Speaking building blocks
Communicating in English can be very easy. For example, if someone asks you:
"Do you think globalisation is a good or a bad thing?"
You could answer,
'Good'.
This is simple and effective communication.
Unfortunately, academic English is not simple.
In academic English, you need to use blocks or chunks of English to build long and complex sentences. This makes you sound more knowledgeable. For example:
Q: Do you think globalisation is a good or a bad thing?"
A: Personally, I think globalisation has been predominantly positive. While there has definitely been some negative aspects, such as environmental damage due to increased global travel and trade, as far as I'm concerned, these have been outweighed by the significant positive impacts of globalisation. Most importantly, I think globalisation has led to improved standards in manufacturing, education, health and welfare all around the world.
Very long and very complex!
But don't worry!
Use your Myanmar learning skills to memorise the language building blocks.
Once you have learnt the language building blocks, you can use them again and again to talk on any topic. So, let's look at the answer above. The building blocks are highlighted in red.
Block 1:
Personally, I think
For me,
In my opinion,
As far as I’m concerned,
I believe,
Block 2:
generally
mainly
predominantly
mostly
Block 3
While there has definitely been some
While I acknowledge there has been some
While I accept there has undoubtedly been some
Block 4
aspects
impacts
effects
Block 5
for example
such as
for instance
Block 6 = use Block 1 again but a different phrase
Block 7
these have been outweighed by
these are overshadowed by
Block 8 = use Block 4 again but a different phrase
Block 9
In particular,
Most significantly,
Most critically,
Most importantly,
Notice that in this one answer, some of the building blocks have been used more than once (e.g. Blocks 1 and 4). This is why, to get better at IELTS speaking, you MUST LEARN these building blocks. Once you have learnt them, you will use them over and over again in your IELTS speaking answers.
Listen to another answer to the same question:
Is the speaker positive or negative about globalisation?
What does the speaker think is the main problem with globalisation?
Listen again and identify the building blocks the speaker uses.
When you have identified the building blocks, then complete the questions in the sheet below:
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