Whether you’re looking for an online Speaking partner to prepare for your IELTS test, or whether you just want to work by yourself, there is plenty of help available online.
Here are some of the useful links I’ve found. You can practise Speaking by yourself by
- recording yourself (more tips here)
- using a captions generator like Flipgrid which will let you know which sounds it didn’t pick up
- ‘shadowing’ – listening to Ted Talks for example, and trying to copy and mimick the speakers when you pause the video.
- Powerpoint Presenter Coach – this gives you feedback on your performance (see video below)
Join the Members Academy for my Speaking and Pronunciation Bootcamp, which is designed to improve your Speaking score in 28 days.
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If you’re a teacher and looking for a screen recorder I would strongly recommend VEED.
It’s very easy to use and lets you edit and add subtitles, graphics, audio waves for your podcasts and so much more.
Pronunciation sites and apps
Homophones and confusing words
Interactive Phonemic Chart (OUP English File Website)
My YouTube guide to getting started with the Phonemic Chart
Macmillan How to use the Phonemic Chart (YouTube)
Youglish – hear how things sound in natural speech and real contexts
Forvo – hear different accents pronouncing the word you need
British Council LearnEnglish Sounds Right
Pronunroid – a game to practise English phonetics
Say It: English Pronunciation – ‘Hear the Oxford model, see the soundwave, then record and compare your pronunciation’
50 commonly mispronounced words in English – a really useful list with models.
Peaksay – free app to practise pronunciation
Pronunciation expert Mark Hancock has an excellent set of pronunciation materials to practice different sounds.
ELSA – AI powered Speaking Coach app
Websites for IELTS Speaking
I thoroughly recommend Keith O’Hare’s IELTS Speaking Success website.
I would recommend TED-IELTS’s Facebook group to find reliable and trustworthy Speaking Partners
Find lots of cue cards and examples for each topic on IELTS Mentor
IELTS Buddy is another good place for cue cards.
British Council ESOL – everyday speaking practice
Scientific American A useful podcast with 1-minute IELTS-style articles
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