Description
This app will help you to: increase your vocabulary for the IELTS writing and speaking tests; learn useful synonyms that will help you answer questions in the reading and listening tests; improve your reading speed and your listening accuracy; and improve your chances of achieving IELTS Band 7 and above.
Each app contains exercises to help you add 250 words to your active vocabulary in speaking and writing and finally score bands 7 to 8 and above. You learn 250 words, plus their synonyms, and the 250 example sentences to show how the words are used. The words are divided into 25 different topics and each set of words is taught through 10 stages or exercises. Using your phone or iPad, you learn to read, spell, hear, and write the words, as well as use them in a typical IELTS writing or speaking sentence. Purchasing both apps will add 500 words, plus their synonyms, to your IELTS vocabulary. The apps are available from iTunes and the Google Play store. Watch this video to see how the app works.
Working on the IELTS test since 1995 has given me a good working knowledge of all parts of the test as well as the type and level of vocabulary that will feature in the test. Unlike other vocabulary apps, which often simply take vocabulary from the Academic Word List, the words you will learn through my apps are related to topics that are common in IELTS, and are words that candidates struggle to produce at the right time in the test. The recording was made specifically for the apps and is not simply cut and pasted from other resources.
Vocabulary can be divided into two categories: the vocabulary you know and can understand when reading and listening, and the vocabulary you are able to actively produce when speaking and listening. The first of these - your receptive or passive vocabulary – is much larger than the second, you active vocabulary. So, when you read, you can understand far more words than you are actively able to produce when speaking and writing. The reality is that the vocabulary you need to be able to produce is quite different to the vocabulary you need to be able to understand. Apps that simply teach vocabulary from the AWL do not help you to make this distinction, and so you are learning words that you will not need to use in the test – words that may help your reading score, but that will not help your writing score.
On the technical side, while I provided the exercises, content and ideas used in the app, it was built by skilled technicians, so works seamlessly and makes learning a pleasure. The app is completely self-contained, so once you have downloaded it, you have all of the information you need, including the recordings. You do not need an internet connection to use it, there are no ads, and no need to pay extra once you have it – you simply download it and learn wherever you are!
The teaching system used in the app is based on my own classroom teaching and the way that I used to learn vocabulary as a language student myself. It is based on the idea that you can learn and remember vocabulary best when there is repetition and variety. So, through reading, matching, listening, and writing the words, you are constantly learning and reviewing them, and improving your active vocabulary as well as your accuracy.
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Nguyen Truong
Hi Pauline,
I have just used your app and found out it is good solution to improve my vocabulary. In matching section, how long do users should be expected to match the words?
Another thing, I am searching the app or video or web to practice the skimming skills from the professional teachers like you. Can you recommend me some resources? I am struggling with skimming skill and reading speed -((.
Thank you so much.
Pauline
Hello, I’m really pleased you’re enjoying my app. I’m afraid I don’t know any reading skills apps that I would recommend. Have you tried applying the reading tips from my free book, The Key to IELTS Success? If apps were not so expensive to build, I would definitely like to have created more. I had planned on making a grammar version, but the cost to build them makes it unaffordable.
HUU THO PHAN
Dear Ms. Pauline,
It is me again. Thank you for your reply.
I mean, to show the keyboard, users have to tap on the space that is a little bit annoying.
Because at that step, users have no choice but to use the keyboard to write. Hence, it would be better if the keyboard appears automatically without any action from users.
Please consider it as my personal view. If you think it is not necessary to change, please ignore my point.
Thank you so much for your great app.
Best regards,
Tho Phan
Pauline
Ok, I see your point. The apps were very expensive to build and are also very expensive to update, if I do need to update for some reason in the future then I will bear this in mind.
HUU THO PHAN
Hi Cullen,
Thank you for your response.
I cannot reply to your answer so I create a new review, please forgive me.
Just recap:
>>> It would be better if your app can show the keyboard automatically at the moment of showing “now write the word” in the spelling check part.
>>> I am using the Android version.
I am using Galaxy Note 8, Android version: 9, One UI version: 1.0
I hope it helps you to fix it.
Thank you.
Tho Phan
Pauline
Hi, I just checked and the keyboard appears immediately – as soon as you tap on the space where you need to write the answer.
HUU THO PHAN
Thank you for the great app.
It would be better if your app can show the keyboard automatically at the moment of showing “now write the word” in the spelling check part.
I am using the Android version.
Thank you.
Tho Phan
Pauline
It always appeared automatically before – what type of phone are you using?
Nguyen Nguyen
Dear,
Now, I can hear the sound as your guide (switch on the sound/unmute on iphone)
Thank you so much
Pauline
Great, thanks for letting me know 🙂
Nguyen Nguyen
Hi Pauline,
I can’t hear any sound in app +7 on Apple Store, I’m using iPhone 7, please check it
Pauline
Hi, you need to make sure the sound is switched on on your phone. Or, try with headphones in. This video shows you how to make the most of it: https://keytoielts.com/how-to-use-the-app/
dat
can you fix the app, please?
Pauline
Can you give me more information about the problem? Which app are you using and which store did you buy it from?