BODY LANGUAGE

BODY LANGUAGE

1. Don’t cross your arms or legs – You have probably already heard you shouldn’t cross your arms as it might make you seem defensive or guarded. This goes for your legs too. Keep your arms and legs open.

2. Have eye contact, but don’t stare – If there are several people you are talking to, give them all some eye contact to create a better connection and see if they are listening. Keeping too much eye-contact might creep people out. Giving no eye-contact might make you seem insecure. If you are not used to keeping eye-contact it might feel a little hard or scary in the beginning but keep working on it and you’ll get used to it.

3. Don’t be afraid to take up some space – Taking up space by for example sitting or standing with your legs apart a bit signals self-confidence and that you are comfortable in your own skin.

4. Relax your shoulders – When you feel tense it’s easily winds up as tension in your shoulders. They might move up and forward a bit. Try to relax. Try to loosen up by shaking the shoulders a bit and move them back slightly.

5. Nod when they are talking – nod once in a while to signal that you are listening. But don’t overdo it and peck like Woody Woodpecker.

6. Don’t slouch, sit up straight – but in a relaxed way, not in a too tense manner.

7. Lean, but not too much – If you want to show that you are interested in what someone is saying, lean toward the person talking. If you want to show that you’re confident in yourself and relaxed lean back a bit. But don’t lean in too much or you might seem needy and desperate for some approval. Or lean back too much or you might seem arrogant and distant.

8. Smile and laugh – lighten up, don’t take yourself too seriously. Relax a bit, smile and laugh when someone says something funny. People will be a lot more inclined to listen to you if you seem to be a positive person. But don’t be the first to laugh at your own jokes, it makes you seem nervous and needy. Smile when you are introduced to someone but don’t keep a smile plastered on your face, you’ll seem insincere.

9. Don’t touch your face – it might make you seem nervous and can be distracting for the listeners or the people in the conversation.

10. Keep you head up – Don’t keep your eyes on the ground, it might make you seem insecure and a bit lost. Keep your head up straight and your eyes towards the horizon.

11. Slow down a bit – this goes for many things. Walking slower not only makes you seem more calm and confident, it will also make you feel less stressed. If someone addresses you, don’t snap you’re neck in their direction, turn it a bit more slowly instead.

12. Don’t fidget – try to avoid, phase out or transform fidgety movement and nervous ticks such as shaking your leg or tapping your fingers against the table rapidly. You’ll seem nervous and fidgeting can be a distracting when you try to get something across. Declutter your movements if you are all over the place. Try to relax, slow down and focus your movements.

13. Use your hands more confidently – instead of fidgeting with your hands and scratching your face use them to communicate what you are trying to say. Use your hands to describe something or to add weight to a point you are trying to make. But don’t use them to much or it might become distracting. And don’t let your hands flail around, use them with some control.

SPEAKING QUESTIONS (MARCH)

STAGE1

Introduction
Talk about your hometown?
Does it have any historical significance?
Do you go for vacation?

STAGE2
Talk about a thing you have bought for which you had to save money
· What was it
· When did you buy it
· How long you had to save
· How happy/unhappy were you

STAGE 3
Should children be taught to save money?
How can you teach them?
Should children’s demand be fulfilled?
Does advertisement influence shopping
Do male and female have different shopping preference?
What factors influence shopping?

2)

STAGE 1
Introduction
History of hometown
Importance of museum
Should museums sell the items on display if they get good price?
What is the difference between the way festivals are celebrated in cities and in villages?

STAGE 2
Talk about a festival you celebrate in your hometown

· What is it
· When is it celebrated
· What is its importance

Stage3
Talk about any value/culture which your parents taught you and you will like to teach your children
Do boys and girls play the same sport in your country?
From where did you learn about your cultural beliefs and values?

WRITING TOPIC
Nowadays both parents are working. Does it have negative impacts on their family life. Give your opinion.
Support with relevant examples.

SPEAKING QUESTIONS (FEBRUARY,2011)

STAGE1


Introduction


Describe your hometown


what is the most interesting thing about your hometown


Do you like reading


what types of books do you read?


How much time did you spend for reading when you were a child?


Do you think the reading habits of children are decreasing these days?


Have you gifted a book to someone?


Do you enjoy shopping?


What kind of shops do you visit?


STAGE 2


Describe about an interesting animal you have seen

• what was it


• when did you see it


• why was it interesting

STAGE 3

What are the advantages of having pets?

Is it good to keep pets in cities?

What kind of animals do you see in your area?

Is it justified to use animals for scientific researches?

WRITING TOPIC

City planners design cities with the schools,offices,homes and shops in specific areaswhich are widely seperated from each other.
Do the advantages outweigh disadvantages for the city residents by this plan?

