Writing work not executed

Hmm deleted the wrong message...

Just to remind you AGAIN, that only a few students have done their writing tasks from last week!!! [Many are called, but few are chosen] {Please explain the difference in meaning in this use of 'few' as opposed to 'a few'}

I'm expecting the following:

ACADEMIC IELTS: Cambridge IELTS Test Book 3, task 1 page 51 and Cambridge IELTS Test Book 3, task 2 page 52.

GENERAL TRAINING IELTS: Cambridge IELTS Test Book 3, task 1 page 112 and Cambridge IELTS Test Book 3, task 2 page 113.

Did I not make myself clear? Are you losing it? Have you got the write stuff!

Well folks, 'you ain't seen nothing yet', 'cos it gets harder and tougher from now onwards - that's the TRUTH!

Another expression:

"When the going gets tough, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ gets _ _ _ _ _ . "

Please complete.

See you tonight. Please fasten your seatbelts, we are about to take off!

This is your captain speaking...

Tony

Using the Blogmember account

Hello again!

I have deleted two new blogs that were on Blogmember account.

When you sign in as Blogmember and get the DASHBOARD, then you click on NEW POST to leave your message to the group and the world!

What has happened to the font selection and fancy colours? I didn't change any settings... Ah well, see you guys tonight.

You can always email me a WORD DOCUMENT attachment with written work to be looked at if you can't wait till the lesson, or heaven forbid, you might be absent for a lesson!

Now it's getting harder, so fasten those seatbelts and stand by!

Tony

Traditional skills - Mutawa

I have limited my time for this essay. Unfortunately, the topic was difficult to write. You will find out how I throw some random ideas that do not fit with the topic, because I was pushed by the time to finish it. The paragraphs are also too short.

10, 20 and 10 minutes on planning, writing and checking respectively.

Traditional skills

It is so important to have a county with rich traditional skills and devices alive. Therefore, I strongly disagree with the statement saying that there is no use of keeping traditional life alive. I have many reasons that could support my opinion.

I think that keeping the classic way of living alive will help a country's culture last. For example, the people will have their own way of greeting and festivals. I also believe that it is very important to keep a country's history; in order to know who they really are and were they originally from. Another reason to keep the history of a country is to learn from their previous knowledge. I think that people who do not know the traditional life of their grandfathers are just like machines that living the present only.

As far as I am concerned, each tradition has it is own taste of art, such as drawing, dancing and music.

In conclusion, I believe man kind cannot ignore their grand fathers' life history.

Underlined words were spelled wrong. (172 words!!)

Consumer goods - Mutawa

This chart is so difficult! I have tried by best to find the main trends or figures, but I could not find much. It is also a little bit difficult to describe ‘the figures for appliances for different countries’; it sounds confusing.

Is there any easy way to understand or find the main data within a short of time.

Although I wrote it without a time limit, I could not reach 150!

The graph illustrates the number of money spent on six appliances in four countries. These countries are Germany, France, Italy and Britain. I will explain which appliance has spent on the most by each country.

In Germany, more than 150 thousand pounds sterling was spend on Tennis racquets. As for Italy, the amount spent on Toys was just under 160 thousand pounds sterling. Both France and Britain spent on photographic films mainly. The records were about 165 and 170 thousand pounds sterling respectively.

In general, Britain spent more than the other counties on each of the six consumer goods. The data describes that both France and Italy spent the same on toys.

(112 words)

Ramadan days

I did not post anything since a week ago!

The time in ramadan looks really short. We broke up our routine for a new schedule, giving some time for 'taraweeh' prayers and spending some time with families and friends.

Happy Ramadan,
Ahmed Mutawa

Use BLOGMEMBER account

Want to join the blog? Former students know the Blogmember username and password.

Ieltscommunity13: if you have not registered so far, then get your act together and use the BLOGMEMBER account.

Ask me tonight, Tuesday for details of the username/password.

Go to www.blogger.com

and sign in!

Use it or lose it!

Tony as Blogmember

That was the weekend that was

Hello campers!

