Pursuing the journey to conquer IELTS with a passion for English, Xuân Phương faced many initial challenges that made her feel discouraged at times. However, by overcoming those obstacles and adopting the right study methods with strong determination, she achieved results far beyond her expectations. Let’s hear from this hardworking and adorable student of WISE English.
A Challenging Yet Rewarding IELTS Journey
“Hello, fellow students at WISE English! My name is Đặng Xuân Phương. In March 2019, I took the IELTS test and achieved an overall band score of 6.0 right after completing the Band 5.5 course at WISE.”
“I was first introduced to IELTS when I started 11th grade at another English center. That period was extremely tough for me. I used to be quite good at English in school, but it wasn’t until I studied IELTS that I realized my many weaknesses. No matter how hard I tried, I could barely get 10 correct answers in Listening and Reading.
As for Writing, I didn’t even know how to describe a graph properly or structure an essay. My sentences were clumsy, and my vocabulary was limited. Over time, I became frustrated and started to dislike English. At that point, achieving a 6.0 IELTS score seemed impossible.
Then, during the summer before 12th grade, with my mother’s help, I found WISE English – the place that changed my life.”
“When I took my placement test at WISE, I was extremely nervous, and my score was below 4.5. But as I started my lessons, I was introduced to new and effective learning methods. I was particularly impressed by WISE’s 6-step vocabulary learning technique and transcribing method, which helped me improve tremendously. Gradually, my love for English returned, and I dedicated about two hours daily to studying IELTS.”
How I Studied and Prepared for the IELTS Exam
First and foremost, vocabulary is key. Learning plenty of vocabulary is crucial for tackling all four skills, and I found WISE’s 6-step method incredibly effective.
1. Listening
“There are many ways to practice Listening. Personally, I listened to BBC’s 6-Minute English on YouTube every day. I transcribed the entire six-minute clip and checked my work using the provided transcript. Each video also teaches five new words related to a specific topic, making learning more engaging.
Additionally, I sometimes transcribed English songs by my favorite artists. I also paid close attention to singers’ pronunciation, which significantly improved my English pronunciation.
For variety, I watched The Ellen Show and Learn English With TV Series on YouTube—these channels made learning English much more enjoyable. As my test date approached, I practiced with Cambridge IELTS books 8 to 11. After checking my answers, I listened again multiple times to identify my mistakes.”
2. Reading & Writing
“For Reading and Writing, I focused on doing practice tests and expanding my vocabulary. These skills may feel tedious to practice, but they are essential.
For Writing, I paid close attention to word usage, verb tenses, and sentence structures. I also referred to model essays by teacher Simon, which were incredibly helpful. Most importantly, I practiced all types of Writing tasks instead of skipping any.”
3. Speaking
“I started practicing Speaking at a young age. Since 8th grade, I would talk to myself in front of a mirror or while doing household chores, imagining different topics to discuss.
Another helpful technique was mimicking actors’ speech patterns and pronunciation when watching American movies. This method significantly improved my speaking skills. And once again, vocabulary plays a crucial role in this skill as well!”
One more important tip: Pay close attention in class! Teachers share valuable test-taking strategies, so stay focused and complete all your assignments diligently.
Maintaining a Positive Mindset Before the IELTS Exam
“Three days before the test, don’t study too much—just relax! Feeling calm and refreshed will help you perform better.
The night before the exam, ensure you get at least 8 hours of sleep, as the test requires concentration for nearly three hours.
Before starting the test, take deep breaths to calm yourself, carefully listen to the examiner’s instructions, and most importantly, stay 100% focused on your answers. Apply everything you’ve learned in class, and I believe you will achieve your target score!”
“Being part of the WISE English family has been an incredible journey. I am so grateful for everything I’ve learned, and I plan to continue my studies with WISE to reach an even higher IELTS score.”
To all fellow students, I wish you success and hope you achieve your dream IELTS score!
Thank you, Xuân Phương, for sharing your honest experiences and valuable study tips. We wish you even greater success in your future IELTS goals! And remember, WISE English will always be here to support you on your journey!
Are you ready to level up your IELTS score? Join WISE English today and unlock your full potential!
