IELTS Speaking for Success

Listen as Rory describes his mum's 'green thumb' using C1 vocab like 'dab hand' and 'pottering about.' Maria then reveals how to adapt this perfect Band 9 story for any person you want to talk about!

Are you 'fussy' about where you stay? Rory discusses seeing the galaxy and why Scottish scenery is on a par with the world's best, while Maria reveals why she's a very 'choosy' traveller these days!

Can you persuade anyone? Rory reveals what gives someone 'gravitas' and why hovering over kids might backfire. Plus, Maria introduces a new slang word you definitely shouldn't use in your IELTS exam!

Rory recalls a time he had to convince a chaotic student to take her IELTS homework seriously. Find out how he navigated her 'poker face' and why Maria thinks you should just steal his entire story for your own exam!

Remember playing hide and seek? Rory struggles to recall his childhood pastimes but shares brilliant language for talking about then vs. now. Discover advanced vocab for your hobbies, from loathing exercise to home brewing!

Curious about the dark side of childhood stardom? Rory explores the psychological toll on young celebrities and reveals how they can wind up on a destructive path, from racking up convictions to prying paparazzi.

Why does Rory say you should 'never meet your idols' but then choose Paris Hilton? Listen as he unpacks her notorious persona using Band 9 idioms and strategies to soften his opinions for a fluent, natural answer.

Is 5:30 AM an ungodly hour? Rory defends his early bird habits while Maria offers wilder ways to start your day, from petting cats to 'energizing' showers. Discover key idioms for your daily schedule.

Are selfies a waste of time? Can you have too many apps? Rory tackles tough questions about our digital lives, revealing Band 9 vocabulary you can use to talk about your own screen time habits and friendships.

What happens when Rory has to give up his phone for his IELTS test? He shares a story packed with Band 9 vocabulary and grammar for a common Part 2 topic that you can make your own. Listen and learn!

Is a page-turner keeping you up all night? Rory explains how he went from a haphazard reader to finishing two books a month, and why he'll always choose a paper book over a portable e-reader. Listen now!

Are you born smart or do you build it? Rory and Maria debate what makes us intelligent, from school meals and leafy greens to the dangers of doomscrolling. Find out how to realize your full potential!

What happens when a simple paint job goes horribly wrong? Rory shares a hilarious story about his dad saving the day, revealing top-tier vocabulary for describing problems and smart solutions at home.

Do you bang down the keys or prefer to write by hand? Rory reveals how he learned to type without any conscious effort and discusses the pros and cons of keyboards versus good old-fashioned pen and paper.

Where does Rory go to escape the stress of work? He reveals his ultimate safe space at home, using advanced phrasal verbs and descriptive language to create a vivid picture of tranquility for the examiner.

Is steak better than pizza? Rory weighs the pros and cons of his favourites, discussing everything from hitting macros to junk food cheats. Listen as Maria explains how to sound like a native and impress the examiner.

Rory reveals why we buy things we don't need, from sneaky marketing ploys to the fear of being left out. Find out how to stop frittering money away and start squirreling it away for a rainy day!

Think buying books is cheap? Rory tells Maria about the time he paid over the odds for a sci-fi trilogy! Listen to learn how he uses advanced idioms to explain why he just couldn't resist overspending.

Does eating too much cheese really give you nightmares? Rory shares his weirdest flying experiences and Maria explains why seeing your teeth fall out might actually be a good sign. Don't sleep on this one!

Is it worth planning your future? Rory shares why 'flying blind' isn't a great strategy for careers or even birthday parties, and explains why young people might struggle to make an informed choice.

Rory describes his super-organized dad, a master planner with tick lists and Post-it notes for everything! Learn how to talk about an impressive person and pick up C1/C2 idioms like 'on the ball'.

How does Rory spend his time off? Find out if Maria thinks his hobbies are boring and discover new ways to talk about your own downtime, from hitting the gym to catching up on the latest gossip.

Rory reveals why modern homes are so noisy and shares advanced vocabulary for peace and quiet. Is technology making our leisure time better or just different? Listen in for Rory's Band 9 answers!