Hello Reader, Did you know that opportunities to practice for your CELPIP exam are literally happening all around you a daily basis. The question is, are you noticing and taking advantage of them? **** Have you ever wondered what it's like to work with an RCIC (Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant) but you were too shy or nervous to ask? A good person to check out is Ana Canseco. She recently shared her process so you could see for yourself what it's like to work with her. Maybe it will...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Something unwelcome happens when many people who take the CELPIP. Maybe it has even happened to you. The moment you sit down for the speaking section of the exam, and see the microphone, and the faceless computer in front of you waiting to record your every word, your nerves and anxiety shoot through the roof. Then the timer begins. And something worse happens: your ability to think quickly in English vanishes. Poof. Gone. And you sit there frozen. It's a terrible feeling, isn't...
13 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, You know what I find hard to do? Stay focused on one conversation when there are MANY conversations happening around me. Example? I can't talk on the phone (easily) if there are other people in the room talking at the same time. I end up having to leave the room so I can stay focused on who I am talking with. On the speaking section of the CELPIP, can you guess which tasks are the most difficult to stay focused on? If you're thinking task 3 and 4, where you need to describe an...
17 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, You know what? Opportunities to practice for the CELPIP are all around you every day. But most people miss them because the opportunities are disguised in the plain clothes of regular life. Here's an example: Yesterday I had to pick up some milk for an event at work, so I quickly made my way to the nearby convenience store. I found the milk, and noticed the price at around $6. (Ouch.) I grabbed it and made my way to the checkout counter. Beep. The cashier scanned the barcode of...
20 days ago • 3 min read
Hello Reader, A few months ago I was listening to a client describing the image you see below - a crowded playground on a bright spring day. They loved the spot in the picture where a woman is sitting with her dog enjoying the sun, so they started talking all about them because they loved dogs! The busy playground But I was totally lost! Instead of listening to what my client was saying, I was lost in the picture trying to figure out where the dog was. There's a dog in here? I couldn't find...
24 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, There really is nothing better than getting into a conversation with a small group of people. It is one of THE best ways around to help you get ready for the CELPIP and build your English skills in general at the same time. Yesterday at work, for example, there were about 6 people sitting at the same table where I was, enjoying a hot coffee and chatting about everything from the census that is going on in Canada right now, the weather (because always something to talk about...
27 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, I know you want your English skills to get stronger., and I know you want to speak calmly and confidently on the CELPIP exam. (Right?) If that matters to you, then I have an important word I want to offer you that will set you free! FREQUENCY. (and I talk about it in this week's podcast.) The best way I know for you to get stronger English skills and more confidence for the CELPIP is by you using your English more often each day. Higher frequency of practice is what you're...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Did you know that there are no 'secrets' to learning English faster? But if you focus on increasing the frequency of your practice, and think differently about what those practice sessions look like, you can go a LONG way towards making more progress than you can imagine! The challenge? Most people are stuck thinking 'English practice' only happens in classrooms and with a teacher or course book to work with. Nope. The best and most powerful practice is actually happening all...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Your walk home from work, or around your neighbourhood can easily turn into a fun CELPIP speaking task practice session if you're alert to what's going on around you. How about this? The other day as I was walking I noticed this cool little yard ornament: What could you do with this shot to help you practice? I immediately thought of speaking task 8, where you need to describe a picture with an unusual item or situation happening in it. Give yourself 30 seconds to brainstorm...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read