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Improving your IELTS speaking skills can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can gain confidence and achieve your target score faster. Start by practicing speaking English daily, focusing on common IELTS topics such as education, work, and travel. Recording yourself and listening back helps identify areas for improvement like pronunciation and fluency. Joining conversation clubs or engaging with native speakers provides real-time feedback and encourages natural speaking habits.<h3>Effective Practice Strategies</h3>Utilize timed speaking exercises to simulate the actual test environment, which helps manage anxiety and improves time management. Additionally, expand your vocabulary by learning synonyms and idiomatic expressions relevant to frequent IELTS themes. Remember that clarity and coherence are as important as accuracy, so structure your answers logically and connect ideas smoothly to impress examiners.

Mastering IELTS Speaking: Practical Tips to Boost Your Confidence

As global business environments evolve, so do the demands for effective communication skills. In 2024, there is a growing emphasis on digital communication proficiency within Business English courses. This trend reflects the increasing use of virtual meetings, emails, and collaborative online platforms in the workplace. Modern courses now integrate technology-driven learning tools, such as AI-based pronunciation tutors and interactive simulations, to enhance learner engagement and practical application.<h3>Adapting to Hybrid Work Models</h3>With many companies adopting hybrid work arrangements, Business English training is focusing more on cross-cultural communication and virtual teamwork skills. This shift encourages learners to develop not only language competence but also cultural awareness and adaptability, essential for successful international collaboration. Language learning providers are responding by customizing course content to prepare students and employees for these new professional challenges.

Emerging Trends in Business English Training for 2024

At Saigon English, we believe every learner’s journey is unique, which is why we customize our IELTS and Business English courses to meet individual goals and timelines. Our expert instructors conduct thorough assessments to identify strengths and areas for growth, allowing us to create targeted learning plans. We combine focused lessons with practical exercises that simulate real-life scenarios, making learning both relevant and effective.<h3>Our Commitment to Quality and Affordability</h3>Beyond personalized instruction, we prioritize accessibility by offering competitive pricing without compromising quality. Our supportive learning environment encourages continuous improvement and motivation. Regular progress reviews and feedback sessions ensure students stay on track, helping them achieve rapid and lasting improvements in English proficiency tailored to their academic or professional needs.

At Indian Cave State Park in Nebraska, there is a small village that has been restored, one building is an old-time schoolhouse – not much to look at from the outside but well-maintained inside.

Inside Saigon English: How We Tailor Courses for Rapid Improvement

At Saigon English, we provide the most specialized, high quality IELTS, IGCSE preparation and Business and General English courses in Ho Chi Minh City at a reasonable cost to inspire learning and performance for high-school students, graduates and adults. Our courses are specifically designed to help students rapidly improve their English skills to achieve their academic targets or to improve workplace and general communication skills.

Empowering students for a brighter future

Boost your confidence and fluency in everyday English through interactive speaking sessions with experienced instructors.

Conversational English Practice

Enhance your workplace communication skills with tailored lessons focusing on business vocabulary, presentations, and negotiations.

Business English Communication

Our IELTS group preparation courses are tailored to equip students with the skills and strategies needed to excel in all four sections of the exam. We use up-to-date coursebooks, continuous assessment, speaking practice and personal feedback to ensure rapid improvement. Small class sizes of 4-5 students. Courses are available from Foundation to Level 3.

IELTS Courses

IGCSE English preparation acts as the foundational stepping stone for the Cambridge proficiency tests (such as B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency) by developing the core skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Both frameworks map to the CEFR and test functional, real-world language application rather than rote grammar.

IGCSE Preparation

Our Business English classes are suitable for employees to gain confidence and fluency in everyday conversations at work, dealing with customers and suppliers. If necessary we can also focus on written communications, presentation skills and management training as required.

Business English

Our General English courses are designed for adults who want to become more confident and communicate more effectively in everyday situations. We focus on speaking practice, learning new vocabulary, improving grammar and pronunciation.