SPEAKING QUESTIONS( NOVEMBER)

STAGE 1

Introduction
Tell me about your hometown
Do you have a pet animal?
Do you like animals?
Do you think animals should be kept as a pet?
What is your favorite meal?


STAGE 2

Describe some kind of help which you have done for someone?
· What was the help
· Whom did you help
· How did you feel

SATGE 3

Where would you prefer your children to have food? In the restaurant or at home?
Do you like your profession?
What kind of work do you do in your work area?
Will you cook for your children?
Do you think more people should help people?

2. STAGE 1

what is your name?

Do you study or work?

Where is your hometown?

What is your favorite color?

Do you quite often dress up in this color?

STAGE 2

Describe a modern building you have seen:

• where have you seen it


• what is it like


• why is it important

STAGE 3

What do you prefer, modernor old buildings?

What should be the appearance of the building of your like?

Has structure of the building got anything to do with attraction?

Does it add to tourism?

WRITING TOPIC

In some countries like America and the U.K working days are getting increased in offices and work area which is the negative side to social consequences.
Do you agree or disagree with the statement.
Support with relevant examples.

SPEAKING QUESTIONS ( OCTOBER)

STAGE 1

Introduction
Tell me about your hometown
What are your leisure activities?
What kind of food did you like when you were a child?
Do you like to have them now too?
Do you prefer your children to eat the same food?


STAGE 2

Describe an exciting message you received through mail / phone

· What was the message
· When did you receive it
· Why was it exciting

SATGE 3

How do you like to receive your messages?
How has communication advanced through the years?
What are its advantages?
Are there any disadvantages of that too?

SPEAKING QUESTIONS SEPTEMBER

Stage1

Introduction
What is your profession?
What is the nature of your job?
What is your dream job?
Do you stay in a flat or an apartment?
What is the difference between flat and apartment?
What is your hobby?
Describe your home town?
Do you follow fashion?

Stage2

Describe something you have made yourself
· What is it
· When did you make it
· Why did you like or dislike your creation


Stage3

What is the meaning of handicraft?
What is the difference between handicraft and factory outlets?
Which gender prefers handicraft more, male or female?
Will you work in a factory outlet if given a chance?
What skills person should have while making food?
In future what will be popular, handicraft or factory outlets?


WRITING TOPIC

If richer country provides foreign help to poorer countries, it can show negative effects on them. Do you agree or disagree? Justify your opinion .give relevant examples.

Some people think long prison sentence is good to reduce crime; however some think the alternative methods are better. Discuss and give your opinion.
Give relevant examples.

IMPROVING READING SKILLS

Improving reading skills is most important for a candidate to perform better in IELTS reading. No matter what reading level you may be at the present time, you can improve your skills by increasing your reading speed as well as your level of comprehension. The following are few simple but important tips that help you improve your reading skills:

1. Make a habit of reading regularly. Read as many English books, newspapers and magazines as you can get your hands on.

2. When reading, learn to fixate on a larger group of words at a time. As a matter of fact, people often tend to fixate on one word at a time which makes reading slow and dull. The best way to improve reading is to pick up a large group of words (say about four or five) at a time; also avoid fixating on insignificant words like a, or, the, or, an etc.

3. Set aside a regular time to read. Studies show that regularly reading will produce significant gains in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and the decoding of words. For this you may require quite a good amount of time. Hence, before applying for IELTS, ensure that you have sufficient time for preparation.

4. Avoid lip movement while reading. It is a negative practice that tends to slow down your eye movement and thereby reduce your reading speed. Make your eyes and mind work more and minimize the usage of your mouth and lips. This will greatly enhance your reading speed.

5. Practice reading for at least 30 minutes a day, this will certainly improve your reading speed. Each time you practice, check your word count i.e. the number of words you had read in a minute. Simultaneously, analyze you comprehending skills by summarizing what you have read. Further, your chief objective is to read faster while improving comprehending skills hence use same type of reading material that provides consistency necessary for sensible practice.

6. Build a good vocabulary by keeping a dictionary handy, maintaining a list of new words, and knowing the origin of words.

7. Broaden your knowledge on various subjects by reading newspapers, journals, magazines, books, and using internet. You are not sure on what subject or topic you may get a reading passage in the IELTS exam, hence it is better to get acquainted with a wide range of subjects.

8. Finally, remember that you are reading for a purpose. So your primary focus must be on that specific purpose and how to do it quickly. If you lose interest take a break. Your efficiency greatly reduces upon reaching saturation point. Hence a shot break is absolutely essential. This simple technique helps you focus more and increase your concentration.