👇 Take this lesson with you! 👇
Table of Contents
Introduction
Talking fluently about mobile phones in IELTS Speaking might be no laughing matter!
In this free IELTS Speaking lesson on the topic of PHONES, you will learn how to talk about using phones, mobile phone apps, and texting.
IELTS vocabulary: Mobile phones
It is essential to build your vocabulary and also to start activating it.
That means you should try making some phrases with the vocabulary below.
Remember to always learn the collocations of new words.
- Smart phone / mobile phone / cell phone
- I don’t have a landline (fixed phone at home in the office)
- The battery is low
- My phone is low on battery
- I have run out of battery
- My phone / the battery is dead
- I need to charge (up) my phone
How you use your mobile phone
There are 2 ways of expressing use
- I use it FOR + gerund
I use it for accessing the Internet
- I use it to + verb
I use it to access the Internet
Both mean the same and either can be used
- For passing on information =sharing
- For calling friends
- For photography
- For taking selfies
- I am selfie-mad (I love it)
- To chat
- To navigate my way around
- To watch videos
- I use it to apply for jobs
- To listen to podcasts
- I use it to download trending apps
- I use it for texting
- I tend to use it just to get online and surf the web
- It’s really handy for video-conferences (=convenient, easy to use)
- It comes in handy for accessing Facebook and other social networks
- It’s the best way to play games
Different kinds of apps
- Games
- Language learning
- Productivity
- Stocks and trading
- News
- Health and fitness
- Music streaming
- Audio books
- Dictionaries
- Weather
- Photo editing
- Personal finance
Places where you cannot use a cell phone
If we are talking about not making a noise or being a nuisance…
(A pain, a bother, something bad)
- Temples, church, or similar places of worship
- Some hospital waiting areas
- Quiet zones of trains
- Libraries
If it’s more about not being allowed to take photos….
- Some museums
- Some art galleries
- Temples
- Airport security check
- Passing through customs control (airport)
- Some government buildings forbid/prohibit phones
- =not allowed
Generally speaking,…
- When taking an exam
- In many schools
- In meetings – at least we have to turn the phone to silent
To turn your phone off😁
To turn off your phone 😁
To turn it off😁
To turn off it XXX
Vague language
When you don’t know the name of something, you can say…
It’s a thingy, you know a kind of thingamajig
I use a whatchamacallit
I like to use the whatsisname
The benefits of texting
Texting is less intrusive
It’s easier and quicker
It’s convenient/handy
It comes in handy for expressing emotions
It eases communication between people
It saves time
It’s not time-consuming / time-draining
It’s great for sharing important information
Idioms about mobile phones
- Just drop me a line on What’s app when you know = get in touch
- You can keep me posted by sending me a message on Facebook =keep me up to date
- The great thing about texting is that it allows you to get straight to the point, (=be direct) you don’t need to beat about/around the bush (to ramble, be indirect)
- At last, we can speak, we’ve been playing phone tag all day!
- To hit the bullseye = to get it right = to hit the nail on the head
Students' questions about mobile phones
Keith, which app you use most on your mobile phone?
That’s a great question.
I have got so many Apps, it’s hard to choose, but if I had to choose one I would opt for Google maps, to be honest,
because when I need to navigate my way around a new city or even my own city here, I always use Google maps.
I think I have lost the habit of asking people the way.
I just much prefer to use Google maps.
It’s quicker, it’s faster, and it’s more accurate.
So, that’s probably the app I use most on my mobile phone.
Useful Links
Useful vocabulary about phones
https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2014/06/18/the-language-of-mobile-phones/
Article about the benefits of texting
(This website is a great resource and you can sign up for free)
More Free IELTS Speaking Lessons
If you liked this lesson, leave a comment below!
There are more lessons you can follow in the links below too.
MEETINGS in IELTS Speaking. Adjectives you need to describe different situations of meetings.
TV SERIES in IELTS Speaking. Vocabulary you need to describe different kinds of Television Series.
SOCIAL MEDIA in IELTS Speaking. Improve your listening and speaking skills for the topic of social media.
