exam, and I just messed it up. So… And, in the writing, I obviously knew, because of this score that I got, that I’m not up to the mark, because I got a 6.5 and I needed a 7.5. So, I just knew everything exactly where I’m falling short.
Chris:
So, because you were my student, I was able to help you identify your weaknesses in writing. But, maybe for a student who either doesn’t have access to a teacher, or doesn’t have the money for a teacher, or just lives somewhere without any IELTS schools, or something like that. How could they identify their mistakes in writing?
Sana:
I think this question is very subjective, because it really differs from person to person. Every person has a different way of identifying their weak areas. But, the best thing they can do is, obviously, regarding the IELTS, they can just practice. Practice with official material. That really helps, because when you do that, obviously you will know which areas you’re falling short of. And, if you have sat the IELTS exam before, once, twice, thrice, you definitely know, because the scores are reflective of your ability. So, obviously, I knew in the listening part, for example, I knew that the maps was the thing that I was really struggling with, because when it came in the exam, I got all six of them wrong. So, if you subtract six from 40, obviously, it’s 34 and it’s the 7.5. So, you just know, because you practice and you practice a lot.
Chris:
And then, the next question was just, how do you boost your general level of English? Because, one big misconception is you can just learn lots of IELTS skills and tick tricks and tips and things like that. But, at the end of the day, IELTS is an English exam. So, to get 8.5, you need a certain level of English. How did you get to such a high level of English?
Sana:
Okay. I’m going to be very honest here, because I know that there are many people watching this. But, I totally understood that it’s just not about the IELTS techniques. And, it’s just not about IELTS. It’s an exam of your general level of English. So, I read every day. I don’t like reading. All I love reading books, is medical books. I’m, generally, not into reading. Definitely not. But, for the purpose of the IELTS exam, obviously I had to, because I knew I had to. So, I was reading every day. Every day I’ll read some article and I’ll just read online, because I’m always on the net anyway. So, I was reading every day. Then, I will note down the words. But, I followed your 100% rule. I didn’t memorize a list of the words, for sure. So, I made a copy. I still have it, actually. So, I was writing down the words. Then, I was writing the antonyms, synonyms, the collocations. That was really important. I used an online dictionary for that and it was really helpful.
Sana:
So, by the end of everything, I had huge a book with a lot of vocabulary that I could use in the exam. And also, secondly, I think it’s something to do with my school as well, because I have been taught in English all my life. And, the school that I studied in, in the country where I was born in… I studies in a school called Convent of Jesus and Mary, and there, teachers… We were taught by nuns and other teachers, and they used to come from the UK and the Spain and everything. And, we were fined if we spoke in the national language and not in English. So, yes, it was always stressed. And, I am very grateful for that. It really helped me.
Chris:
So, I think for anybody wanting… Just do what you did, surround yourself with English, which could mean reading every day or listening every day, speaking to people, just do whatever you can in English.
Sana:
And, I listened to as… Not as well, actually, to be honest, because I love watching documentaries, regarding human trafficking and prostitution and stuff like that. I’m just interested in those topics, things that affect, socially, everybody. So, I would watch a lot of documentaries. I love documentaries.
Chris:
So, choose something that you’re interested in. It doesn’t have to be [crosstalk 00:07:20] an academic book.
Sana:
No, of course. If I was choosing an academic take, I would definitely choose something related to medicine only. But, I’m also interested in all these kinds of things. So, I chose documentaries for it.
Chris:
I mean, you could watch cartoons in English. That’s maybe an extreme example, but the point I’m making is, do whatever you enjoy in English and that’s going to help you.
Sana:
Basically, just surround yourself with English. Read, listen, write, do everything you can. That’s the only way.
Chris:
Okay. So, the next question was… This is a really popular question, but I don’t think that the answer is going to help a huge number of people, because it is so subjective, but how much time did it take you to get to that score?
Sana:
Okay. As you already said, it’s very subjective, so it differs. But, for me, it took around a month. Yes, exactly a month, actually. Not even a month, because it was exactly 28 days.
Chris:
But, for everybody else, it might take… It could take some people a week. It could take some people six months. It could take some people a year.
Sana:
Definitely, because thing is, as I already said, my general level of English wasn’t bad. I mean, last time I got, in the other parts, if you take out the writing part, excluding that one, I got 7.5 and eights, which is, obviously, much higher level of English. But, still, you need to improve. You can’t just stay static, and just think that everything is going to be fine. Because, what people do, I think, is they keep on repeating the test thinking, “Okay, I didn’t do well this time. Maybe next time the paper is going to be easier,” or something. It’s not going to change. If you don’t put in the effort, there’s also going to be the same. So, the choice is yours.
