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When preparing for the major IELTS test, people would always tell you to take frequent practice tests, familiarize yourself with the various formats, and learn about the question types.
While all of that is useful, one thing they don’t tell you is how reading books can also play a massive part in improving your written and spoken use of the English Language.
Not only will this aid in your exam pre but your general English speaking skills as well. This may then be taken beyond the examination room and out into the world—in school and even in your career.
Here’s a curated selection of 6 books that can help test takers speak and write English with ease and confidence. Ready to show the examiners your communication skills? Read on!
Want a book that tackles multiple English language concepts all at once? Look no further than Michelle Finlay’s ‘Everyday English’.
Designed for both native and non-native English speakers alike, this book is filled with easily digestible rules and tips on punctuation, grammar, sentence structure and more.
Instead of spoonfeeding readers everything there is to know about the language, it simply offers guidance on several areas and encourages them to put the pieces together on their own.
This includes communicating with clarity, writing letters, and the list goes on.
In this comprehensive guide to English grammar, readers will be able to dissect and understand various grammar rules and concepts with better ease.
The book provides a series of practice books and guides, which cover the skills and topics required for all major global English examinations like IELTS. It also supports English learning at all levels from beginner to advanced.
With sentence formation guides, sample language examples, and more, these resources can help readers have a clear, visual understanding of some complex English sentences and phrases and why they are formed in a certain way.
Ultimately, you’ll be crafting your sentences across all contexts and conversations in no time.
Just as the title suggests, this book is a full-on intermediate course into the intricacies of pronunciation in the English language.
This comprehensive guidebook goes through the proper and systematic practice of English pronunciation, which helps readers distinguish similar sounds and words through different practice exercises and activities.
This practice is only made easier with the audiobooks that come along with the book. However, do take note that the voice in the audio CDs does take on a heavier British accent, which may be challenging for some readers to understand.
If you fall in the beginner category and are just getting started with your English language journey, you may want to skip this one in the meantime.
This book has been dubbed a classic in the field of communications and is still being used by professors across different communication degree courses around the world.
‘The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking’ focuses heavily on how to speak in a public speaking context. This book aims to equip readers with the necessary skills needed to draw a crowd, engage an audience, and get your message across effectively.
These practices can be used in a variety of contexts including social settings, personal conversations, and even in business meetings.
While this resource isn’t entirely focused on the technical aspects of the English language like grammar and sentence forming, it teaches readers to hone their public speaking abilities and build their confidence while they’re at it.
Just as Dale Carnegie says, “Good public speakers are made, not born”.
For those preparing for their IELTS speaking test, this is the ultimate resource for you.
This book breaks down complex concepts of grammar, syntax, pronunciation, and word usage into simpler frameworks, making it much easier for non-native English speakers to understand.
With clear and helpful instructions as well as tailored exercises for each section, readers are highly encouraged to put what they learned into practice by forming personalized conversations.
With consistent practice and hard work, you’ll be one step closer to gaining a more confident style of speaking and passing your IELTS speaking test!
While the other books have a strong focus on concepts like pronunciation and public speaking, this last one has a heavy emphasis on collocations.
According to Author Michael McCarthy, a collocation is a “combination of works which frequently appear together”. To give you a better idea, some examples include phrases such as ‘crystal clear’, ‘best possible’, and ‘do not harm’.
This book will allow readers of varying difficulty levels to learn and understand collocations in context, and teach them to be confident in using them in daily written and spoken conversations.
Since the IELTS exam often tests students on their knowledge of collocations, this would be an extremely useful resource for them.
As the most widely used language in the world, honing your use of the English language will help you in a plethora of ways in life—especially in your IELTS test for university entry.
And if you are lost or need more help, our experts are here to assist you!
In addition, you also check out our whole host of IELTS resources available to guide you through the formats and get you as ready as possible for the tests.
These include our Masterclass Webinars, our Preparation Course and tips from IELTS experts to get started!
And once you are ready, book your IELTS test with us today!
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