This week, we’re taking with Jay. He’s an expert from E2Language and teaches in online IELTS preparation courses. Jay started teaching English at a university in Indonesia when he was 21, and he’s been teaching English ever since. Jay also has an academic background in languages and linguistics, so he knows that language is incredibly complex and profoundly meaningful.

He co-founded E2Language in 2015 in order to make English language learning and test preparation simpler and more enjoyable. 

“I’ve taken the IELTS on paper three times now and the IELTS on computer test twice. The IELTS on computer test is way better! Because you have a lot less stress, you can perform a whole lot better.” 

-- Jay, English teacher from E2Language 

Jay’s IELTS experience

How did you find the overall journey from walking into the door at the test centre until the end of your test? 

It’s futuristic and pleasant. It reminded me more of a yoga studio than a test centre. It was honestly very relaxing – exactly how you want a test centre to be! 

How was your experience with computer-delivered IELTS? 

I’ve taken the paper-based IELTS three times now and the computer-delivered test twice. The computer-delivered test is way better! Because you have a lot less stress you can perform a whole lot better. In short, you can focus on the tasks at hand and not on your anxieties. 

How was your speaking test? Or your Speaking examiner? 

She was delightful. I felt like I was having a genuine conversation. I wanted to stay and keep talking to her! 

Ok, so what’s it like doing IELTS as a teacher? 

Even as English language teachers, sitting a test might still be stressful. How were your stress levels? 

Low! I had a little bit of ‘anticipation’ or ‘excitement’ but almost no fear. Of course, I’m not taking this test for my visa or my job, so the stakes are a lot lower for me, but I do have my teaching reputation on the line. So, there was some ‘skin in the game’. Nevertheless, the room, the atmosphere, the staff, the system and the other candidates made the experience almost entirely stress free. 

Did you learn something during the test today that you can use for your students (any tips or tricks)? 

Lots. But most of all, it showed me that what we’re doing at E2Language directly relates to taking the test, which was reassuring. All of our practice materials now resemble the computer-delivered IELTS test, so none of the task types were unfamiliar for me. I must admit that if you did take the exam with no preparation, some of the tasks would be very confusing. 

At IELTS we advise everyone to prepare for their test, even if they are native speakers. Did you prepare? If so, how? 

I’ve got a background in linguistics and I’ve been teaching English for nearly 10 years. Even with this experience, I still needed to prepare for the IELTS test, and for the writing section in particular. There is a certain way that you need to write in order to get a high score; you can’t just walk in and expect that because you’re a native speaker, you will do well. The test is challenging, and if you meet the challenge, it’s rewarding. 

Jay’s tips on IELTS Writing Task 2

A couple of weeks ago, Jay spoke with IDP IELTS experts Barrie Brown and Reza Tasviri about the IELTS Writing task. If you are preparing for IELTS and want to get some tips on getting a high score in Writing, check this out.

Need IELTS for migration or study?

IELTS on computer is available 3 times a day, 7 days a week

For almost 30 years, IELTS has been a paper-based English test that people have used to achieve their work, study and migration dreams. Meet IELTS on computer: the same IELTS test you know, delivered via computer, with multiple test sessions a day and faster results.

Book IELTS on computer

Are you a teacher like Jay? Teach IELTS with these tips.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced IELTS teacher, or a first-timer with IELTS: We have everything you need. Guide your students through their IELTS test with our teaching support, including practice activities, recommended training courses and helpful IELTS teaching tips. Be an inspirational IELTS teacher to your students with these classroom activities, teaching resources and assessment tips – all designed to help you and your students achieve success with IELTS. 

Free teacher workshops 

Register for free IDP IELTS teacher workshops or access our online learning platform. We’ll guide you through the public band descriptors. And, we’ll give you examples of how IELTS is scored. You’ll learn valuable tips that you can use in the classroom. So, learn from IELTS experts to pass it onto your students. With IELTS, we train the trainer. 

Teaching Resources 

Anything from our comprehensive guide to teach IELTS, to tailored lesson plans: we have the resources you need to teach IELTS. When you register with IELTS as a teacher, we’ll share new resources when they become available. Therefore, you’ll be the first to know when we have something new! 

Information about the IELTS test 

When you teach IELTS, you want information that is up-to-date. So, why not get it straight from the source? IDP Education is one of the proud co-owners of IELTS. Consequently, we have the tools that can help you teach your students. Expertly. 

Why teach IELTS 

By teaching IELTS, you get to develop your English teaching career. And, at the same time, improve your employment prospects. Why? Because you can work all over the world. IELTS has test centres in more than 140 countries, which means teaching opportunities in over 140 destinations around the globe. We provide helpful IELTS teaching course tips and give you access to a global network of resources, workshop materials, and other IELTS teachers.