What is an IELTS course?

An IELTS course is a prep course that helps you prepare for taking the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam from the British Council. The main aim of taking an IELTS course is to help you understand the exam well enough so that you can get the required band score for your particular need.

What is the structure of an IELTS course?

Typically, an IELTS course will cover all four sections of the exam and will combine a mix of academic English knowledge with the specific knowledge of the IELTS exam you need to know. By covering these two together, you make sure that you have not only the English language skills you need but also the test-taking strategies and tactics you’ll need to get the highest score possible.

These courses usually involved taking practice tests in all four sections of the exam and then receiving feedback from an experienced teacher who can help you to improve enough in the areas you’re lacking to pass the exam on your own when the time comes.

How long is an IELTS course?

The length of an IELTS course can vary depending on where you take it. Some courses are a short “crash course” consisting of a few days with a ton of information packed in to help you prepare for an exam coming up very soon. 

Other courses can be in the area of 12 weeks long with meetings once a week of more or less two hours. The format of the course you choose should depend on how much practice you actually need and how much available time you have in your schedule before your exam.

How can IELTS preparation courses help you?

The IELTS exam was of course designed to test your knowledge of the English language, but ultimately it will be more than just your use of English that will be tested. You will need the ability to read for information, summarize ideas, identify main ideas, identify trends and key features in visuals, as well as to understand how writers form arguments and support them.

An IELTS prep course can help you to practice and learn all of these skills. Rather than just focusing on general English skills, you’ll be practicing academic skills as well. These academic skills will be key for high performance in test-taking situations.

On top of this, taking an IELTS test prep course can also help you pass the speaking test. In a course you can speak with other classmates or an instructor, giving you valuable practice time speaking and answering the types of questions you might be asked on the exam.

Are there prep courses for just the IELTS writing section?

Yes, thankfully there are. For many students, the writing section of the IELTS is the most difficult part of the exam. Not only does producing written content usually require higher level language skills than just speaking or listening, but the IELTS writing exam grading criteria require quite a few skills specific to writing effective essays using the academic essay writing framework.

I designed an IELTS Writing Prep course for exactly this reason. It covers everything you need to know to get the highest score possible on the IELTS writing exam, from the academic essay writing process for Task Two, to how to analyze and write about visuals for Task One.

Should you take an IELTS preparation course?

The easiest way to decide this for yourself is to take a few practice tests online and see what score you get. If you’re not getting passing scores on your practice tests, it’s a good idea to take a course to make sure you’re prepared for your exam.

The last thing you want to do is waste time and money by taking an IELTS course before you’re ready. Take the time you need and get prepared to make sure you give yourself the best chance possible.

Which IELTS course should you choose?

With so many IELTS courses out there, this totally depends on your specific needs and budget. You’ll have to have a look around and see what each of the courses offers. Make sure you look at courses that identify specifically what you will learn in the course, that way you can know before registering if the course will help you with the areas with which you feel you need help.

What is the IELTS exam?

The IELTS exam is a standardized language proficiency test designed to assess your ability to communicate effectively in English. The test measures your proficiency in four key areas: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

This exam is common practice for people who need to evaluate their English language skills for either personal or professional growth to take this examination, as it is a necessary test for those who wish to study or work in countries where English is the primary language.

The best materials to prepare for IELTS

Preparing for the IELTS exam can be daunting. Still, with proper preparation and practice, you can achieve the score you need and earn your certificate. The key to success is to practice, practice, practice.

Luckily for you, I’ve prepared a list of the best online resources to prepare for the IELTS exam. You can find a wealth of practice tests, study guides, and sample questions that will give you an idea of what to expect on the exam.

How to get a good IELTS score on your IELTS test

Getting a good score on the IELTS exam requires dedication and preparation. Here are some tips to help you achieve your desired score:

Familiarize yourself with the exam format: Knowing the exam format will help you manage your time effectively and understand what is expected of you in each section.

Practice your English language skills: The IELTS exam assesses your proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Therefore, practicing all four skills regularly is essential to improve your overall score.

Take practice tests: Practice tests are a great way to identify areas where you need improvement and develop strategies to improve your performance on the exam. More than that, taking practice tests has been scientifically proven to be the most effective thing you can do to improve your test performance.

Manage your time effectively: The IELTS exam is a timed exam, and it's essential to manage your time effectively to complete all sections within the allotted time. It’s a good habit to start timing yourself while you’re doing practice exercises at home so you can get used to the time requirements.

Focus on accuracy and fluency: The IELTS exam assesses your ability to communicate fluently and accurately in English. Therefore, it's essential to focus on both aspects when practicing your English skills.

Get expert guidance: Taking an IELTS preparation course or working with a tutor can provide expert guidance and feedback on your English language skills that you wouldn’t be able to get by yourself. You can read about our online IELTS writing course here and see how it can help you.

Stay calm and focused: The IELTS exam can be stressful, but it's essential to stay calm and focused during the exam to achieve the best possible score.

By using these tips and practicing and studying regularly, you can get a good score on the IELTS test and open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Want to make sure you get the score you need?

I’ve been teaching IELTS students for over 7 years, so I know what it takes for students to achieve their needed scores from the IELTS exam. My updated IELTS course is 100% online and self-paced, so you can take it anytime, anywhere.

With total honesty, I’ll tell you that it also has the highest level of production quality of any of the courses that I offer. I used a teleprompter, and a soundproof studio, and spent hours and hours writing out the scripts and editing the videos all on my own.

The result is an incredible online IELTS course that combines all of my knowledge and expertise in teaching students how to pass the IELTS exam. I’ve made sure it has everything you need to know to get the score you need in your IELTS exam.

Click here to sign up for my IELTS writing course online.

If you have any other questions about the IELTS exam, you can send me an email at [email protected] and I’ll be happy to answer those as well.