(Check the meaning of the highlighted C1-level words and phrases in the glossary at the bottom of the post!)
Something new
Welcome to a new series of blog posts from Last Minute English! In them, we celebrate success stories from current and former students, showing you real-life examples of how our courses help English learners to achieve their goals.
Of course, success means different things to different people. A major part of our mission is making sure that we help our students with their specific English needs, whatever they may be. From growing in confidence to passing that all-important English exam, our students and graduates are constantly making strides and becoming competent, capable users of the English language.
Indeed, a highlight of any teacher’s working life is watching students develop as time goes by. Most days, we receive messages from happy graduates who have got the score they needed in IELTS, or been offered a place at their first-choice university. Instead of keeping these accomplishments to ourselves, we’ve decided to share these stories of triumph from around the world!
What to expect
So how will it work? We’ve interviewed some of our most successful current and former students, and will let their journeys inspire you as you continue improving your English skills. You might be especially interested in this series if you:
- Are a current Last Minute English student deciding what to do after your course
- Aren’t sure which Last Minute English course to choose
- Haven’t yet decided if the online format will work for you
- Are studying independently and want to hear from others who’ve been in your shoes
- Plan to take an important English exam soon
- Want to find out more about our community
- Need a bit of inspiration.
- Have had a bad day and want to be cheered up!
So, whether you’re preparing for IELTS, working on your fluency, or anything in-between, this series will give you that uplifting boost that you’re looking for!
Who’s first up?
Our first interview subjects are married South African couple Danika and Paul. Native Afrikaans speakers, they both needed to demonstrate their level of English by passing the IELTS test. Not being familiar with the structure, they turned to Last Minute English, and naturally we were only too happy to help!
Danika and Paul took their IELTS General Training preparation course together from the comfort of their own home. Thanks to their hard work, and the support of experienced Last Minute English teacher, Francis Carlisle, they were able achieve the results they needed. In fact, they even exceeded the score they had been aiming for!
Read on to find out all about Danika and Paul’s journey with Last Minute English. You’ll even get some pro study tips from students who’ve been there and done that!
Names: Danika and Paul Marx
Nationality: South Africa
Course taken: IELTS General Training
Why did you decide to take a course with Last Minute English?
Paul: My main goal was to obtain as high a score as possible for the IELTS test, and I realized that l would need help and guidance to achieve this. A little bit of research led to finding Last Minute English and it made all the difference in my IELTS score.
Danika: I wanted to receive teaching and training from a hands-on course. After extensive research, I found Last Minute English and I was not disappointed.
What did you learn?
Paul: I learned how to structure my thoughts and my answers much more clearly. And also the fundamentals of how to write a good essay and effectively using the amount of words allowed.
Danika: I learned the layout of the test and how to answer questions in IELTS. Another vital skill that Francis taught me is the layout of a great essay and what the examiners look for.
How were your experiences of studying online?
Paul: It was great. We could learn from the comfort of our home, and using screen sharing made it easy to follow notes and comments on the work we did.
Danika: Fantastic. Francis was a clear and prompt communicator, which made the experience worthwhile.
What was the best thing about the course?
Paul: The quality and speed of the feedback that we received on the work that we handed in.
Danika: I enjoyed the feedback after submitting the homework. This really added to my skill bank and aided in a better understanding of English technicalities.
What have you used your English for since finishing the course (work, studies, travel etc.)?
Paul: I have used the skills that I learned at my work, when writing reports. As well as improving my overall communication skills.
Danika: Other than the IELTS test, I have used what I learned for my studies as well as everyday communication.
What advice would you give to a new Last Minute English student?
Paul: Remember to practise often and use the resources that Francis provides, it really helps a lot.
Danika: Do the homework and the courses. It’s all so worth it!
Are there any courses you’d like to take in the future?
Danika: I’m considering taking the IELTS Academic at some point in the future.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us about your Last Minute English experience?
Paul: Francis really made every class enjoyable, he is very easy to talk to and his advice is always helpful. He made it feel like he really wants us to do well in the IELTS test and I really appreciated all his efforts to get the best out of us.
A pat on the back
Not literally, of course! We use this expression to say we are congratulating someone. And we are – the first thing we’d like to say after interviewing Danika and Paul is a huge well done! The IELTS is a challenging exam which tests all the key English skills, so it’s a great accomplishment to get the scores you need.
Other takeaways
So, what else have we learnt from hearing about Danika and Paul’s journey? First of all, we couldn’t agree more with their study tips. Both focused on the importance of practising your English outside of your lesson time.
Danika talked about the suggested homework activities. Putting some effort into these is a really sensible idea as they will give you structured practice of the material you’ve been learning in your lessons. They will also help to consolidate your understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and exam structure.
Similarly, Paul mentioned taking advantage of other opportunities to use your English. Even if you’re short on time, there’s always something you can do to squeeze a little practice into your day. As well as all the resources that come as part of your Last Minute English course, perhaps you could listen to a podcast on your commute to work? Or, you might want to watch a couple of YouTube shorts before bed. Remember, it’s always better to do a little than nothing at all.
Both our successful former graduates also commented on how Last Minute English had helped them achieve their goals. We pride ourselves on offering courses which are:
- Written by our team of experts
- Delivered by a highly experienced English teacher
- Designed to take you step-by-step through the necessary material
- Engaging and enjoyable
- Affordable (starting from just $13.99)
- Risk-free, with our 30-day guarantee.
Stay tuned!
We hope you have enjoyed learning about our graduates’ journeys as much as we have enjoyed sharing them. Keep an eye on the Last Minute English blog for the next instalment, where you’ll hear from another of our successful students. Until then, happy studying!
To find out more about how Last Minute English can help you achieve success in IELTS, visit our website.
If you’d like to talk to someone about the best IELTS course for you, click here.
For our full range of IELTS preparation courses, visit us on Udemy.
Glossary
Make strides (v.) – advance quickly
Triumph (n.) – a big success
“In your shoes” – an expression used to say that you’re seeing things from someone else’s perspective
Cheer up (v.) – make someone feel happier
Boost (n.) – a sudden increase
Pro (adj.) – (informal) professional
“Been there, done that” – an expression used to say that you’re experienced in a given area
Worthwhile (adj.) – positive and meaningful
Takeaway (n.) – an important thing to remember after a text, talk, presentation etc.
Squeeze in (v.) – make something fit when there’s only just enough time or space
