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Official IELTS Guide for Teachers

Official IELTS Guide for Teachers

Understand the test format, scoring and how to prepare students for the test. The Official IELTS Guide for Teachers helps. Updated in 2024.

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A full guide for IELTS teachers

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System. We assess the English language proficiency of people who want to study or work in English-speaking environments. The test provides a fair, accurate and relevant assessment of language skills. And, IELTS covers the full range of proficiency levels, from nonuser to expert user. We base the test on well-established standards.

There are two main tests. Test takers can choose either Academic or General Training tests . Both tests consist of four separate sections. Each section assesses the four language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

We designed an Official IELTS Guide for Teachers. It tells you everything you need to know about the test. From question types to the structure of the test. Access it for free below. Or, register to access more resources for teachers .

“It is a must for all IELTS teachers and people interested in assessment in general. I am really pleased that it is available for free.”

Four sections of the IELTS test

IELTS: A test of four skills

IELTS is a task-based test. It covers the four language skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). IELTS test takers receive individual scores for each of the four test sections. The average of the four provides the overall band score. We design each of the four sections carefully to focus on one particular skill. This makes it easier to control task difficulty across the many different tests produced each year. And, it results in a fairer test design when compared with tests that assess multiple skills simultaneously.

Organisations that rely on IELTS as proof of English language proficiency benefit from knowing that the score given for each section of the test is a clear and fair reflection of the test taker’s ability in that skill. This is particularly important in academic and professional settings where one skill is deemed to be more important than others. For example, in Canada nurses require to achieve a higher band score in their IELTS Speaking and Writing tests. On the other hand, teachers in Australia need a higher score in their IELTS Speaking and Listening tests.

IELTS Listening test

Listening: 30 minutes
Test takers listen to four recorded texts. We include monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers. Test takers write their answers to a series of questions.

IELTS Reading test

Reading: 60 minutes
The Academic test includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. Moreover, the texts are authentic. And, we source them from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They are on academic topics of general interest. In fact, 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. Consequently, these are materials test takers could encounter on a daily basis in an English speaking country

IELTS Writing test

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

We present test takers with a graph, table, chart or diagram. Then, we ask them to describe, summarise or explain the information in their own words.

Task 2

Here, we ask test takers to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Test takers should respond to both tasks in an academic or semi-formal neutral style. /br>
The General Training test includes two tasks. Topics are selected to be of general interest for migration, or for people seeking professional registration.
Task 1

Test takers 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 personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.

IELTS Speaking test

Speaking 11–14 minutes
The Speaking section assesses the test taker’s use of spoken English. It 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. It lasts between four and five minutes.

Part 2

Then, we give test takers a booklet which ask 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

Finally, an IELTS Examiner asks test takers 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 beforehand.

Tips for teaching IELTS

Tips for teaching IELTS Writing and Speaking

In the Writing and Speaking sections, information that test takers read or hear helps shape the test taker’s own production. However, we carefully control this to ensure that the test taker is not required to carry out an extensive or complex reading and listening in order to respond to the task. This is particularly important because we report a score for each skill. And, it’s unfair to test takers if their performance in one skill area was compromised by their lack of proficiency in another.

Tips for teaching IELTS Reading and Listening

Tasks in the Reading and Listening sections can involve note-taking, labelling and completion of tables or flow charts. Nonetheless, it is important that any task or test items should focus on reading or listening and should not require detailed writing.

More tips for teaching IELTS Listening

Make sure that your students:

Think about the context before they listen and identify the type of information they will need to listen for

Read the questions before they hear the text and use the time between each section to prepare for the following section

More tips for teaching IELTS Writing

Make sure that your students:

Analyse the question carefully and plan their answer before starting to write

Keep in mind the reader and the purpose when writing

Structure their writing logically and clearly

Decide on a position and use examples and evidence to support points they make in task 2

Are familiar with the assessment criteria

More tips for teaching IELTS Speaking

Make sure that your students:

Feel confident and remind them to relax and enjoy the conversation with the examiner

Listen carefully to the questions

Use fillers and hesitation devices if they need ‘thinking time’ before answering

Realise it is their language level, not their opinions which are being evaluated

Are familiar with the assessment criteria

Access the IELTS Guide for Teachers

Download the IELTS Guide for Teachers
Download free IELTS Teaching Tips

The IELTS Teacher Training Program

Access the free online IELTS Teacher Training Program. A course designed for English language teachers in Australia.

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Official IELTS Guide for Teachers

A full guide for IELTS teachers

Four sections of the IELTS test

Tips for teaching IELTS

Access the IELTS Guide for Teachers

Download the IELTS Guide for Teachers

Download free IELTS Teaching Tips

The IELTS Teacher Training Program