IELTS INTENSIVE

COURSES
Prepared by: Ina Sekkouri, BLC
English Teacher
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 Welcome to the
IELTS
PREPARATION
EXAM
IELTS tips, model answers, topics, practice
lessons, and videos.
 What is the
IELTS Test?
IELTS = International English Language
Testing System. It is the world’s
biggest English language test centers
in most countries.. This means it is a
test which accepts international
English, not only British English.
 The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assesses the English language
proficiency of people who want to study or work in English-speaking environments. It
provides a fair, accurate and relevant assessment of language skills, based on
well-established standards, and covers the full range of proficiency levels, from non-user
to expert user. There are two main tests. Test takers can choose either Academic or
General Training tests. Both tests consist of four separate sections, assessing the four
language skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. IELTS results are reported on a
9-band scale designed to be simple and easy to understand. This scale has remained
consistent and has acquired currency around the world over the past three decades.

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Choosing the right test for your students

• IELTS Academic
• You should take this test if they are going to study at a university at either
undergraduate level or higher. You can also take this test to work in a professional
organisation in an English-speaking country.
• IELTS General Training
• You should take this test if they want to study at below degree level. It can also be
used to work in or emigrate to an English-speaking country.
• IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration
• You should take this test if they want to emigrate to the UK and need an English test
as part of their application to UK Visas and Immigration.

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There are four parts to the IELTS test:

1. IELTS Speaking – a face to face informal test with an examiner

which lasts between 11 and 14 mins and is made up of 3 parts. All
IELTS candidates take the same test.
2. IELTS Listening - a 3o minute audio recording with 4o questions.
All IELTS candidates take the same test.
3. IELTS Reading – 3 reading passages with 40 questions which last for
1 hour. This test is divided into Academic and General Training
papers.
4. IELTS Writing – this is divided into task 1 and task 2. Task 1
Academic is a short report of a chart,, graph, map table etc. Task 1
GT is a letter. Task 2 Academic & GT is a formal essay. IELTS writing
lasts for 1 hour in total..
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An overview of the test

• Test takers can choose between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, depending on their
academic or professional aspirations, or visa requirements. The difference between the two tests is
that the Reading and Writing sections of IELTS Academic have subject matter and tasks suitable for
the test takers entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies. The Listening and Speaking sections
are the same.
• Listening 30 minutes Test takers listen to four recorded texts, monologues and conversations by a
range of native speakers, and write their answers to a series of questions.
• Reading 60 minutes The Academic test includes three long texts which range from the descriptive
and factual to the discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books,
journals, magazines and newspapers and are on academic topics of general interest. All have been
selected for a non-specialist audience.
• The General Training test requires test takers to read extracts from newspapers, advertisements,
instruction manuals and books. These are materials test takers could encounter on a daily basis in
an English speaking country.

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• Writing 60 minutes The Academic test includes two tasks. Topics are selected to be of
general interest and suitable for test takers entering undergraduate or postgraduate
studies or seeking professional registration.
• Task 1 Test takers are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and are asked to
describe, summarize or explain the information in their own words. They may be asked to
describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or
describe an object or event.
• Task 2 Test takers are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or
problem. Responses to both tasks must be written in an academic or semi-formal neutral
style.

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The General Training test

• The General Training test also includes two tasks, and is based on topics of general interest.
• Task 1 Test takers are presented with a situation and are asked to write a letter requesting information or
explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
• Task 2 Test takers are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay
can be slightly more personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.

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 Speaking 11–14 minutes

• The Speaking test is carried out face-to-face with a trained IELTS examiner, as we believe this is the most
effective way of assessing a test taker’s speaking skills. This section takes between 11 and 14 minutes to
complete. Every test is digitally recorded and consists of three parts:

• Part 1 Test takers answer general questions about themselves and a range of familiar topics, such as their
home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.

• Part 2 Test takers are given a booklet which asks them to talk about a particular topic. They have one
minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner may ask one or two questions on
the same topic to finish this part of the test.

• Part 3 Test takers are asked further questions which are connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions
give the test taker an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas. This part lasts between four
and five minutes. The format of the Speaking test is common across both the Academic and General
Training tests. It is structured in such a way that does not allow test takers to rehearse set responses
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beforehand.
Key similarities

• The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both tests. The distinction
between ‘academic’ and ‘general’ literacy has traditionally been seen as most marked
in relation to Reading and Writing skills. The more socially-oriented language skills of
Listening and Speaking are equally important in an academic study or professional
context • The same amount of time is allocated to complete the Listening and Speaking
sections in both the General Training and Academic tests • The Reading and Writing
sections are the same length in both tests • Both tests have the same minimum word
requirement • The same assessment criteria and 9-band scale is used to grade both
tests A detailed breakdown of the test format can be found in the Guide for
educational institutions, governments, professional bodies and commercial
organizations and the Information for Candidates booklets, both available at ielts.org

.
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Key similarities

• Differences The Reading section of the Academic and General Training

tests is differentiated in terms of: • The choice of texts (topic, genre,
length, number, etc) • The level of difficulty of the 40 test items. The
Academic Reading section has more items pitched at bands 5–8, whereas
the General Training has more items pitched at bands 3–6. This is a
reflection of the different demands of Academic and General Training For
Writing, the Academic and General Training tests are differentiated in
terms of: • The content and nature of the two writing tasks • The
contextual parameters of the tasks However, given the level of
differentiation described above, this does not mean that the scores across
Academic and General Training Reading or Writing sections are
interchangeable

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IELTS on paper or computer

• Paper-based IELTS
• This test requires test takers to sit at a desk with the question papers and
answer sheets for the Listening, Reading and Writing tests in an official
IELTS test centre. Test takers will write their answers in either pen or
HB-pencil.
• Computer-delivered IELTS This test requires test takers to sit the Listening,
Reading and Writing tests in front of a computer with the questions
presented on the screen in an official IELTS test centre. The test takers
then submit their answers through the use of a keyboard and a mouse.
The Speaking test is not on computer and is carried out face-to-face with a
trained IELTS examiner.