General English

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An Introduction from our Students

Mark is a highly-qualified Cambridge certified IELTS and Business English trainer with 24 years of experience in Asia helping students achieve their target scores and company employees improve their workplace communication. <a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/profile">(Link to profile)</a>

Mark Lamerton

Linh is also a managing partner, dealing with all customer enquiries, admin and scheduling. She is a Cambridge certified English teacher (TESOL).

Linh Huynh

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한국에서만 살았고, 영어를 진짜 못하는 40대 후반의 주부입니다. 저는 영어를 너무 못해서, 원어민 선생님께 수업을 듣는것이 가능할까하는 걱정으로 시작했습니다. 그러나 Mark선생님은 쉬운 단어로 이해하기 쉽게 설명해주셨고, 그는 정말 친절했습니다^^
약 5개월정도 수업을 듣고난 지금을 평가해보면, 아직 영어로 표현하는것은 서툴지만, 제 듣기 능력은 많이 향상되었다고 생각합니다.
제게 너무 쉽고 재미있게 가르쳐주신 Mark선생님께 진심으로 감사드리구요, 다른 선생님인 Linh의 친절과 미소에 깊은 감사를 드립니다.
누군가 영어를 배우고 싶어한다면 Mark선생님을 적극 추천합니다!!^^

I studied with Mark to prepare IELTS to be a Registered Nurse in the US and UK. Before him, i took other classes with other tutors but he is the best. After i finish my IELTS for the US, i contacted him again without any hesitation.
Do not waste your time and just follow what Mark provides and says you.

Highly recommended! My son and my daughter have been learning with Teacher Mark in his English center since early 2022, they have been improving with the professional and experienced teaching approach which teacher Mark applying/customizing as per their English proficient level. Besides that, teacher Mark is also willing to allocate his time to discuss with parents if needed to better support the kids' learning progress. Ms. Linh (class assistant) is also very helpful and supportive to connect parents and the center.

Mình học với thầy Mark một khoá 3 tháng trình của mình lên hẳn, không bị nói miên man và lắp bắp nữa. Cách suy nghĩ, liên kết các từ các câu để phản xạ cũng nhạy lên rất nhiều. Các bạn nên học nhé.

베트남에 와서 마크선생님과 영어수업을 했어요. 제 수준에 맞는 책을 직접 골라주시고 친절하게 수업을 진행해주셔서 즐겁게 영어를 배울 수 있었습니다. IELTS가 아닌 일반영어를 배웠는데 선생님이 여러방면에 경험이 많으셔서 편안한 분위기로 수업을 진행해 주시니 망설이지말고 한 번 도전해 보세요. :)

我是一名来自中国的大学生，在线上向Mr.Mark学习雅思，我考了8.0。他是我目前遇到过最好的雅思老师。Mark对雅思考试非常了解，有充分的资料和充足的经验。我主要向他学习口语和写作，他会非常细致且耐心地帮我修改，教我地道的英文表达。他非常敬业，我不仅能向他学习考试所需的英文技巧，也能学到很多英语文化方面的内容。

Our Managing Partner, Mark Lamerton, moved to Asia in 2001. He lived and worked in Japan and Thailand for 11 years before moving to Vietnam in 2011 to teach IELTS and specialist Business English courses. He graduated with honors from the University of Plymouth (in Devon, England) with a bachelor’s degree in business and finance. Regarding pedagogical qualifications, he has a TESOL certificate - an international certificate issued by Cambridge University on teaching English as a foreign language. He has more than 24 years of experience in teaching IELTS and Business English. He worked at several foreign language centers in Ho Chi Minh City, including VAS, Studylink and KTDC Group – before establishing his own business with Saigon English Training.In Bangkok, he worked in the human resources and training department for Technip Engineering - a world leading corporation in the fields of engineering, technology, project management and construction in the oil and gas industry. Here he trained more than 350 Thai engineers and support staff in Business English and management skills. He has also worked with some of the world’s leading companies, such as Cargill, Allen &amp; Overy, PTT, Tetra Pak and Sony Japan to help them develop more specialized English skills for the company's management and staff.Before moving to Asia, he spent many years working for the leading business transformation consultant Celerant Consulting (now Hitachi Consulting), managing projects in Europe and North America to help businesses improve their operational performance, staff training and development, production processes and financial results. He has experience working in many different industries such as Oil and Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Engineering, Construction, Insurance and Finance. His widespread knowledge is valuable to help students gain an understanding of the world of work beyond university.From working with businesses to the education industry, Mark has 35 years of experience in consulting and project management together with Business English, management skills &amp; IELTS training.

