Learning as a Natural Instinct

From a young age, Le Ha An demonstrated a special passion for English. Rather than enduring tedious lessons, her family supported her in absorbing the language as naturally as possible. At age 11, while in 5th grade, Ha An boldly took the FCE (First Certificate in English) exam—administered by Cambridge ESOL Examinations—and achieved an outstanding C1 level, which is equivalent to an IELTS 6.5 - 7.5.

As she entered secondary school, English became a powerful tool for her to acquire knowledge. Studying intensive academic subjects such as Mathematics, English, Science, and Global Perspectives entirely in English allowed her to master new concepts while sustainably maintaining her existing language proficiency.

Three years of study in the Cambridge International Program at the secondary level helped Ha An build an expansive worldview. She realized that while a C1 certificate requires a vast academic vocabulary, the IELTS exam demands a multi-dimensional foundation of social knowledge. It was the classroom discussions on global issues that provided Ha An with the critical thinking skills to tackle even the most challenging topics.

Notably, the mentorship of her teachers at school provided a major source of motivation for Ha An’s breakthrough. She shared: “Whenever I struggled to improve my band score, I often turned to my English teacher for advice. He was the one who taught me how to use language appropriately and precisely, rather than getting caught up in trying to sound overly sophisticated in the IELTS exam.”

Beyond textbooks, Ha An also boldly tested her skills through extracurricular activities to build her confidence. She and her teammates won Second Prize at the “Greenfield Debating Championship 2025” – an annual English debating competition organized by Greenfield School. These experiences, combined with her daily habit of reading online news and watching YouTube in English, helped her nurture her reflexes in the most natural and enjoyable way.

In February 2026, Ha An decided to take the IELTS exam to self-assess her abilities and prepare for her long-term academic path ahead. Her family and teachers were always supportive, helping her research information and creating the best conditions for her to participate. When taking the exam, Ha An felt very relaxed because she did not put heavy pressure on the results.

A Clear Examination Strategy

According to Ha An, to achieve a good IELTS score, candidates need more than just solid knowledge; they also need a reasonable strategy. In Writing, whereas she previously tried to "show off" her entire academic vocabulary, she now prioritizes appropriateness. For Ha An, the pinnacle of language does not lie in obscure words, but in using language precisely and clearly while maintaining sharp and logical arguments.

For the Speaking skill, Ha An applies a unique mental hack by treating the examiner like a 5-year-old child to explain issues. She believes the candidate's task is to present their views as coherently and simply as possible instead of rambling or going off-topic. This natural communicative mindset and her proactivity in leading the conversation helped her convince the examiners.

Furthermore, her perfect score of 9.0 in Listening and 8.5 in Reading is the result of her habit of “thinking in English” for many years. Instead of practicing test papers mechanically, Ha An maintains the habit of reading international news and listening to scientific, political, and social content on YouTube as a personal hobby. Using English daily to access new knowledge has helped her Listening and Reading skills reach an instinctive level of sharpness, making long exam papers feel "breathable."

When doing the test, Ha An always follows the “quick strike” principle to optimize her time. She seamlessly combines Skimming (reading for the main idea) and Scanning (searching for keywords) to answer questions in her head during the first read-through. This method not only saves time but also allows her an extra round to carefully check her entire work, ensuring the highest accuracy before submission.

Ha An shared that she noticed a common mistake among learners is using English only for exams, which leads to fragmented and unnatural expression. she views language as a tool that must be nurtured daily through communication and personal interests. When English becomes an indispensable habit, achieving high scores on standardized exams is simply the inevitable result of a persistent and well-guided accumulation process.

Congratulations to Ha An on this brilliant achievement! We hope that your courage and persistence will soon help you reach your dreams at your desired university lecture halls, continuing the journey of reaching out to the world as a confident and intellectual generation of Greenfield School students.