Many English learners preparing for the CELPIP exam focus on their strengths while neglecting areas that require improvement, particularly speaking skills. This episode highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing weaknesses in language proficiency. A compelling story illustrates how one learner excelled in reading but failed to practice speaking, ultimately hindering their overall progress. By examining the systems we use in our daily practice, listeners are encouraged to shift their focus towards active speaking practice to achieve better results. Reflecting on personal strengths and weaknesses can lead to a more effective study approach and enhanced confidence in speaking English.

The episode delves into the concept of systems in language learning, drawing parallels between everyday routines and preparation strategies for the CELPIP exam. It reinforces the idea that learners often unconsciously develop systems that may not serve their current needs, such as focusing on reading skills while neglecting speaking practice. The narrative encourages listeners to reflect on their own preparation strategies and consider whether they are effectively addressing their language learning goals. Two critical questions are posed: What are your strengths and weaknesses in relation to the CELPIP exam? And how are you addressing your weaknesses in your daily practice? By exploring these questions, learners can recalibrate their study techniques and ensure they are actively working toward improving their speaking skills, which are essential for success in the CELPIP exam.

Takeaways:

• Identify your strengths and weaknesses regarding the CELPIP exam to improve effectively.
• Focus on practicing your weaker language skills daily, rather than sticking to your strengths.
• Creating a balanced study system is essential for overall improvement in language proficiency.
• Recognize that reading alone isn't enough; speaking practice is crucial for the CELPIP exam.
• Evaluate your current preparation system to ensure it addresses your specific areas of weakness.
• Stay aware of the tendency to avoid challenging areas in your learning journey.

Would you like to build an effective CELPIP reading prep system? Join my four week program right here. You'll learn to master some of the most important skills you'll need to ace the reading section of the CELPIP exam.

A month or so ago I had an interesting conversation with someone who is getting ready for the CELPIP exam.

They told me that this was their second attempt at the exam and as we talked I asked them about what they felt they were doing well at and what they felt they were weaker at with their language skills for the exam. And without hesitating they said that their biggest issue was speaking. Everything else seemed to be going well for them.

Our conversation quickly turned to what they were doing to get ready and their response was surprising to me and I'm going to share it with you today so that you can make sure that you're not making this easy to make mistake. Well hello there and welcome to the Speak English Fearlessly Podcast.

This is the podcast for motivated English learners who want to speak English fearlessly and learn practical tips and strategies to conquer the self of exam.

I also love to feature encouraging interviews with regular people, people just like you, who are working towards becoming fluent in English so we can learn from their experiences together. Who am I?

My name is Aaron Nelson and I'm a certified CELPIP trainer and I've been an English teacher for over 17 years and I now help students prepare for the CELPIP exam through online classes. If you're just joining us, hello. Thank you so much for dropping by and for downloading this episode.

I hope that you'll sit back and relax and that what we're talking about today will be helpful and useful for you. And if you are a returning long time listener, I'm so glad that you've come back. Thank you so much for being here again.

I'm so glad that you are here. So new listeners, old listeners, welcome. I hope that today's episode helps you as you are getting ready for your CELPIP exam.

So to continue my story from the beginning, if you remember, my friend had shared that they did pretty well with everything in their CELPIP prep except for their speaking skills. That's where they said they felt the weakest.

And like I said, when we started taking a closer look at what they were doing to prepare, I was startled with what I found out. I read. That's what they said to me when I asked what they do to get ready for the exam.

I love to read books, articles, anything I can get my hands on that is in English. I read it. I love reading. I've learned so many new vocabulary words this way. It's my favorite thing to do. And that was it.

That was their answer for me when I asked what their CELPIP prep program or what they did to prepare for the exam looked like. Now, can you figure out what their problem might be?

Remember they said that they're struggling with their speaking skills, but all they're doing is practicing their reading. So if you're saying they aren't doing anything to practice their speaking skills, then, well, you'd be 100% correct.

And I asked them about it as my next question. Their answer? No, I guess I haven't been practicing that skill very much.

I mean, I do do some speaking practice, like in meetings sometimes or with a few of my friends, but it's for sure not as much as I practice my reading. And that right there is what I want to take a few moments to talk with you about today. Your CELPIP Prep system.

In recent episodes of this podcast, I've talked about systems off and on without going into very much detail. So I thought today I'd begin by making sure that you and I are on the same page when I say the word system.

Systems are not something reserved for large companies, though they often use them. No, we use systems every day of our lives, but we likely don't think about them as being a system, we just do them.

And to clarify, when I say system, I'm talking about the way the Cambridge dictionary defines it. The Cambridge dictionary defines system, and I quote, a way of doing things.

In other words, systems are day to day actions that you perform to achieve some outcome. We agreed. Same page. All right. Okay, next, I want you to notice that we all use systems.

Like I said a few moments ago, we just don't tend to look at them as being systems. And those systems are all working to help us achieve specific results that we need them to achieve.

For example, we have a system, a way of doing things that helps us to shop for groceries each week. We have a system that we follow that helps us get ready for our day every morning from getting cleaned up, dressed and fed.

We all follow certain ways of doing things systems in order to get those things done efficiently. You do it, I do it. We all do it.

And since you're listening to this podcast, I want to point out that you also have a system that you are using to get ready for the CELPIP exam or to build your English skills. Remember, your system is what you're doing each day to prepare for the exam.

My friend, the one I introduced you to at the beginning, who loves reading, is also following a system. Their system is almost exclusively focused on reading, and it's doing a great job at helping them build and develop their reading skills.

That reading focused system might have been perfect for them when they were weak readers in English. But now their needs have changed, haven't they? They no longer need strong reading skills. They already have them.

Instead, they need to strengthen their speaking skills. So what do they need to do? You got it. I know you know the answer to this, and I bet you might even be saying it out loud.

They need to start doing focused work on practicing their speaking skills each day, not more reading. My friend's current system isn't shaped in this way and that's why they aren't improving their speaking skills. It makes total sense, doesn't it?

But you know what? This kind of thing happens all the time.

It's easy to become comfortable with a way of doing things to the point where we only focus on those comfortable skills and ignore all the rest. And then we wonder why the other areas are not getting any better. And that's what I want to leave you with today. A couple of questions.

And these questions will only help you if you can answer them honestly. So here they are. Question number one. What are your CELPIP strengths and what are your areas of weakness? Take a moment and think about it.

Where are you weak and where do you feel strong when it comes to getting ready for the self up exam? Here's my next question. What are you doing each day to focus your practice on your areas of weakness?

If you've already done a practice exam or the real exam, then you have a pretty good idea of where you're weak and where you're strong.

Make sure your self prep system has you focused on working on and practicing the areas where you're weak instead of staying comfortably in your areas of strength. Like I said, it sounds totally obvious, doesn't it?

But honestly, committing these kinds of errors of staying safe instead of leaning into areas of weakness is a common system mistake that many test takers and English learners make make. Thank you so much for listening to this week's podcast.

I hope that it has helped you to take a closer look at your English learning or Celpip prep system. I hope that you'll come back next Tuesday for the next episode. Have a great week. Bye.