Chris:
Excellent advice. All right. So, the next question: How do you write the perfect essay?
Sana:
Sorry. Actually, I’m laughing because there is no perfect essay. Anyways, but the point is, for me, I just follow the structure that you gave. But, I won’t lie, because not completely, because I was still running out of time. So, in the introduction, I thought, “No, I’m running out of time. What do I do?” I had to make a choice. Either I write the perfect introduction, or I just spend more time on the supporting paragraphs. So, instead of doing that, I chose to spend more time on the supporting paragraphs and it actually worked.
Sana:
But, I think the structures that you give are really helpful, because then you don’t have to go into the exam and think, “Okay, what do I write next? Okay, what’s going to be the next thing that I have to focus?”
Sana:
And also, I’m going to say, plan. Planning is very important. I know it’s a crucial step that many students just skip, because they think, “Okay, we have just got 40 minutes, and we’ve to do everything in these 40 minutes,” but that’s the wrong approach. So, as you always say in your course as well, planning is crucial, not just for IELTS, for everything in life, to be honest.
Chris:
It’s no coincidence that every single student that I’ve interviewed like this, they all say planning was crucial to them.
Sana:
Yeah, it is the crucial part.
Chris:
But, I think the main point in reaction to that question is, there is no such thing as a perfect [crosstalk 00:10:52] essay. A lot of people are jumping from website to website, from to IELTS book to IELTS book, trying to find the perfect structure or anything. It doesn’t [crosstalk 00:11:02] exist. There’s no teacher that [crosstalk 00:11:04]
Sana:
…doesn’t exist. Of course. Yeah, you are right.
Chris:
So, writing the best essay that you can, the most effective essay that you can, is what your goal should be. Not trying to find someone who will teach you the perfect essay, because it’s not a mathematics question.
Sana:
Well, it doesn’t exist. So, if some teacher is doing that, I think it’s just a bogus or something.
Chris:
So, the next question that people wanted to know from you… And I think you’ll have a good answer to this, because I spoke to you the day before the test and the day before your results, and you were very stressed out. So, how did you cope with stress?
Sana:
Well, I was very stressed, firstly, because it was a second attempt. Okay, now I don’t want to sound negative or something. I know there are many people who have done it 13 times, 14 times, and thumbs up to them. But, I think, for me, it was a setback for me, because I couldn’t believe that… I mean, I’ve studied English all my life and I’ve studied in the best schools and everything. And, how come I couldn’t clear it? But I think IELTS is a little bit different than other exams. You do need the professional help. And, sometimes what people do is, they think, “Oh, it’s just an English exam anyway. I’ll pass.” So, I think it’s really important to have the professional help that you can.
Sana:
And, with the stress part, it really depends, it differs from person to person. But, at the end of the day, I just stopped thinking about it. Because, I remembered word for word what I actually wrote in the exam, in the actual exam, so I remember emailing you as well with the whole essay and asking you, “Oh, can you please give me the feedback? Can you tell me how my ideas are, how I’ve presented, and everything?” And, I did the same in the group as well, in a private group. And then, some people were saying, “It’s really good.” Some were saying, “Oh, no, you could have done this, that.” It was just absolutely… I was, “Okay, I can’t take it.” So, I just deleted that post. Okay, in the exam…
Chris:
…with what other students tell you, because it’s normally not… Some of it is very, very good advice, but some of it is…
Sana:
Yeah. And so, you told me not to worry. So, after that, after hearing your advice, I acted on it and I just deleted the comment. But, what I did in the exam, I thought… Because I messed it up last time, because of getting nervous. I mean, obviously, the 7.5 was not my real mark. I was pretty sure on that. In the speaking part, I’m talking about. So, I thought, “That’s it.” I mean, what I’m getting, I would have been nervous anyway, just a 7.5. So, I thought, “Forget it. I’m not going to think about it. It’s not an exam.” So, I literally went in there, and I was talking to the examiner as if I’ve known him for 20 years, or something. I literally did that. I literally did that. And, that is the best advice I can give to anybody who’s not getting a score in the speaking part, for sure. Don’t be nervous. It’s not going to help. Just go there, remain calm and do your best. That’s all. And, talk to the examiner as if he’s your friend. That’s all.
Chris:
So, I said that you, what, 10 times, 20 times on the course, so that’s great that you did that. All right. So, those are all the questions that other students have. So, what I think we’ll do now is… We don’t have a lot of time, obviously, so we’ll go through each of the four skills. And, if you can give just some quick pieces of advice for… Let’s say someone, most of the students watching this, needs a seven or above. So, if you are hoping a seven or above in each of the skills, what would you do? So, listening. What would you say for listening?
