Hello everyone! My name is Gulnoza, and I have a little daughter who speaks English very well for her age. I have been learning English literally since childhood and when I decided to prepare for the IELTS exam on maternity leave. The reason behind this decision was that I needed to find a job and I had a plan to apply for University. As I worked at local schools as an English teacher I was required to take an IELTS exam, so I decided to prepare for the exam. When I started thinking about an exam, I knew that I needed to improve my English at first, since I haven't been practising English for two years. In my search for quality resources, I found the Road to IELTS course and the EnglishScore test webpage. I have easily checked my level of English by using the latter while the former allowed me to effectively start my preparations. Most of the time, I worked with my speaking and listening. But, I did not know how to improve my writing skills because I felt that I need local professional teachers for improving my writing and I found a great teacher who helped me to organize my writing and who helped to prepare for an exam with his best methods of writing. Because I tried and took lessons online and offline for understanding the structure of IELTS, I was very confused because there were many materials. My teacher always used British Council materials and authentic books, which lead to improving his English skills and preparation for the exam. The first step I did was going to EnglishScore page and check my level and my level was upper intermediate. In my preparations, I used the Road to IELTS course which is provided for free to all IELTS test takers from British Council. Then, I decided to work with our local professional teacher, and I was so glad that I could find a teacher who was directed to use the best ways to get a score In the IELTS exam, prepare for the exam emotionally, and using the best methods. I had lots of fun preparing for IELTS.
 
On the exam day, I was so worried that speaking will be online, and just because it was my first time taking an exam with British Council I was slightly worried if the network works good. But gladly, my concerns were not true as during the test I felt as though I was at home talking with my teacher and I liked it a lot that the examiner was friendly and open-minded. My listening seemed to me easy, but my writing was a little bit difficult, though, I could write, and the score was what I expected. I liked that exam was very good, everything was working good all the tools and I did not even feel that I am waiting in a long queue and waiting for my turn. I liked a lot the IELTS exam with British Council and after taking my certificate and opening the envelope I found there the IELTS win prize brochure, I was reading it and while telling about it to my brother, and he told me to try applying for it. All the criteria which were asked where appropriate with everything and what was left applying for Webster University and waiting for my acceptance. I could do everything on time by the deadline. I had so much desire to win it because I would have a chance to pay for my studies and be a single mom, and at that time I stayed at home and worked as a translator and prepared for my exam while taking care of my daughter. Not only that, but I did not have a job at that time - only a dream about a Master’s degree. I think I used my time effectively and the program helped me to realize my dream. Furthermore, I could take one step towards my dreams and passions, thanks to the 'IELTS Prize' program. They say when there is a will, there is a way.

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