IELTS English Podcast - Speaking Topic: Education

Summary

In this IELTS Plus English podcast, the host discusses the importance of education, particularly in the context of preparing for the IELTS exam. The episode covers common questions related to studying, such as personal experiences with school, studying alone versus with friends, and favorite subjects. The host shares insights on how education has evolved, focusing on the shift towards programming and technology in Korea. He also explores the relevance of university degrees in today's world, emphasizing experience and online learning as alternatives. The episode concludes with a discussion of key English vocabulary related to education.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on education as a common IELTS topic, which is essential for preparation.
• 😀 Personal experience in education: Enjoyment in elementary and middle school, but struggled in later years until finding motivation in university.
• 😀 Preferring to study alone: The speaker highlights the importance of concentration and avoiding distractions when studying.
• 😀 Using a structured approach for IELTS Part 2 answers (past, present, opinion, future) is an effective strategy.
• 😀 Drama as the speaker's favorite subject: Enjoyed acting and performing, which helped relieve stress from more difficult subjects.
• 😀 Speaking in past tense for Part 2 responses is important to maintain grammatical consistency.
• 😀 The shift in educational focus in Korea over the past 10 years, with more emphasis on computer science and programming over traditional subjects.
• 😀 Opinion on university degrees: The speaker suggests that, depending on the country, experience and self-study may be more valuable than a degree.
• 😀 The importance of using key IELTS vocabulary, such as 'play truant' (to skip school) and 'distance learning' (studying online).
• 😀 The speaker offers a call-to-action for listeners to visit their website for free resources and join the community for support.
• 😀 Upcoming topic for the next podcast is the environment, encouraging continued learning.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the podcast?

The main topic discussed in the podcast is education, which is also a common topic in the IELTS test.

How does the speaker describe their experience of studying in school?

The speaker enjoyed studying in school, especially in elementary and middle school, but struggled as they got older. However, they found motivation in university and were able to study hard and enjoy it.

What is the speaker's preferred study environment?

The speaker prefers studying alone because it allows them to concentrate and avoid distractions. They don't mind noise as long as no one is talking to them directly.

What structure does the speaker use when answering IELTS Part 2 questions?

The speaker follows a structure that includes: 1) Introducing the topic, 2) Describing the past, 3) Describing the present, 4) Sharing personal opinion, and 5) Discussing the future.

Which subject did the speaker enjoy studying the most, and why?

The speaker enjoyed studying drama the most. They loved acting and performing in front of others, which gave them confidence and helped them relieve stress from more challenging subjects.

What is the speaker's opinion on the importance of a university degree?

The speaker believes that a university degree is not as important as it once was. They think that skills, experience, and online courses can be sufficient to succeed, and they don't notice a big difference between people who have a degree and those who don't.

How has education in Korea changed over the past 10 years according to the speaker?

Education in Korea has shifted towards more emphasis on computer science and programming. Parents are eager to start their children in programming at a young age, seeing it as the 'language of the future.'

What key terms related to education does the speaker mention?

The speaker mentions several key terms: 'play truant' (to skip school), 'distance learning' (studying online), 'fall behind' (not keeping up with classmates), and 'crammer' (an intensive study program to prepare for exams).

What is the role of drama in the speaker's life during school?

Drama played a significant role in the speaker's life, serving as a way to relieve stress from tougher subjects and helping them build relationships with classmates, particularly those of the opposite gender.

Why does the speaker encourage listeners to engage with the podcast on YouTube?

The speaker encourages listeners to like, subscribe, and comment on the podcast, as this helps support the channel and allows listeners to share their opinions on the topic discussed.