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Tips from the
teacher
Productive Skills

• Writing - Skills being tested

• Integrated Skills - Test takers must read the questions and write
their answers.
• Integrated Skills - Test takers will need to listen to and read
task information in order to complete the task.
• Speaking - Skills being tested

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Receptive Skills

• Listening – Skills being tested

• Integrated skills- Test takers must read the questions and write
their answers.
• Reading – Skills being tested
• Integrated Skills- Test takers will need to write their answer on the
answer sheet.

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IELTS Tips & Practice
Lessons
Tips from teachers

• 1 Listening :Think about the context before you listen and

identify the type of information they will need to listen for
• Read the questions before you hear the text and use the time
between each section to prepare for the following section.
2 Reading : Use reading skills such as skimming and scanning –
you will need to use these skills to answer all the questions in 1
hour
• Know how best to approach each type of reading task
• Answer the questions and transfer their answers to the answer
sheet within the time allowed
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 Tips from teachers
3 Writing : Analyse the question carefully and plan your answer before starting to write.
• Keep in mind the reader and the purpose when writing.
• Structure your writing logically and clearly
• Decide on a position and use examples and evidence to support points .
4 Speaking : Feel confident and remind yourself to relax and enjoy the conversation with the
examiner.
• Listen carefully to the questions
• Use fillers and hesitation devices if you need ‘thinking time’ before answering
5 General : Familiarize yourself with the format and types of tasks in the different sections of
the IELTS test.
• Know what is expected of them and how best to approach each section.
• Realize the time allowed for each section and include timed practice in class.
• Read the instructions carefully and follow them.
• Familiarize yourself with the assessment criteria. These tips are relevant to both 21

paper-based and computer-delivered test takers

Advise for the test takers

• Re-sitting the test.

• There are no restrictions on retaking the test. If the
required score is not achieved, test takers can register for
another test as soon as they feel they are ready. Test
takers should be advised, however, that they are unlikely
to gain a better score unless they work to improve their
English and prepare for the test.

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Listening
IELTS Listening Test Information

There is only one listening test for all IELTS candidates. That mean Academic and
GT(General Training) candidates will take the same listening test with the same
scoring.

• 1. The IELTS listening test lasted for a total of 40 mins. (phone call)
• 2. The IELTS listening recording will last for 3o mins.
• 3. There are four parts to the IELTS Listening test:
• Conversation between 2 people: social context
• A speech or talk with just one person: social context
• Conversation between up to four people: educational or training context.
• A talk by one person on an academic subject.

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The essential IELTS listening tips and information for success in your test.

• Learn the right listening techniques with over 25 top tips to help you achieve a
high score. Learn about the listening exam content, writing the answers
correctly, types of questions, scoring , making notes and much more .

• NOTES: Capital letters in IELTS listening. You can write in capital letters or lower
case, its your choice. My recommendation is to use all capital letters as it is
easier to read and avoids mistakes.

• IELTS Video: Listening Tips

• [su_youtube url=“https:youtu.be/q8qmJeBxk4Q”]

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IELTS Listening Test Information

• For the paper based listening test, you must listen and write your answers on
the questions paper at the same time. After the recording ends, you will be
given an extra 10 mins to transfer your answers from the question paper to the
answer sheet.

• Length= 4o mins
• 3o mins = audio
• 10 mins = transfer the answers into the answer sheet.
• You will hear the recording only once, so write your answers while you are
listening. You need to multitask.

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IELTS Listening Test Information

1. Listen to the examples.

2. Use a pencil when writing your answers.
3. The Score it is calculated by each time you answer correctly, they you will
boost your score.
4. If you decide to write everything in lower case then you should continue your
exam everything in capital letters and if you chose capital letters, then keep
writing your exam in capital letters.
5. How many words or numbers can I have for this answer? Always read
carefully because is constantly changing. Example: no more than 2 words/or a
number
• Craftsman
• Local craftsman
• 60 local craftsman
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• 60
IELTS Listening Test Information

1. Pay attentions to the instructions.

2. If you are just taking notes answer you could answer with a word, however if
you are completing a sentence then make usage of your prepositions. You
must ensure that your sentence is grammatically correct.
3. All words are counted: 1950
4. Spelling- if you write your words incorrectly in listening it will be counted
incorrectly.
5. For the multiple choice section write the letter corresponding to the correct
answer.
• Types of questions:
• Multiple choice
• Sentence completion
• Map completion
• Summary completion
• Diagram labelling 28

• Short answer questions(1-2-3) word answer

 IELTS Listening Test Information
1. Don’t try to understand everything.
2. Prepare the questions and answers.
Example: The town square was built by….. it tells me what type of answer I need

main content paraphrase

3. Answers can come quickly.
4. Make notes.
5. There may be a gab between answers.
6. Common Traps: These are some of he ways IELTS tries to test your understanding and
vocabulary: keep listening to your answers because it might change throughout the
recording. Be careful of using the exact same answers your heard from the recording,
IELTS usually uses paraphrasing.
7. Repeated answers: People having a discussion.
8. listening to your plurals.
9. Always guess If you don't know the answer. 29
Scoring system

• Band score 5.5 15-22

• Band score 6 23-25
• Band score 6.5 26-29
• Band score 7 30-31
• Band score 7.5 32-34
• Band score 8 35 – 36
• Band score 8.5 37- 38

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Thank you!

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