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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.
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Teaching the four sections of the IELTS test
Four sections of the IELTS test
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Make sure that your students:
Make sure that your students:
Make sure that your students:
Make sure that your students:
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