IELTS Cram Workshop with IDP and WSC

Today marks our 3rd collaboration between IDP and WSC, delivering an IELTS cram workshop to around 70 Chinese students from New Channel International School. The day commenced with a pretest in the morning, paving the way for an engaging workshop session in the afternoon.

My team, comprised of Aj Richard, Aj Da, and Aj Ae, arrived slightly ahead of schedule, our ritual to ensure everything was set in place. However, this time, a delightful surprise awaited us – a sea of diligent Chinese students from diverse cities, assembled both inside and outside the conference room, their enthusiasm palpable as they eagerly awaited the commencement of our workshop.

Before officially launching the workshop, our amiable chaperone from New Channel, "Khun Allan," discreetly shared his observation that students might be a touch reticent to express their thoughts in class, a trait common among Asian students, including Thais. Yet, much to my heartening astonishment, the majority, if not all, of the students engaged with me exuberantly, leaving me doubting Allan's apprehensions.

What was initially intended as a 5-minute ice-breaking activity evolved into a near 20-minute exchange of thoughts and succinct self-introductions from numerous students. Naturally, this led me to briskly navigate through my IELTS writing PowerPoint, ensuring that the students were armed with essential insights and strategies before the impending official test.

The latter part of the workshop was orchestrated by Aj Richard, deftly acquainting students with the key aspects of the speaking test. I couldn't help but sense that the majority of the new-generation Chinese students are more inclined to engage in English discourse compared to their Thai counterparts. Undoubtedly, nervousness occasionally surfaced when summoned to voice opinions or answer queries, but their willingness to participate and exert effort was evident.

The synergy of my team's collaboration with Allan's was the backbone of this workshop's success. Aj Da and Aj Ae's artful graphics, along with their guidance and interactions with students during group sessions, were indispensable. Witnessing this seamless coordination enriched the productivity and value of the workshop for all attendees.

Throughout the session, a recurring question posed by the students was how they could enhance their English proficiency within a limited timeframe. While I wish I had the definitive answer, what I do know is that mastery of not only English but any language demands time. Encouragingly, while constructing the Great Wall of China spanned millennia, constructing a sturdy foundation in English will likely require a fraction of that time.

Remember, consistency triumphs over intensity!

~Aj Zack~