The weekend has well and truly gone, tomorrow we reconvene! Are those loins girded? Let's see what you are made of!

I expect you to be raring to go at 8.00pm on the dot. I know it's hard and the we are in the Holy Month of Ramadan, but I need your minds and bodies only two days a week for six precious hours. I know your souls will be occupied with higher matters.

I want to crack on with READING and TASK 2 WRITING - these parts of IELTS will make you or break you. LISTENING is a matter of more and more practice, then even more practice - hello? Are you listening? SPEAKING is when you sing for your supper and unashamedly sell yourself to the IELTS examiner (in a manner of speaking!).

So, no excuses, we have a mission this month and into October.

The motto for the blog, as Jean Luc would surely echo, is: nulla dies sine linea.

Let's push that envelope, ladies and gentlemen!

Reactions please!

CU tomorrow

Tony

PCs do NOT interrupt youth's education

I have wrote it within 25 minutes!

5 minutes planning!

10 minutes checking!

I thought It would be too difficult for me, but actually it was fine. I was ignoring my mistakes to the end; in order to write fast. Then, I have corrected some spelling mistakes and, repetitions and some unwanted words in the 10 minutes checking time (Thank you old Jean Luc!)

The underlined words were spelled wrong.

PCs do NOT interrupt youth's education

I disagree with the idea that PCs disturbs the youth's learning ability. The computers could bring some disadvantages, but their benefits are uncounted.

There are many learning programs specially made for children, which I think will help their studies. Those programs vary from language to general science education. One of the language programs that I have seen is a screen showing a room full of appliances. Once the child click on one of them, a sound played saying the name of that object and showing the spelling of it. Another program, which I believe is so helpful for the kid's mathematical ability is a game showing visual equations. The kid has to calculate a simple question in his mind and answer it by multiple choices.

In my point of view, there are some programs or games which do not help the youngsters' education. Some of them are chatting programs or typical action games, which are not related at all in education. However, such programs can be controlled by their parents. Parents can either watch their children directly or setting up the PC, so that it blocks unwanted programs to be used.

In conclusion, I think the computer's side effects on a kid's ability to learn is not from the computer it self. It is from few programs that could be banned by adults. As far as I am concerned, computers are very helpful tool to help youth education.

---end (238 words)

Cheers,
Ahmed Mutawa

We are on our way!

Hello ladies and gentlemen

You know, I am kind of getting to like this gentler pace of a six weeks' IELTS course. Don't worry, I am not relaxing or lowering my standards (on the contrary you have not seen anything yet!). Some of you have taken to the weblog, others are too shy, while some are too busy or feckless (look it up on http://www.ldoceonline.com !).

Yes, with Jean Luc's magnificent help, we are starting to generate some steam! However, the worrying sign of three students absent on Tuesday does not augur well. You all have my email address and you simply cannot afford to miss a single lesson. You undertook to "try your best" but is your best good enough?

So, tomorrow we have the first debate. The six speakers have read the article on computers and done their research. The others will at least have read the article and thought about the issues.

We shall talk about the IELTS speaking test - the three candidates from yesterday can brief you on their experience with me.

I intend to do some work on Task 1 writing and give you back the Task 2 essays you had done over the weekend. For most of you, it was an acceptable first attempt, but tomorrow we shall have a timed task 2 writing from 8.20 to 9.00.

What about the Learning Zone? Isn't it a fabulous IELTS resource? Remember it's free to use from 1.00 to 5.00pm every afternoon and on Saturdays (check with the BC front desk on 02 6910600 that they are not using it for IELTS testing on Saturday mornings/afternoons - BUT it will be free after 6.00pm on Saturday evenings...) - come on guys, no pain, no gain!!!

Thank you for your patience with me not being smart enough at first to use the Intelligent White Board - see how new devices take some getting used to, but have enormous potential!

I want to see EVERYONE registered and posting / commenting on the weblog. Then you can access me and good old Jean Luc for that five day break until we reconvene on Tuesday 26 September - which will be the third (?) day of the Holy month of Ramadan, which means 8.00 -11.00pm classes.

