Thursday, 31 October 2019
Where to get Degree Programs in Foreign Language in India?
Tuesday, 15 October 2019
How to score higher band in IELTS exam?
Scoring a high band in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam requires effective preparation, a clear understanding of the exam format, and consistent practice.
The IELTS exam is divided into four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, each contributing equally to your overall score. We at Palium Skills offer courses for IELTS exam preparation and Spoken English.
Based on our past experience, to score well, you'll need to perform well in all four areas.
Here are some detailed strategies to help you achieve a high band score in each section:
General Tips for All Sections
1. Understand the Band Descriptors:
- IELTS scoring is based on a 9-band scale, where Band 9 is an expert level and Band 1 is a non-user of English.
- Be aware of what each band means in terms of your language proficiency. Understanding the specific criteria for scoring will help you tailor your preparation.
2. Time Management:
- All sections of the IELTS exam are timed. Learn how to manage time effectively, as this can make a big difference in your performance, particularly in the reading and writing sections.
3. Practice with Real IELTS Materials:
- Use official IELTS practice tests and materials from recognized sources. This helps familiarize you with the format and question types.
4. Improve Vocabulary and Grammar:
- A wide range of vocabulary and proper grammar are essential for scoring higher. Avoid using very simple vocabulary and aim for a variety of sentence structures in your writing and speaking.
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1. Listening
The Listening section consists of 4 recordings (dialogues and monologues) and has 40 questions in total. You’ll listen to each recording once and answer the questions based on what you hear.
Tips to score higher in Listening:
- Practice Listening to Different Accents: IELTS uses a variety of English accents (British, Australian, American, etc.). Practice listening to different types of English to get used to diverse pronunciation styles.
- Focus on Keywords: In the listening section, keywords in the questions will help guide you to the correct answer. Pay attention to the words and phrases used in the questions, as they often appear in the recording.
- Take Notes: While listening, make quick notes of important details (names, numbers, dates, etc.). This helps when answering detailed questions.
- Listen for Synonyms: The answers are not always exact matches to the questions. Sometimes, the words used in the audio may be synonyms or paraphrases of the words in the questions.
- Avoid Overthinking: If you miss a question, don't dwell on it. Focus on the next one because you will get to hear the audio only once.
Practice Resources:
- Listen to English podcasts, watch movies, and follow news channels in English to get used to listening to various speeds and accents.
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2. Reading
The Reading section consists of 3 long texts, with a total of 40 questions. The texts get progressively more difficult, and the questions range from multiple choice to true/false/not given.
Tips to score higher in Reading:
- Skim and Scan: Don’t read word-for-word. Skim through the text to get the general idea, and then scan for specific information related to the questions.
- Understand the Question Types: Familiarize yourself with the different question formats (e.g., multiple choice, matching headings, fill-in-the-blanks). Each type requires a different approach.
- Pay Attention to Time: You have 60 minutes to answer 40 questions. Allocate your time wisely and don't spend too long on any one question.
- Practice with Time Limits: Regular practice under timed conditions is essential. Try to complete reading tests in under an hour, so you get accustomed to the time pressure.
- Don’t Overthink: If you're unsure of an answer, make an educated guess and move on. The reading test is designed to be tricky, and overthinking can waste precious time.
Practice Resources:
- Use IELTS practice materials or reading comprehension tests available online. Regular practice with different kinds of texts (e.g., academic articles, newspaper stories, etc.) will improve your reading skills.
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3. Writing
The Writing section has two tasks:
- Task 1: A graph, chart, or diagram where you summarize information (for Academic IELTS) or write a letter (for General Training IELTS).
- Task 2: An essay where you address a problem, opinion, or discussion.
Tips to score higher in Writing:
- Task Achievement and Response: In Task 1, make sure you summarize the data accurately, and in Task 2, ensure you answer the question completely. Stay on topic and avoid irrelevant information.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Structure your writing logically. Use clear paragraphs, and connect ideas with linking words (e.g., furthermore, however, because). Don’t jump between unrelated points.
- Grammatical Range: Use a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound, complex). Avoid repetitive sentence patterns.
- Vocabulary: Use a range of vocabulary. Avoid repeating the same words; instead, use synonyms where appropriate.
- Time Management: Spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2. Task 2 has more weight, so allocate more time to it.
- Plan Your Essays: Spend a few minutes planning your writing. Make sure you have a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Proofread: Always leave a couple of minutes to check for errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
Practice Resources:
- Write essays and reports regularly. You can find sample questions and prompts online. Use feedback from teachers or tutors to improve.
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4. Speaking
The Speaking section is a one-on-one interview with an examiner, which takes about 11-14 minutes. It’s divided into 3 parts:
- Part 1: Introduction and general questions (e.g., about your hometown, hobbies, etc.).
- Part 2: Speaking for 1-2 minutes on a given topic (you get a minute to prepare).
- Part 3: Discussion based on the theme of Part 2, where the examiner asks more abstract questions.
Tips to score higher in Speaking:
- Fluency: Speak clearly and naturally. Don’t rush, but also avoid long pauses. If you don’t know the answer, try to talk around the topic.
- Pronunciation: While perfect pronunciation is not required, make sure that your speech is clear. Practice pronunciation of difficult words and focus on intonation and stress.
- Vocabulary: Use a variety of words and phrases. Avoid repeating the same words too often.
- Answer Fully: Don’t give short, yes/no answers. Expand your answers with explanations or examples.
- Practice Speaking Regularly: Speak English daily. Practice with a speaking partner or tutor. If possible, try to have conversations with native speakers.
- Stay Calm: The speaking test is conversational, so don’t be nervous. Take a deep breath and focus on the content of your answers.