Sana:
Best advice is focus. In the exam, just focus. Forget about the surroundings, everything. I was literally… I don’t know how to explain it, but be very focused, especially in the maps questions, because you have to use more than one senses at a time, like your hearing, listening, just moving from one point to the next. And, that was the part I was struggling with. So, focus is the number one advice I can give you. And, for the people who are not used to listen in English language, most of the time, maybe for them, I would say, listen to documentaries. There’s a lot of stuff on the net as well to help you with listening. But, if you are, obviously, already in the UK, you’re obviously surrounded with people who already speak in English. But, if you’re not, then try and speak in English, listen to English. I don’t know, watch movies and things like that, maybe.
Chris:
I think, when you say focus, I think that’s something that is a skill that needs to be developed [crosstalk 00:16:02]. I was talking to another student who got eight or nine in listening, and they said it was very similar to meditation. That you need to build up slowly, the skill, the focus that you need to do that. So, I mean, just saying focus is… Some people will be, “Well, how do I do that?” How you do that, is slowly building up your practice and through listening [crosstalk 00:16:27].
Sana:
I can add in a bit of advice as well, actually. I mean, I don’t recommend this, because this is very risky, but I did it and it worked for me, but maybe it’s… But I don’t recommend it. I just recommend to you, just think very carefully. But, if you can’t, If you just missed a point of something, let’s say… There are six parts to a question and, let’s say, you didn’t quite get the third part or something. Then, what you do is, you listen, and when you’ve listened, just quickly write the important bits. If it was a map question, that’s how I improved on the maps. That was the reason I got a 7.5 last time in the map, because I just couldn’t follow the conversation. I just lost focus. So, this time, what I did was, I just wrote the important bits, like, “opposite the road,” or, “on the north side,” or something like that. And, I just quickly wrote it. So, when you have a minute just to check your answers, instead of checking my answers, I just quickly read it and then wrote the correct option. That’s how I improved.
Chris:
Great. So, let’s look at reading now. what would be some advice that you’d give to someone for reading?
Sana:
Reading, reading. I think, it’s more to do with improving your vocabulary, first of all, because it’s just easier when you know the words already, and it’s not something new. Secondly, for the reading, of course, practice. Practice goes for every part, anyway. But, for reading, it’s very essential. Third, and very important, timing. Because, I said it in one of my thing, but I’ll say it here as well. Don’t divide your time equally between them, because it says you have 20 minutes for each passage. Don’t do that, because the difficulty level of each passage is different. Well, first one is the easiest and the third one is the most difficult. So, obviously, it makes sense to give more time to the third one, rather than the first one, because first two passages are easier, relatively. Then, you got to just get as many questions you can get, just get them correct in the first two, and the third one is just a bonus. So, this is my advice. That’s what I did.
Chris:
That’s great advice. And, did you do it in order? Did you [crosstalk 00:18:45] start with the first…
Sana:
Yes. Yes, I did it in order. I mean, you can do any part first. I mean, you can do the third passage first, but if you’re doing a difficult thing first, it’s just, maybe it’s not very helpful.
Chris:
I think it’s better to do it in order to get [crosstalk 00:19:00] the low hanging fruit first, because I seen a lot of advice from other people that says, “Do the hard part first,” but then, you’re going to spend lots of time and your brain is just going to be, “Oh my God, this is difficult.” And then, the easier questions become more difficult, because you’re mentally drained and you don’t have time, and things like that.
Sana:
Yeah. Probably, because you’re not going to get many of them correct, anyway, in the third one. So, you’re just [crosstalk 00:19:27] your confidence…
Chris:
The third part is really for people… A lot of the questions are to separate out the band seven, eight, and nine people. So, realistically, a lot of people who just need a seven or an eight are going to always get some questions in the last part wrong. So, that is really good advice.
Chris:
So, speaking. You’re obviously very good at speaking, but put yourself in the shoes of someone who just needs a seven or 7.5, or something like that. What would be your advice? You’ve already talked about, “Talk to the examiner like you would talk to a friend, and relax.” Anything else? Anything else that…
Sana:
For sure. Okay. Now, because I’ve been studying in Ukraine and, obviously, I didn’t know the Ukrainian language. And, the only way I learned it was to converse with people in that language. So, English is no different as well. It’s the language at the end of the day. So, if you want to learn it, be good at conversing. So, you should talk to more people and try to talk to people in English anyway. Because, what happens is, when English is not your first language, at home you don’t tend to speak in English.
Sana:
But, if I have to give an advice, it would be: A month before your exam, or if your level of English is really bad, then probably two months or something like that, just speak in English, don’t speak any other language. Speak in English and that’s the only way you can improve. And, it’s better to speak with somebody who has got a better level. I mean, because if you are speaking with somebody who’s at the same level as you, it’s not going to help, because they’re at the same level as you, and they can’t tell you the mistakes, or wherever you are… So, it’s better to do that.
