Surprising, Unexpected but Powerful Advice For Effective CELPIP Practice

Effective CELPIP practice is frequent practice.

It’s not about how long each practice session is. In fact, thinking that your practice sessions MUST be long to be effective is actually the fastest way NOT to practice at all.

Long usually also means uninterrupted and quiet.

But in reality, if your life is anything like mine, long uninterrupted and quiet spaces happen rarely, if ever.

And if long, uninterrupted quiet is what you’re waiting for, then likely you won’t be practicing nearly enough to achieve the score you’re looking for.

Instead: Focus on Frequency.

The other day my physiotherapist gave me a mini masterclass on why frequent 2-3 minute stretching throughout my day is more important than one or two long stretching sessions.

His top two lessons?

1. Short Is Doable!

And when something is doable, it gets done. With my stretching, I need more of it to combat my lower back pain.

I have tried following long exercise routines that are 20 or 30 minutes long, and failed pretty much every time.

Why?
They were too long to fit into the small spaces of my life.

The same is true for your English or CELPIP practice.

Change your mindset from thinking you need massive hours long sessions to be effective.

Chances are you won’t get those hour long blocks of time.

But you will get 5 minutes. And 5 minutes can turn into a powerful CELPIP practice session. Want an idea for a quick practice session? Try this.

2. Combine. Don’t Add!

Combine your practice with something you’re already doing. Your objective? Have more 2-3 minute practice sessions while doing what you’re already doing.

I have a few stretches that I can do while I’m doing something else like reading an email or listening to a Zoom meeting.

That’s another secret for someone like you who has a packed schedule: look for ways to combine your English or CELPIP practice with something you’re already doing.

• A long commute can turn into a fantastic listening skills practice session.
• Lunch breaks can turn into focused speaking skills sessions as you eat with coworkers.
• Even prepping your morning coffee can turn into an opportunity to talk about something from your past.

The challenge is to notice those normal everyday moments and use them!

To sum it all up:

Keep your practice sessions short because short is doable.

Combine your practice sessions with something you’re already doing, instead of trying to add it onto your already packed schedule.