Mark's Profile

Business English Training

<a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/profile">Mark Lamerton</a> has more than 24 years of experience in teaching IELTS and Business English in Asia, including designing and delivering programs for both small, medium and large companies. These include Sony in Tokyo, Technip Engineering in Bangkok and Cargill in Ho Chi Minh City, across a range of industry sectors: electronics, media, oil and gas, engineering, law, packaging, food, hospitality and design.Before moving to Asia, he spent many years working for the leading business transformation consultant Celerant Consulting (now Hitachi Consulting), managing projects in Europe and North America to help businesses improve their operational performance, staff training and development, production processes and financial results.

IGCSE English preparation acts as the foundational stepping stone for the Cambridge proficiency tests (such as B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency) by developing the core skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Both frameworks map to the CEFR and test functional, real-world language application rather than rote grammar.Core Linked Areas Reading &amp; Analysis: IGCSE training emphasizes extracting information, summarising, and analysing implicit meanings. This directly builds the comprehension skills required to tackle complex academic and literary texts in Cambridge proficiency exams.Writing Formats: IGCSE directed writing and compositions (narrative, descriptive, persuasive) align with the rigorous essay, report, and review writing criteria found in higher-level Cambridge exams.Vocabulary &amp; Grammar: IGCSE requires precise vocabulary, sentence structure, and spelling. Mastery here seamlessly transitions into the advanced lexical resource (use of English) demanded by C1/C2 certificates.For example, many UK universities and global employers view strong IGCSE English grades as a reliable indicator of the foundational linguistic competence required to navigate higher-tier Cambridge exams or IELTS.On this course, students are able to study all four skills (in preparation for the Cambridge Proficiency Test) or just focus on improving their essay writing.

IGCSE English Preparation

It is generally not a good idea to use idioms in your IELTS speaking test, and yet I hear them everyday from students. Online IELTS websites and Facebook groups love to give tips about what to do to achieve a high band score, but it is usually misleading and inaccurate. The reason they do this is because it is much easier to memorise words and phrases than it is to actually help students with their English in order to improve fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.Idioms are fixed expressions that are typically used in a figurative sense. For example, in the sentence: "The government is using carrots and sticks to reduce carbon emissions, offering tax credits for solar power but heavy fines for pollution". There are obviously no real carrots and sticks involved. We can use this idiom to describe any event that involves more abstract rewards (the carrot) and threats (the stick).All languages are full of idioms, and native speakers use them spontaneously without even thinking about their figurative nature. Language learners generally find idioms hard to understand, and this is not surprising. For example, learners are often not sure what image the idiom is based on. If a native speaker proposes to show you the ropes and you are not familiar with this expression, you might not immediately understand that she is proposing to teach you how to do a certain job. It would help if you knew that the expression was originally used in the context of sailing, where an experienced sailor had to show a novice how to handle the ropes on a boat.When I hear students use idioms in the speaking test, they are nearly always out of context, or the words are in the wrong order or the student has not realised they need to change the tense of the main verb. As a result, this then becomes a "memorised phrase" in the language used by the examiner, and he or she has to ignore it, especially in part 2.Many idioms can be learned (especially if you have a good understanding of metaphor) but the time required to do so far outweighs the benefits of using a phrase which is often out of context or just plain wrong. You should instead invest your time and energy in learning topic-based vocabulary, collocations, phrasal verbs (which are idiomatic) and natural expressions.

Should Candidates use Idioms in the Speaking Test?

