Blog de TIC en Lenguas Extranjeras

Los podcasts que te ayudan a mejorar tu inglés, por Ben Worthington.

Ben Worthington es el hombre que está detrás de IELTS podcast y que regularmente entrevista a diferentes profesores de inglés sobre cuestiones de interés para el aprendizaje de esta lengua y que al alumnado le pueden resultar útiles para progresar, mejorar y preparar una prueba como IELTS.

Como él mismo explica en su espacio, la idea surge tras un café y una charla con un profesor experimentado, tras la cual decide que grabar conversaciones de este tipo, convertirlas en un podcast y compartirlas en la red puede ser un buen modo de difundir conocimiento.

Hace unos días, Ben se puso en contacto conmigo para charlar sobre pautas que ayudasen a estudiantes de inglés de nivel B2 en adelante a acometer con mayor claridad la escritura de ensayos discursivos, y a raiz de esa conversación, hoy Ben comparte con nosotros su espacio, IELTS Podcast, y responde a algunas preguntas frecuentes sobre el mismo.

Reproduzco a continuación las respuestas que Ben, en inglés, me proporcionó a las siguientes preguntas frecuentes:

Frequent Answers and Questions about the IELTS Podcast.

What is the IELTS Exam? Why is it important?

Although not famous within Spain, IELTS is the most popular exam in the world, followed by the TOEFL, then the Cambridge exams.

What is the IELTSPodcast?

Serious help for students and teachers in the form of interviews with the best of the best English professionals! Recordings range from speaking experts, ex- IELTS examiners, experienced English teachers, writing experts ? anyone who can help you score high in the exam.

Why did you decide to do this?

Firstly teachers have a data bank of knowledge that traditionally has been difficult to disseminate; through the podcast everyone can learn faster and more effectively, even existing teachers ? I know I have.

Secondly too many students aren't able to find quality teachers so the podcast gives them access to some of the best teachers around.

I?m an English teacher, can the IELTSPodcast help me improve my students? score?

Yes! Without a doubt! It doesn't matter that the podcast is focused on IELTS, the skills are universal. Some interviewees are teachers who have 30 years experience, others are published authors who discuss foreign language acquisition, others talk about academic writing. Here are a few tips shared already:

-Why some students can write but not speak.

-How to get a BBC accent -for free!

-Strategies to score high in writing exams.

-How to write different styles of essays.

What is the most valuable tip you have learnt so far?

-To learn any language it is necessary to put at least 60% of your life in that language. Use the TV, books etc, make the jump.

-For effective study, students need a practice test first, then they should focus on their weak areas, rather than studying everything from day one.

-Some exam skills need to be assimilated in the students own native language before even attempted in English, for example: speed reading, essay writing, and presentation skills.

How much does it cost to listen to these interviews?

They are free! Information wants to be free! The podcasts are in iTunes and can be downloaded from the site.

Author Bio:

Ben Worthington is a freelance tutor and blog junkie. He is currently producing the IELTSPodcast.com where he picks the brains of IELTS experts. In his spare time, he enjoys urban gardening, boxing, football and the Valencian beaches!