IELTSIELTS Speaking for Success

Can visualizing success actually help you get a Band 9? Rory shares a vivid story about sci-fi books, while Maria reveals the secret techniques of Formula 1 drivers to boost your score. Listen now!

Rory reveals the unwarranted gift his parents dropped off and shares his 'yes and no' strategy for choosing presents. What's the one handmade item he can't quite recall making? Tune in for top tips!

Are apps making us less carefree? Rory gets into the repercussions of our digital lives, from intrusive notifications to why older people are more discerning online. Listen for C2 vocab you can use today!

Is Rory's Instagram really that boring? Maria challenges him to post his food! Listen in for top-scoring language to talk about social media apps, plus tips on how to avoid common pitfalls on exam day.

Rory admits he's become a bit of a couch potato! Listen as he and Maria share Band 9 vocabulary for daily routines and explore grammar for discussing past habits and hypothetical situations.

Is a blockbuster with a big-name star guaranteed to succeed? Rory discusses why casting "non-entities" can still lead to a box office hit and shares powerful vocabulary for writing movie reviews.

Rory shares why a recent trip to the cinema was a 'real letdown.' Listen to find out which blockbuster film he thought took 'absolutely ages' and learn how to describe your own disappointing experiences.

Rory explains why he avoids high-rises but would visit a royal residence. Listen as he and Maria share stunning vocabulary for architecture and Rory cracks a dad joke about the world's tallest building!

Should parents reward their kids for everything? Rory weighs in on when praise becomes a problem and shares some C2-level grammar that Maria says is essential for a Band 9. Listen for tips on avoiding selfish kids!

Listen as Rory shares a personal story about his high-flying cousin! He reveals the idioms and transitions you need to talk about achievements and navigate tricky interview-style questions with confidence.

Has Rory ever locked himself out of the house? Listen as he and Maria share tales of misplaced keys, momentary panic, and the one accessory everyone should have on their keychain. Don't get left in the cold!

Are electric cars really the future? Rory shares a surprisingly pessimistic view on saving the planet, revealing a powerful idiom and a clever trick for when you need a moment to think in your exam.

Rory plans a wild road trip to the rugged north of his country! Discover the advanced idioms, phrasal verbs, and transition phrases he uses to describe his dream journey and impress the examiner.

Rory admits he's not a handy person! Learn high-level vocabulary for home repairs, from leaky taps to clogged sinks, and discover the phrasal verbs and idioms you need to ace your speaking test.

How many times a day do you smile? Rory breaks down the complex psychology behind one of our most common expressions, from genuine joy to sinister intentions. Are you ready to find out what your smile says about you?

What makes Rory's family smile? A birthday party, sure, but the real star is a dog! Maria breaks down essential idioms and grammar for talking about happy memories and family get-togethers.

Ever wondered if a car park view is a good thing? Rory and Maria debate window-gazing, distracting sights, and what your home's outlook says about you. Is a spectacular vista really worth the trouble?

Can a shabby interior be a good thing? Rory tackles tricky questions about where we live, from rustic cottages to towering skyscrapers, and explains why some popular sites are just complete tourist traps.

Rory takes us on a tour of Paris's most iconic landmark! Learn spectacular vocabulary and advanced grammar to describe famous buildings and why they're so special in your IELTS Speaking test.

Think you have to love competition to get a high score? Rory explains how to talk about activities you're not passionate about, using brilliant idioms like 'not my cup of tea' to express dislikes.

Rory dives into the world of modern playthings, from the weirdly popular Labubu to the ethics of advertising. Is it better to buy the latest gadget or just spend more time with your kids?

Rory tells a heartwarming story about a childhood gift from the tooth fairy. Listen as Maria deconstructs his answer, revealing key phrases and grammar you can use to impress the examiner.

Rory reveals he once dreamed of being a vet, but life had other plans! Find out how he uses high-level idioms and phrasal verbs to describe his winding career path, from casual jobs to his current profession.

Stuck describing the great outdoors? Maria shows you how to move beyond parks and trees to discuss urban sprawl and natural habitats, using advanced vocabulary that will get you out of the city and into a Band 9.

Listen as Rory describes a picturesque park from his childhood. Maria breaks down C2 words like 'woodland' and 'acre' to help you sound like a native and boost your lexical resource score!

Is Rory a total homebody who can't stand a night out? Listen as Maria digs into her disastrous bar story and finds out why she avoids painting the town red, offering great vocabulary for your own social life!

Rory tackles tough questions on the obesity crisis and the hidden motives behind corporate sports donations. Can public sports venues truly bring communities together? Find out what the native expert thinks!

Rory describes going to the gym at an 'ungodly hour' not for fitness, but to hang out with pals! Listen to Maria break down his strategy for using specific vocabulary even when you don't know a topic well.

When was the last time you saw a 'wad of cash'? Rory tells Maria why he's gone almost completely cashless and explains how this modern approach to money has 'panned out' for him so far. Will you agree with his habits?

Ever wondered how ads turn kids into tiny agents for brands? Rory reveals the tactics used and how parents can counter them, discussing everything from the 'carrot and stick' approach to who holds more sway.

Rory shares a hilarious story about how a friend talked him into an impromptu trip to Kyrgyzstan! Find out how this reluctant adventure turned into one of his most rewarding experiences ever.

Rory admits he's not a big fan of historical exhibits! Listen as he and Maria break down the essential idioms, phrasal verbs, and grammar you need to talk about your cultural experiences with confidence.

Is it ever okay NOT to say sorry? Rory reveals some C2-level phrasal verbs and idioms to explain why some social mistakes are inexcusable, while for others, you can just let yourself off the hook.

Rory rocks up to his 6:30am yoga class, but the studio is dark and empty. Find out why he waited 25 minutes in the cold and how he reacted when the teacher finally got in touch with an apology!

What's the craziest rule you've ever heard? Rory shares an absolutely wild story about a teacher, a wheelchair, and a fake leg. Maria then hits us with a hilarious bathroom joke to wrap things up.

Rory gets boxed into a corner with a tricky question about men vs. women in business! Learn advanced idioms like "go down the tubes" and master how to discuss advantages and disadvantages for a Band 9 score.

Struggling to describe a person's job? Listen as Rory brings a local bakery owner to life, using top-tier phrases like 'carrying on a legacy' to show you how to craft a compelling, high-scoring story.

Feel like you're always packed in like sardines? Rory shares fantastic native-speaker idioms for describing tight spaces, including one that has Maria completely baffled! Don't miss this jam-packed episode.