In the IELTS speaking test, 25% of your score is for pronunciation. It is based on clarity (speaking clearly), intonation (the rise and fall of your voice), speed, stress (the emphasis we place on syllables and words) and word linking and rhythm (the combination of all these things). Use someone who speaks well, and try to copy the way they pronounce words – hopefully this is your teacher. Become more aware of your mistakes and work on correcting them. You can do this by reading aloud and recording yourself.L1 TransferStudents’ difficulties in a foreign language are often due to the transfer of linguistic features from the mother tongue to the foreign language. This is called L1 transfer.Common Vietnamese difficultiesHere are the most common weaknesses related to pronunciation, and assessed by the examiner:Final consonant soundsa) I waited for you last night.*b) Trang plays the guitar very well.*c) Please forward those two emails to me.*d) My favorite color is black.*It should be noted that the mistakes in a, b, and c could also be caused by not understanding the grammar rules.Intonationa) Are you from Thailand? (rising)b) Where are you from? (falling)c) Wow! What a wonderful surprise! (to express an excited emotion)d) I’d like a cup of coffee, please. (to express politeness and/or friendliness)Consonant clustersa) weeks: /wi:ks/ CVCCb) months: /mʌnθs/ CVCCCc) twelfth: /twelfθ/ CCVCCCNote that all of these words are one syllable.Word stressa) toMORrowb) repeTItionc) REcord (n) or reCORD (v)English spelling and pronunciationa) Christmas should be pronounced with /k/ instead of /ʧ/.b) The /s/, in island, should be silent: it shouldn’t be pronounced like Iceland.Individual vowel and consonant soundsa) Making a distinction between vowels /i:/ and /I/, as in beat and bitb) The following consonant sounds may also be difficult: /θ/, /ð/, /ʧ/, /ʤ/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/.How to correct studentsI avoid correcting students during free speaking activities. This disrupts the flow of their fluency practice. I correct them afterwards and use a detailed set of notes which reflect the examiners band score descriptors.Also, remember you do not need to correct every single mistake, but rather what kind of mistake it is.

Pronunciation in the IELTS speaking test

The Reading paper is made up of three different texts, which progress in level of difficulty. There are a total of 40 questions. Candidates have one hour to complete the information, which includes the time needed to transfer answers to the answer sheet. There is no extra time for this. Each question is worth one mark.The texts are authentic and academic but written for a non-specialist audience. Candidates must use information that appears in the text to answer the questions. They cannot use outside knowledge if they know about the topic. The types of texts are similar to the texts that you may find in a newspaper or magazine, so it is important for students to get as much reading of these types of text as possible.The texts sometimes contain illustrations (diagrams). If a text contains technical terms a glossary will be provided.The different task types are shown in the comments section below.There are so many different types of questions in the reading test because it forces you to learn a range of skills. If there were only multiple choice questions then all you would need to practise would be choosing answers from a list. The exam tests both your reading skills and your ability to read with just one hour to complete 40 questions – so it is important to develop a strategy to maximise your chances of getting a good score.The different tasks are a method of asking the following questions about the passage:<ul><li>When or where did this happen?</li><li>What happened?</li><li>How/why did they do this?</li><li>What exactly does this mean?</li><li>Who said this?</li><li>What is the main idea?</li><li>Why did the writer say this?</li><li>What is the cause or effect of this?</li><li>Where is this information?</li></ul>Understanding the order of the questionsThe reading test questions are presented in the most logical order, so answering the different question types “in order” (sequentially) will help you to complete the test more efficiently.Understanding where the answers can be found in the passageIn addition to having a strategy to answer each question type, students would also be aware that the answers to some questions will not be presented in order throughout the passage.Questions which are in the same order as the passageThese generally focus on the precise meaning of one part of the passage. They are:<ul><li>Short answer questions</li><li>Sentence completion</li><li>Multiple choice</li><li>True, False, Not Given and Yes, No, Not Given questions</li></ul>To answer these questions, you should:<ol><li>Read the question in detail and identify keywords.</li><li>Scan the passage for the synonyms (the information may be mentioned in more than one place).</li><li>Skim read each part where the synonyms are mentioned to identify the right one.</li><li>Read the part in detail to answer the question.</li></ol>Questions which are not in the same order as the passageSome sections of the reading exam are designed to test whether the candidate can find information, or select the most appropriate information from a random list. Therefore, they cannot be in the same order as the information in the passage. These are:<ul><li>Matching headings</li><li>Matching information</li><li>Matching features</li></ul>To answer these questions, you need the same skills of scanning for key information, skim reading, and reading in detail. However, even though you may be able to find some of the same words used in the question, they are more likely to be mentioned in more than one place n the passage, and you will also need to find synonyms. So, skim reading is more important here because it helps you decide which part of the passage is most relevant to the specific question. This is a common cause of errors for some students who are looking in the wrong part of the passage and believe they have identified the right answer.Questions which may not be in the same order as the passage<ul><li>Note completion</li><li>Summary completion</li><li>Diagram completion</li><li>Flowchart completion</li></ul>For these types of question, you should quickly identify the key details in the question, which could be headings, or labels in a diagram, or keywords in a flowchart or process. Then scan the passage for these details, and skim to check you have found the right information. As with all other questions, once you have found the answer, copy the exact words from the passage to the answer paper.