Come on ieltscommunity13, let's work together and kick some IELTS **s!


See you tomorrow (ALL of you!)

Ciao

Toni

Children's work experience

I have spent 55 minutes on this task.

Children’s work experience

I agree with the statement that the children can benefit from their work experience in different areas. I will support my point of view with some reasons and examples.

In my opinion, youngsters will benefit from work by gaining more responsibility and independence. From my experience, giving a child some tasks that needs to be finished before a deadline will improve the child's responsibility. I also believe that the teenagers’ communication skills will improve by spending some time with adult employees. In which, whey will listen to new words and understand the ethics of communication. For example, the child will be more careful to use "could you please" or some other greeting phrases. The youth could also be more confident in speaking, by not hesitating or shying to what ever they want to say. Then, if they were paid off. I believe that they will understand the value of the money they got. Therefore, they will think twice before spending their money on something, which they will benefit on how to save their money and when to spend it in the right time. Lastly, I think going to work on time and doing some tasks on time will improve the children’s time management.

To sum up, there are many reasons to believe that the work experience is very useful for youngsters. However, not every work is suitable for them. I think nothing will be wrong as long as the work is easy to understand and has fewer responsibilities on them.

Good night,
Ahmed Mutawa

The greatest invention

Regarding our homework of "what do you think is the greatest invention ever".

I have just finished writting it.

The invention of Writing

All the inventions in the world have advantages, however, the value of their advantages differ from each other. As far as I am concerned, to decide which invention is the greatest, some statements have to compare it. Therefore, I will write which is the greatest invention based on some statements, which reflects my own point of view.

The following statements should measure the greatness of an invention. First, the benefits an invention brings. Next, the number of people uses it and the time they spend on it. Finally, the replacement possibility by another invention.

In my opinion, Writing is the greatest invention. For example, the invention of characters, symbols, alphabets and numbers are all parts of writing, which are been used to store information. I believe that writing is the best way to communicate, and that is because it can carry deep amount of information with few phrases. The other reason is that it is more official than speaking, such as business letters. I think that the importance of writing is so huge that no civilization could live without it. As we can see, every civilization has a written language to keep their culture live and to build them up. We use this invention almost all the time. Such as the whole information on the internet, books and even when we look at a watch. Finally, I think there is nothing, which can replace the advantages of writing.

Overall, that was my point of view, which could differ from a person to another. The way that I have analyzed it, is by looking at the roots of our present science, arts and technology, which were all build up by writing.

Regards,
Mutawa

One step at a time...

Good evening, truth seekers!

By now only the 'night owls' will be reading the weblog. So let's recap on what I expect for Tuesday:

• that you have all written the Task 2 essay
• that the three students who owe me the introductory letter have kept their promise
• that you marked your listening properly and are ready for a spelling quiz
• that you have bought a 10 subject divider set to put in an A4 two ring folder
• that the debaters are preparing their arguments, while the rest have at least read the article
• that you have looked through the Insight into IELTS coursebook
• that everyong has registered on the weblog or emailed me if they are having technical problems
• that you have thought about the reasons for your choice of greatest invention (and even posted your thoughts on the weblog)
• that you have been listening to 90.3 FM and accessed some of the self help websites for IELTS practice
• that the first three speakers are ready for their Speaking test on Tuesday

Hmmm, I expect a lot, don't I? How many out of the 10 bullet points have you managed?

Good night, sleep tight! I personally am hugely pleased that Arsenal beat Manchester United at Old Trafford this evening! I love football, ok then, what is one of your passions in life? Go on, surprise me, interest me in something unique about YOU!!!

See you after tomorrow!

Wake up everone except Ahmed, Muhsin and Asila!

Tony B

Introducing Jean Luc

Jean Luc,

Can you introduce yourself to us or at least write something in your personal information page, unless it is confidential!!!

Your writing skills impressed me!

I have read some of your previous blogs, it shows that you look so talkative and socialized person.

But, it is unfortunate that the other students in your class are NOT active at all in the blog!

