On March 29th,the Office of International Affairs organized an IELTS activity aimed at preparing students for the upcoming IELTS test. The activity was planned by Palwasha Shah and it took place in Room WH1404 from 12pm to 2pm, spanning a duration of 2 hours. A total of 30 students and 11 teachers participated in the activity. To ensure efficient management and effective instruction, tables were set up in the room, with each table consisting of one teacher and one student.

The activity provided students with an opportunity to practice their English skills, as well as to discuss and learn new topics. The activity focused on Part II and Part III of the IELTS exam, covering a variety of topics within a short period of time.

For Part II of the IELTS exam, the teacher provided a topic to the student and allotted 1 minute for preparation. After the preparation time, the student had 2 minutes to speak about the given topic. This exercise aimed to assess the student's ability to articulate their thoughts and ideas in a coherent manner.

For Part III, the teacher asked the student three questions related to the topic discussed in Part II. This segment aimed to evaluate the student's depth of understanding and ability to engage in a meaningful discussion. The allotted time for Part II was 5-6 minutes.

Each teacher was responsible for assessing and grading the student's performance based on the provided grading chart. The grading criteria encompassed the following aspects: Fluency & Coherence, Grammatically Range & Accuracy, Lexical Resource, and Pronunciation. A total of 40 marks were allocated for grading purposes. To ensure diversity in topic selection, teachers were allocated three different topics, selected from the current IELTS curriculum.

Overall, the IELTS speaking activity served as a valuable opportunity for students to practice their English skills and gain confidence in their abilities. The structured format of the activity enabled efficient use of time and ensured that all students were provided with equal opportunities for learning and assessment.

We extend our gratitude to the teachers, attending the activity, for their dedication and commitment in facilitating the process. Such initiatives play a vital role in preparing students for the IELTS test and enhancing their English proficiency.

(Contributor: Palwasha; Reviewer: Hanxiao Guan, Qiang Bai; Web Editor: Palwasha)