IELTS Reading - Different Question Types

Around the world, non-native speakers&nbsp;now outnumber native speakers&nbsp;by three to one. In Asia,&nbsp;an estimated 350 million people speak English. English has become the language of globalization and of international business, so why is it so many students are reluctant to speak English in class? There could be many reasons, but frequently they lack confidence, do not want to make mistakes and sometimes cannot find the words to express the ideas the teacher wants them to. Here is some advice to help improve both your confidence AND your ability.Many IELTS students are so focused on achieving a target band score that they concentrate too much on examination technique (and tips) and fail to spend enough time improving their English. To achieve band scores above 6.0 you need to invest in the time and hard work necessary to improve fluency in speaking, learn more vocabulary and develop the ability to give good answers to a wide range of questions on different topics. How can you improve your confidence in speaking? Firstly, work hard on your pronunciation. In the IELTS speaking test, 25% of your score is for pronunciation. It is based on clarity (speaking clearly), intonation (the rise and fall of your voice), speed, stress (the emphasis we place on syllables and words) and word linking and rhythm (the combination of all these things). Use someone who speaks well, and try to copy the way they pronounce words - hopefully this is your teacher. Become more aware of your mistakes and work on correcting them. You can do this by reading aloud and recording yourself.Secondly, practice as much as possible, particularly in class. Use every opportunity to talk to your partner and to your teacher. Listen to your partner and give them constructive feedback on their strengths and weaknesses. Ask them to do the same for you. Good pronunciation is usually the result of lots of listening and copying, so concentrate on speaking clearly and accurately.Finally, talk about what you know. Your confidence will improve if you can speak as naturally as possible, so use real examples or stories. It is easier to give a description if you talk about something which is true, and it helps you to stop worrying about grammar or vocabulary.

