Always!

When you read and listen, question everything with a critical mind.

When you write or speak, ask yourself if you have evidence to support your claims. Sometimes, we accept ideas simply because they fit with our beliefs and values.

Make a habit of stopping often to check!

Reading: Choosing the people who are right for you

"There are people, places and things that make me feel like I’m building my energy stores, that rejuvenate me, and help me to do my best work. Likewise, there are also people and places that zap my energy; that leave me exhausted; that make me feel as though I’ve wasted my time and my energy – and my day – without getting anything useful done."

Do you feel the same way about the effects of spending time with different people?

This writer classifies people on an energy spectrum, from "high, positive energy, to balanced and stable individuals, to strong negative energy.

Read more at the link below, and make a list of the 11 groups into which people are classified.

http://itstartswith.com/2013/09/right-people-energy

Do you know people who fit into each of these 11 categories?
In which category do you think you might belong?
Do you disagree with the author on any points? Why?

Science: How activation of genes in the womb can shape health over a lifetime

Here's a very interesting article on recent genetic research. Scientists are looking at how genes are activated in the womb by the activities and environment of the mother. It appears that through such interactions, gene changes can occur which will affect the child in his or her later life.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/09/23/224387744/how-a-pregnant-womans-choices-could-shape-a-childs-health

Food: What the World Eats

This fascinating project, "Hungry Planet," documents "that most basic of human behaviors — what we eat".

Peter Menzel's photographs show all that an average family eats in a week, with its total cost.

"The results will be exhibited by The Nobel Peace Center to give viewers a peek into kitchens from Norway to Kuwait, and to raise awareness about how environments and cultures influence the cost and calories of the world’s dinners."

Read more and see photos at http://world.time.com/2013/09/20/hungry-planet-what-the-world-eats/#ixzz2fSoBNyt7



Germany: The Sturm Family of Hamburg

Using Your Time More Effectively

"Busy people all make the same mistake: they assume they are short on time, which of course they are. But time is not their only scarce resource. They are also short on bandwidth."

To learn what is meant by "bandwidth" and to discover how to use your time more effectively, read the article at

http://ideas.time.com/2013/09/09/the-mistake-busy-people-make/?

The Benefits of Learning Another Language

Most people who learn another language will agree that the process brings many benefits in addition to being able to communicate in the target language -- for example, you might find your memory improves.

Can you think of ten extra benefits to learning another language?

Write down your ideas before reading the article here: http://www.spring.org.uk/2013/09/10-superb-psychological-advantages-of-learning-another-language.php#

Cambridge speaking examiners discuss what makes a good speaking test candidate

"What makes a good Speaking test candidate? In this video three experienced examiners give their advice and tips for the Cambridge English: First and Cambridge English: Advanced Speaking tests."

Note: these tests use different formats to the IELTS tests but much of the advice is useful for all speaking tests.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTdte3pksBs&feature=c4-overview&list=UUnXqRankqlC47qzXcYMazKA

How to Study Effectively -- British Psychological Society

The British Psychological Society has published an excellent "digest" (a summary or compilation) of research on how to study.

Go to http://www.bps-research-digest.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-digest-guide-to-studying.html to see if you are approaching your study in the right way and to pick up some very useful information on what works best.

Sleep after learning improves results

You may already have discovered this for yourself, but research has now established that sleep after learning improves results.

"A nap as short as 6 minutes after learning can help to consolidate learning and improve performance."



Learning before you sleep at night is helpful, too.

Read http://www.spring.org.uk/2013/09/offline-learning-how-the-mind-learns-during-sleep.php# for more details.

Can you change your learning habits to take advantage of this information?

Get ahead by preparing for IELTS online

For more information about my online classes, please go to www.englishteachinglive.com

Introduction to my online English and IELTS classes

Please go to the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLpx1t0RQqg&feature=em-upload_owner#action=share .

The Perfect Language Learner

The Perfect Language Learner -- an excellent infographic from St George International.



(from http://www.stgeorges.co.uk/blog/)

Is there anything you'd wish to add?

IELTS Official on Facebook Live Chat: Ask the Experts about the Listening Test

Have you found IELTS Official on Facebook yet? If not, I recommend doing so right now! Go to https://www.facebook.com/IELTSOfficial and be sure to "like" the page so you'll receive their posts in your Facebook news feed.

Today, IELTS Official will host another ‘Ask the Experts’ live chat session on their Facebook page. It's on Monday 09 Sept at 13.30-14.30 BST. You will have the opportunity to ask IELTS experts your questions about the Listening test.

To find out the time of the session where you are: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ .

If you missed today's "Ask the Experts", never mind. Just be sure to stay tuned for the next one!

Preparing for IELTS? Join my Facebook page!

If you're preparing to take the IELTS test, I recommend reading back through this blog in chronological order (from the first to the most recent post).

For extra tips and information updates plus interesting material for vocabulary, reading and listening practice, you can follow my IELTS_Live page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/IELTS_Live/459147834166466 .

My website is at http://www.englishteachinglive.com/ .

If you have any questions, please ask here or email: teacher @ englishteachinglive.com .

"Voluntourism" and why you need to think twice about taking part

"Voluntourism" is a word created by combining the words "volunteer" and "tourism". (Although, while volunteer work is usually done for no pay, people taking part in "voluntourism" usually pay for the experience).

Here's a very thought-provoking article about the subject:

Cambodia's orphan business http://aje.me/JanuaI

Having read the article, would you consider being a "voluntourist"?