Yours,
Ahmed

Home truths #1

The universal blogger (member of i-communities 1 - 13) wonders if this class really are seekers after the 'truth' of IELTS. Only six students have joined the blog, of whom only one has tried to post a message on the weblog.

Attending the BC course twice a week is an important part of your IELTS preparations - what about the other 162 hours of the week?

The successful IELTS students of yore (look it up!) were extremely active in improving themselves in their precious personal time - in the Learning Zone, on the Internet and on the Weblog. "No pain, no gain" was the motto. Some people gained a lot from the IELTS preparation classes, others benefitted less - we are all different and unique.

So, take a long hard look in the mirror, are you prepared to 'dig deep' and push yourself to improve during this six weeks when you know from Tony that it takes an average of 100 hours study to improve 1 band on the IELTS? You have a lot to do - excuses and apologies will not help you in that big, silent exam room, will they!

Blogmember has spoken!

Write about your self Homework

Let's post our letters here to share our information.

Dear Tony,

I am Ahmed Al Mutawa from United Arab Emirates. I have just finished my Higher Diploma in the Higher Colleges of Technology. Currently, I am applying for onboard universities to continue my studies in order to earn a bachelor degree.I got an overall score of band 6 before two years in my college. However, the universities that I applied for needs at least an overall score of 6.5 and at least band 6 individually. I expect that my writing skill will be improved the most. Since, I am planning on doing many written home work. I think managing my time is the most difficult thing in the IELTS exam. In my opinion, to over come this problem, I need to have several pre-test before the IELTS exam. In this 36 hour course, I believe that I will do my best to improve my language. I will try to be active in the class, do extra work at home. For this IELTS course I am planning to be active in the IELTS-TRUTH blog.

Best regards,

Ahmed Al Mutawa

Dear Tony,

I am Ahmed Al Mutawa from the United Arab Emirates. I have just finished my Higher Diploma in the Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi Men's College.

Currently, I am applying for (onboard) universities abroad to continue my studies in order to earn a bachelor degree. I got an overall score of IELTS band 6 (before) two years ago in my college. However, the universities that I have applied (for) to need(s) at least an overall score of 6.5 and at least band 6 individually.

I expect that my writing skill will be improved the most during this preparation course at the British Council. (Since), This is because I am planning on doing many written (home work) pieces of work. I think that managing my time is the most difficult thing in the IELTS exam. In my opinion, to overcome this problem, I need to have several pre-tests before the IELTS exam. In this 36 hour course, I believe that I will do my best to improve my language. I will try to be active in the class and do extra work at home. For this IELTS course I am planning to be active (in) on the IELTSTRUTH blog.

Best regards,

Ahmed Al Mutawa

A very noble effort, Ahmed! See Jean Luc's incisive comments above as well. This is how you learn and improve yourself - by having the courage to post on the weblog.

By the way, where are your suggestions for the greatest invention and reasons why you consider 'whatever' to be the greatest invention ever?

Standing by

Blog on!

Tony

Saturday, 16 Sept 06, 6pm

Ladies and gentlemen - we are in business!

Check your inboxes!

I have invited all the class to join the weblog. Follow the link and create an account. Make sure the weblog is CLOSED when you accept the invitation - you might get confused, I hope not!

You will have to create an account to participate OR you can use the BLOGMEMBER account (details tomorrow)!

Have a pleasant evening! How is the digestion going?

See you tomorrow

Tony

A new chapter unfolds...

Dear bloggers past and present

The summer has long gone, we are are back to another IELTS season at the British Council, Abu Dhabi.
We have a six week, six hours a week, 'slow burn' extensive IELTS preparation course. In the past and perhaps in the future, we tended to go for the three / four week hyper intensive IELTS. This course should be more gentle, but no less serious than previous sessions.
The Tuesday/Thursday rhythm means that it is even more essential to keep in touch via the weblog. Past ieltscommunity members are most welcome to join us on this latest adventure. Let's see how i-community13 shape up!

Bye for now

See you on the blog!

Tony