Chris:
Mm-hmm (affirmative). Excellent. I mean, English speak mix. Speaking is a skill. You have to practice that skill. I don’t know how many students I’ve met who say that they want a band seven or a band eight, and then you say to them, “Well, how often do you speak it?” “Never.” It’s like, if [inaudible 00:21:33]. It is important to practice. Task two writing. What would be a quick piece of advice for that?
Sana:
Task two is the most difficult. Okay. Practice. Practice as much as you can, because that’s what I did. Every day, I will write three essays. Actually, I have to say, sometimes I would post the essays. And, even though you’re only allowed two, still Michael would sometimes just check it anyway. [inaudible 00:22:13] So, practice a lot. At least try to. Okay, I’m not saying… Because, most of the people work. I was not working, and I had just finished my medical school. So, it wasn’t a problem for me. But, at least write one piece of writing a day. It really helps. And, I mean, in the group, we have the chance to, with two essays, every week anyway. So, it’s more than enough for the people who are working. And, that’s the way you can improve.
Sana:
And, secondly, I think that’s very important. Once you have done the five writings with you… Once people have sent you the writings and they get feed back, it’s very important to read through the whole feedback. I know it’s quite long, but it’s really helpful. I mean, that’s what I used to do. I would read through the feedback and then, if I was struggling… Let’s say if I was struggling with a particular part… Let’s say I was struggling with the grammar bit… I was struggling with the grammar bit, to be honest. I was struggling with articles. I don’t know, when I speak naturally, I don’t think there should be an a, or an. I don’t think, it just comes naturally. But, while I was writing, I was struggling with it, according to the feedback you gave me, so I just went on the internet and I, literally, read through all the rules. And, after that, I practiced a lot and I improved.
Sana:
So, the whole point is, just, whatever your area is, your weak areas, know that area. And, you will know, because we get the feedback. It’s very detailed feedback that we get. So, after that, you need to just try and improve, and that’s the only way you can improve in anything. Just target get the weak areas. And, that’s what I did. That’s how I improved.
Chris:
Excellent. Last but not least, academic part one, or task one. What would you…
Sana:
That’s what I hate. But, anyways. Okay. I think everything we need is in the course anyway, that you give us, but if I have to give…
Chris:
For people who are not on my course, what would you suggest?
Sana:
Okay. I’m not supposed to say that, maybe, but, as I always say, writing and speaking are two parts in the IELTS exam, that you can’t do well without getting professional help. I mean, it’s not something that I’m just making up, it’s very true. Because, you can improve your reading and listening just because you’ve got the keys and everything, but speaking and writing are two parts that you can’t improve without professional help. That’s what I, personally, believe. And, for the people… I think, it’s better to get professional help. And, guys, I have to say this. I’m not being bribed. Chris told me not to say this, but I don’t know how else to answer this question. [crosstalk 00:25:06]
Chris:
Yeah. Before the video. I said, “Don’t use this as a marketing thing, and don’t just say [crosstalk 00:25:12]”
Sana:
I know it’s not a marketing one. I haven’t been bribed. I’m not related to Chris in any way. I’m just a student, but I really think that his help is really what you need.
Chris:
Yeah. So, I’ll just say, obviously, we can help you, but, if you are struggling with writing… I’m not saying join my course or anything, but do get someone to help you. So, for example, if you’re in an English school, find out who is the best IELTS teacher in that school, show them your work, get feedback on it, or find someone to help you with it. And, it is really, really going to help. Because, it’s a bit like if you, for example, if you had a problem with your car, would you try and fix it yourself, or would you take it to a professional and get them to identify the problem? So, that’s it. So, thank you very much, Sanna. I think we’re about [crosstalk 00:26:04] to run out of time. What are you going to do in the future with this result or what…
Sana:
Well, it was very, very important for me. I think one year is wasted, because I didn’t [inaudible 00:26:23] I didn’t know there was a deadline, actually. That was my mistake. But, I’m going to prepare for my medical exams. And, after that I’ll have a year, because one year is wasted, anyway. I know one year it’s going to go in preparation for exams, but after that… I think it’s valid for two years, so I should quickly prepare my medical exams before it runs out.
Chris:
That’s great, Sanna. Thank you very much for [crosstalk 00:26:47] sharing your advice with people. It’ll be really useful for a lot of [crosstalk 00:26:51] students, and best of luck in your future. Okay, Sanna.
Sana:
Thank you for being an amazing teacher. Thank you.
Chris:
You’re welcome.
Sana:
Thanks, Chris.
Chris:
Bye, bye.