Get 7 or Higher on IELTS Listening Using TED Talks

Scoring a Band 7 or higher on the IELTS Listening module is a goal for many test-takers, and it’s no secret why—it opens doors to education, immigration, and career opportunities worldwide. But what if there were an engaging, free, and effective way to practice your listening skills? TED Talks are the way to go.

Why Use TED Talks for IELTS Listening?

Preparing for the IELTS Listening test requires exposure to diverse accents, real-world topics, and complex ideas — and TED Talks provide all that and more! With thousands of talks on various topics, they are the perfect resource to enhance your listening skills while keeping you engaged. Whether you're aiming for an IELTS Band Score 7 or higher, this guide will show you how to use TED Talks effectively in your preparation.

Benefits of Using TED Talks for IELTS Listening

TED Talks are ideal for IELTS Listening prep for several reasons:

1. Diverse Accents: TED speakers come from around the globe, exposing you to British, American, Australian, and other accents commonly heard in the IELTS Listening test.
2. Wide Range of Topics: Topics in TED Talks often overlap with IELTS themes like technology, education, health, and environment.
3. Improved Vocabulary: The rich language used in TED Talks can help expand your vocabulary and familiarize you with academic and conversational terms.
4. Active Listening Practice: By following complex ideas, you’ll improve your ability to listen for specific details and main ideas — crucial skills for the test.
5. Real-Life Contexts: TED Talks mimic real-life conversations and presentations, preparing you for authentic listening scenarios.

How to Use TED Talks for IELTS Listening Preparation?

1. Start with the Right Talks

Choose talks that match the themes commonly found in IELTS Listening. Some popular topics include:

• Education: Ken Robinson - Do Schools Kill Creativity?
• Technology: Sherry Turkle - Connected, But Alone?
• Environment: Al Gore - The Case for Optimism on Climate Change

2. Practice Active Listening

• Step 1: Watch the talk without subtitles to test your comprehension.
• Step 2: Replay with subtitles to check for missed information.
• Step 3: Take notes on key points, main ideas, and examples.
• Step 4: Summarize the talk in your own words to ensure full understanding.

3. Build Vocabulary

• Focus on Keywords: Identify new words and phrases relevant to IELTS topics.
• Create Flashcards: Use apps like Anki or Quizlet to review vocabulary.
• Learn Context Usage: Pay attention to how words are used in context.

4. Develop Accent Familiarity

Listen to talks by speakers from different regions. This will prepare you for the various accents featured in the IELTS Listening test.

5. Mimic Test Conditions

• Play a TED Talk segment and answer IELTS-style questions (e.g., multiple-choice, sentence completion).
• Use official IELTS Listening practice materials to create realistic test scenarios.

Sample TED Talks for IELTS Preparation

Here are some TED Talks tailored to common IELTS themes:

1. Education:
   • "How to Escape Education’s Death Valley" by Ken Robinson
   • "Teach Every Child About Food" by Jamie Oliver
2. Environment:
   • "The Surprising Solution to Ocean Plastic" by David Katz
   • "Why Climate Change is a Threat to Human Rights" by Mary Robinson
3. Health:
   • "What Makes a Good Life?" by Robert Waldinger
   • "How We’re Helping Kids Stay Safe Online" by Baroness Beeban Kidron
4. Technology:
   • "The Mind Behind Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity" by Elon Musk
   • "How AI is Making It Easier to Diagnose Diseases" by Pratik Shah

How to Improve Vocabulary with TED Talks?

TED Talks are a goldmine for vocabulary building. Follow these steps:

• Contextual Learning: Note how speakers use words in context, improving your ability to infer meanings.
• Synonyms and Paraphrasing: Pay attention to how ideas are rephrased, a key skill for IELTS.
• Collocations: Learn phrases commonly used in English, such as “make an effort” or “take responsibility.”

Recommended TED Talks for IELTS Preparation

Here are some TED Talks that align well with IELTS topics:

• “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” by Sir Ken Robinson: Education-focused.
• “How to Live Before You Die” by Steve Jobs: Personal development and motivation.
• “The Power of Vulnerability” by Brené Brown: Psychology and human behavior.

Additional Tips for Success

1. Use TED-Ed: Many TED Talks come with lesson plans and comprehension questions to help you practice.
2. Set Goals: Aim to watch one TED Talk daily and focus on different skills each time (e.g., vocabulary, detail recognition).
3. Record Yourself: Repeat parts of the talk aloud to improve pronunciation and fluency.
4. Combine Resources: Supplement TED Talks with IELTS-specific listening materials for a well-rounded approach.
5. Track Progress: Keep a journal to note improvements in comprehension and vocabulary.

Using TED Talks as part of your IELTS Listening preparation is a smart and engaging way to build your skills. From improving your vocabulary to getting familiar with various accents, these talks offer everything you need to achieve a band 7 or higher. Start incorporating TED Talk into your daily routine, and watch your listening skills soar!

Also Check:

• IELTS Listening Table Completion Tips
• IELTS Listening Note Completion Tips
• IELTS Listening 2024 Flow Chart Completion
• IELTS Listening Summary Completion Task
• IELTS Listening Answer Short Question