Note-taking. What is it and why do we need to know how to do it? Why and how is it relevant to language proficiency tests like IELTS and PTE Academic?
We often hear high-school and university students talk about notetaking. To an extent, we can all relate and understand why students who have large volumes of content to study and memorize need to have note-taking as a skill.
We aren’t preparing for a Biology or History exam, so why do those of us who are preparing for English language tests like IELTS being told we need this skill?
Let’s break it down:
1. WHAT is note-taking? Note-taking is the practice of recording key information, main points, or important details from spoken or written sources such as lectures, presentations, textbooks, or conversations. It involves actively listening or reading and summarizing information in a concise and organized manner, often using abbreviated phrases, keywords, or symbols to capture essential content.
2. WHY do we need to know how to do it? Note-taking serves as a method for enhancing comprehension, retaining information, and facilitating review and reference later on.
3. WHY and HOW is it relevant to IELTS/PTE preparation?
a. Listening Comprehension: In both IELTS and PTE Academic, the listening section evaluates your ability to understand spoken English. Effective note-taking helps you capture key points, main ideas, and supporting details while listening to audio recordings. This ensures that you don't miss important information and can answer questions accurately.
b. Reading Comprehension: Note-taking isn't limited to just the listening section. It's also beneficial for the reading section. When skimming through lengthy passages, jotting down key words or phrases can help you quickly locate information when answering questions. This enhances your comprehension and saves time during the exam.
c. Organizing Information: English proficiency tests often require you to summarize information or express ideas coherently. Note-taking encourages you to organize your thoughts and observations in a structured manner, making it easier to convey your ideas effectively in writing or speaking tasks.
d. Active Engagement: Taking notes requires active engagement with the material. This helps in better retention and understanding of the content. When you actively listen or read with the intention of capturing key points, you're more likely to remember and comprehend the information, which is essential for performing well on the test.
e. Reference Material for Tasks: During the test, you're often required to refer back to the information provided in the listening or reading passages when completing tasks. Your notes serve as valuable reference material, allowing you to quickly locate relevant details without having to re-listen or re-read the entire passage.
f. Time Management: Time is a critical factor in English proficiency tests. Effective note-taking can save you time by helping you stay focused and organized. Rather than trying to remember everything, you can rely on your notes to guide you through the exam efficiently.
But how?! HOW does one start learning or improving note-taking as a skill? *taken from my guidebook, "Essential Skills for Adults to Ace English Language Proficiency Tests"
• Active Listening: Engage and Capture:
Active listening is key to successful notetaking. Focus on the speaker, be attentive and actively participate in the learning process. Capture the main ideas, key concepts, and supporting details, rather than trying to transcribe everything verbatim (don’t try to write every single word down – just try to write down what you understood from what was said!).
• Abbreviations and Symbols: Condense and Simplify:
Learn to use abbreviations and symbols to condense information. This will not only save time while taking notes but also improve your writing/typing speed. Develop your own set of shorthand techniques to represent commonly used terms or phrases. You could even research shorthand techniques online.
• Structured Organization: Headings and Hierarchy:
Organize your notes with clear headings, subheadings and bullet/numbered points. Create a flow of information to visually represent the relationships between different ideas. Structured organization will facilitate easier review and comprehension of the material. It could be as simple as underlining titles or writing/typing in different colours!
• Keywords and Key Phrases Identify and Highlight:
Identify keywords and key phrases that represent the main ideas and concepts being discussed. Highlight or underline them in your notes to quickly locate and review essential information later.
• Paraphrasing: Understand and Internalize:
Rather than simply transcribing what you hear, practice paraphrasing the information in your own words. This process helps you understand the content more deeply and ensures that you retain the material in a meaningful way. Paraphrasing is an ESSENTIAL skill for PTE Academic and IELTS Writing.
• Visual Aids: Enhance with Diagrams and Charts:
Incorporate visual aids such as diagrams, charts, or tables into your notes. Visual representations can help you understand complex concepts and enhance retention. Doodle or sketch funny pictures if you have to! Whatever makes your notes special and memorable to you is what will work.
• Review and Summarize: Consolidate and Reflect:
Regularly review and summarize your notes after each study session or lecture. This process reinforces your understanding of the material and allows you to fill in any gaps in your knowledge. After a session with your language course provider or tutor, make sure you go back to your notes and look over it. This is help commit everything you have learned to long term memory!
• Technology Tools: Digital Notetaking is the way of the future!
Explore digital note-taking tools, such as note-taking apps or software, to organize and retrieve your notes efficiently. Experiment with different applications that suit your preferences and learning style. This does not work for everyone, but as the world moves away from paper-based learning, adult learners would greatly benefit from getting up to speed with the latest technology.
• Practice and Adapt: Tailor Techniques to Your Needs
Engage in regular practice to refine your note-taking skills. Adapt and personalize different techniques to suit your unique learning style. Experiment with various methods and tools to find what works best for you. The only way to improve your note-taking speed and skill is to consistently practice taking notes.
Efficient notetaking is a valuable skill for adult students in their language and academic journeys. By actively listening, using abbreviations, organizing information, identifying keywords and using effective review strategies, you can enhance your learning experience and improve information retention. Incorporate these essential note-taking skills into your study routine and unlock your full potential as an adult learner. After acing your language proficiency tests, you will be able to carry this special skill into your further studies and workplace!
Need an IELTS or PTE Academic tutor or want some guidance and information about these tests? Leave a comment below, fill out the contact form or email me at allroundtutor@gmail.com
Love,
Reena
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