How to Improve your confidence in speaking English

The topics in speaking part 3 are academic. That means you need to organize your thoughts, give opinions and explain why you think that way. Although the questions are more theoretical and may seem difficult, the best answers will focus on a simple idea. Speaking part 3 is not a test of knowledge, and there are no right or wrong answers: it’s all about your ability to communicate the way you think.You should try to give slightly longer, detailed answers. A good way to do this is to imagine that you are making a paragraph. Here are two methods:1. Idea, explain, exampleStart with a direct answer to the question, like the 'topic sentence' in a written paragraph. Then explain your answer in more detail, and support your explanation with an example.2. Firstly, secondly, finallyStart with the direct answer, then explain it by giving two or three reasons, and maybe an example too.Important advice1. Try to add more detail – a method of giving longer, more detailed answers is to ask yourself “why”, make comparisons (or explain alternatives) and give an example.Question: “In your opinion, are newspapers important?”Model answer: “Definitely, I think newspapers are still a vital source of information for news and current events (why?) because they provide a regular, impartial view of the important issues facing the world today, for example in business, economics and technology. (Add more detail) They also keep readers up-to-date with various interests they may have, such as entertainment, sport and even comic strips. (Alternative?) These days many people obtain their news from the internet, but I feel this method is often less reliable due to fake news stories manufactured to promote certain interests. Also, by only reading the topics they are interested in, people are becoming less aware of the world around them”.2. Avoid certain formal or unnatural phrases, such as “In my opinion” “Nowadays”, “To be honest” and “That’s an interesting question”. They sound memorised, which the examiner does not like, and it is far better to just answer the question directly.3. Avoid formal linking and sequencing language, for example “With regard to” and “I would like to start with”. Again, these phrases sound forced and unnatural, but, more importantly, you will be wasting time by not giving interesting examples and explanations!4. If you don’t know the answer be honest and tell the examiner and explain why you don’t know.5. Start with a general statement, and then make it personal.Question: “Does playing video games have any negative effects?”Model answer: “Yes, if you spend too much time on a particular hobby it will affect other parts of your life. Girls, for example, prefer to spend a lot of their free time chatting on the internet with their friends, whereas boys are often too engrossed in playing online video games. When I was younger, I gave up playing video games altogether because it was addictive, consuming too much of my free time and detracting from my studies”6. Finally, it is ok to lie! However, it is probably better to tell the truth and be honest, otherwise you may contradict yourself later in the speaking test. Imagine that in part 1 speaking the examiner asks you to talk about your hometown. Then, in part 2, your question is to talk about a city you “would like” to visit – and you talk about your hometown again. This is a “conditional question” which means you must talk about a city you have never been to before. So, you would not only be repeating yourself but also the examiner might give you a lower score for grammar!

Techniques for Part 3 Speaking

Many IELTS students struggle with developing an effective method for learning new material. The main reason for this problem is that they often rely on passive rather than active learning techniques. But what is passive learning? Here are the most common types:<ul><li>Reading books, listening to audio and watching videos</li><li>Listening to a teacher in class</li><li>Taking notes in class</li></ul>You will recognise that these methods are not just common for learners of English but also typical of the entire education system. There has been a lot of research in this area, and studies demonstrate that people remember:10% of what they read (passive learning)20% of what they hear (passive learning)30% of what they see (passive learning)50% of what they see &amp; hear (passive)70% of what they say &amp; write (active learning)90% of what they do (active learning)&nbsp;So, what is active learning? Some methods include the following:<ul><li>Revising and summarising notes</li><li>Asking questions in class</li><li>Understanding the relationships between different topics</li><li>Participating in class practice and discussions</li><li>Researching new information on a topic (this does not mean copying!)</li></ul>Perhaps you can see the reason why active learning is so effective is because it requires a student to think about a particular topic and put their knowledge into practice. This improves both comprehension and long-term memory.So how can students employ active learning techniques in IELTS? Here is some advice:Speaking<ul><li>Practice developing and giving your opinion on a wide range of IELTS topics, such as crime, education, the environment, healthcare and cities.</li><li>Listen carefully to your partner in class and then ask them follow-up questions (this will test your listening skills and improve your understanding of part 3)</li></ul>Writing<ul><li>Subscribe to the Facebook news feed for the Economist, Telegraph newspaper, Science Channel and TED Education – review the infographics and diagrams and try to describe and summarise the trends or main points</li><li>Develop your ideas and opinions on a wide range of IELTS essay questions</li></ul>Reading<ul><li>When you have completed a reading passage in class, review your incorrect answers at home and identify the correct answer from the passage</li><li>Construct keyword tables with the underlined keywords from the questions and their synonyms from the passage</li></ul>Listening<ul><li>Use the time before the audio begins to predict (not the same as guessing) what the answers could be. Think about grammar (noun, adjective, verb) and vocabulary</li><li>Listen again at home and identify the expressions and keywords which lead to the correct answer</li></ul>

Active versus Passive Learning in IELTS

Explore expert tips and strategies to boost your IELTS scores and enhance your English communication skills.