Practice Resources:
- Use online platforms like italki or Preply to have mock speaking tests with native speakers. You can also practice with a friend or tutor.
Additional Strategies
1. Take Practice Tests: Regularly take full-length IELTS practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format and timing.
2. Focus on Weak Areas: Identify your weaknesses in listening, reading, writing, or speaking and focus on improving those areas.
3. Use Official IELTS Resources: Use books like the Cambridge IELTS series, official practice materials from the British Council or IDP, or apps like IELTS Prep to simulate real test conditions.
4. Stay Positive and Manage Stress: Test anxiety can affect your performance. Stay calm, and remember that practice and preparation are the keys to success.
By following the above strategies and consistently practicing, you can improve your chances of scoring a higher band on the IELTS exam.
Palium Skills offer courses for IELTS exam preparation and Spoken English that help individuals to score higher.
Monday, 14 October 2019
FAQs about IELTS
Questions about IELTS :
1- What is the IELTS exam? The IELTS is an English Proficiency test governed by IDP, It has 4 Modules i.e. Listening, Reading, WRiting and Speaking.
2- Types of IELTS Exam.
There are Majorly two types of IELTS :
• IELTS Academic : For Study Visa, usually for Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs
• IELTS General : For Non Academic Purposes i.e as PR, Job and others
3-What is LRWS : LRWS means;
There are Majorly two types of IELTS :
• Listening: : 30 minutes
• Reading: : 60 minutes
• Writing: : 60 minutes
• Speaking : 11–14 minutes
4- What is Band in IELTS ? :
Band is IELTS defines your Ability as a user in English Language
• 0 Band : Did not Appear
• 1 Band: : No capacity
• 2 Band: : Very Basic User
• 3 Band : Beginne
• 4 Band : Limited User
• 5 Band : Modest User
• 6 Band : Effective User
• 7 Band : Good User
• 8 Band : Excellent User
• 9 Band : Perfect User
5- Validity of IELTS ? :
6- Can I take the IELTS more than 1 time ? :
There is no restriction to give IELTS exams, Which
Means you may take IELTS exams as many Times as you Like. It generally
takes place twice every month.
7- What is the IELTS exam Fee ? :
The Current Fee for IELTS Exam is 17,000 INR
8- What Documents are Needed for IELTS ? :
The Only Document that you require to book IELTS
exam is your Passport, Without Passport, you can not book IELTS Exam.
9- What is IELTS Life skill ? :
IELTS Life skill is designed for People with very
limited ability of English Language, It is only demanded under certain
situations i.e Spouse visa or so. It consists only 2 modules i.e
Listening and Writing
Why Palium Skills for IELTS :
• Excellent faculty
• Enjoy Hybrid Training( Online + Offline)
• Most Reasonable Training Courses
• Complementary Grammar and Vocabulary Support
• Complementary assistance in Study abroad counselling and further visa related Process
• Unmatched Success Ratio
• Classes available for Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish,
Sunday, 6 October 2019
Microsoft Excel Training – Basic to Advanced
🧮 Microsoft Excel Training – Basic to Advanced
Offered by Palium Skills, Kolkata
Excel skills are essential for students, professionals, and businesses. Palium Skills offers structured Basic and Advanced Excel Training programs — available in both Classroom (Kolkata) and Live Online modes — to help participants master Excel for real-world applications.
📘 Basic Excel Training
Duration: 12 Hours
Mode: Classroom / Live Online
Level: Beginner
Course Overview
This course introduces participants to Microsoft Excel’s interface, tools, and functions. It focuses on building confidence in managing data, formatting, calculations, and charts.
Course Modules
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Getting Started with Excel
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Excel interface, workbooks, and worksheets
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Data entry, navigation, and editing
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Formatting and Layout
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Formatting cells, rows, and columns
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Using number formats, borders, and alignment
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Basic Formulas & Functions
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Introduction to relative & absolute references
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Data Management
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Freezing panes, hiding/unhiding sheets
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Charts & Conditional Formatting
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Creating column, bar, pie, and line charts
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Applying conditional formatting rules
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Printing & Page Setup
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Page layout, print areas, and headers/footers
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Key Highlights
✅ Hands-on exercises
✅ Step-by-step guided practice
✅ Certificate of Completion
Learning Outcome
Participants will be able to prepare reports, use formulas efficiently, and present data clearly in charts and tables.
📗 Advanced Excel Training
Duration: 16 Hours
Mode: Classroom / Live Online
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Course Overview
This course takes Excel skills to the next level — teaching participants how to analyze data, use complex functions, and create interactive dashboards.
Course Modules
Basic Excel Brushup
Cell Referencing
Hyperlink
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Data Tools & Validation
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Conditional Formatting
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Consolidation and subtotals
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Advanced Functions & Formulas
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Text, Date, and Array functions
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Logical (IF, AND, OR, IFERROR)
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PivotTables & PivotCharts
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Data Analysis Techniques
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Advanced Visualization
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Conditional formatting with formulas
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Sparklines and advanced charting
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Automation with Macros (VBA Intro)
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Recording and running macros
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Introduction to VBA concepts
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Data Protection & Collaboration
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Linking and sharing workbooks
Key Highlights
✅ Real-life case studies & exercises
✅ Excel Dashboard creation
✅ Course completion certificate
Learning Outcome
Participants will be able to handle large datasets, automate repetitive tasks, and design professional dashboards for business reporting.
🎓 Why Learn with Palium Skills?
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Experienced corporate trainers
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Small batch sizes for personalized attention
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Both offline (Kolkata) and live online options available
📞 Contact Palium Skills
Phone: +91 84205 94969 / +91 70448 71915
Email: info@paliumskills.com
Website: www.paliumskills.com
Start mastering Excel today — the skill that every professional needs!
