Hello everyone. Today we are talking with Deer Jariyaporn Kingpho, a Mathayom 6 student from Benjamarachanusorn School in the special GIFTED program. She will share her journey from preparing for the IELTS test to seizing the opportunity to become an IDP IELTS Ambassador Gen 2. Dear’s story is sure to inspire many readers.
Why did a science and math student like you decide to take IELTS?
I wanted to take IELTS so I could use the score to apply to university, Faculty of Dentistry, in the Portfolio round. Most health science fields, whether medicine, dentistry, or nursing, require an IELTS score to demonstrate English proficiency.
The real starting point was when I checked the portfolio criteria for the Faculty of Dentistry at Chulalongkorn University and saw a track that accepts applicants with strong English skills using an IELTS score of around 7.0. Once I learned that, I immediately started looking for IELTS courses.
What motivates you to study English and what are your preparation techniques?
My biggest motivation is the dream of becoming a dentist. I know that to study in this field you need strong English ability, so I looked back at the criteria from previous years to set my own target. I should say I was not good at English at first. I once took a placement test at an institute and got a very low result, probably only level A. But once I knew my starting point, it pushed me to try harder to reach my goal.
For preparation, I began by building my English foundation. I studied at Wall Street English for about a full year, then took an IELTS foundation course for another three months.
The most important part of preparation for me is mental readiness. You can have a great plan and great tutors, but if your heart is not in the practice your body will resist. If you truly have passion for this, your dedication will give you confidence on the real test day.- Dear
Which parts did you find most challenging?
Can I choose two? Reading and Writing. Reading is tough because you need to find keywords and know a lot of vocabulary. Writing is very challenging in terms of grammar. These two parts require frequent practice, nothing else.
Beyond test preparation, you were selected as an IDP IELTS Ambassador. How was that experience?
I joined the program to improve my English, to try new experiences in content creation, and to meet new friends. When I found out I was selected I was thrilled, because in my mind IDP is a very big company, so getting to work with them was very exciting.
Creating monthly content is not hard, but you must be consistent. I like to come up with fresh ideas anyway. When the team said I could make content about test venues if I wanted, I was even more excited, since I could go out and explore new places. This program helped me speak better, feel more confident on camera, and improve my editing skills a lot. I want to thank the whole team for their guidance and for sometimes helping film clips. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.
Lastly, tell us about your real test day and share some advice for future test takers.
I took the test at the Silom center and traveled there by MRT, which was very convenient. On test day I was nervous and a bit panicky, since it was my first time. The exam room was quiet and very conducive to focus, and the invigilators took great care of us. I was still nervous during the Speaking test and felt I did not answer as well as I did in practice. Overall, I was very impressed with the testing system.
My advice is this. Plan carefully, learn as much as you can about IELTS, and study the requirements of the program where you will submit your score. Planning early may not be as good as planning the right way. That is what makes it most effective.
If you would like to follow Dear’s content and lifestyle, find her here
