Introducing the IELTS
During my time in China especially as an Australian university foundation teacher I am still amazed at the lack of common sense many students apply in their preparation for this exam. I want to say every candidate preparing for this exam should not overlook the importance of viewing the IELTS website www.ielts.org and or if you are Chinese the China website for local information. These webistes help you to understand the purpose and scope of this exam. I have been surprised with the number of students who have done this exam and not even been able to describe its layout in English. My advice for both teachers and students is learn as your first step in preparing for this exam its layout and describe what you will do in English. When I introduce the IELTS exam I use the following acromyn.
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Introducing the IELTS Exam
1) I - International - you need to understand this is an International l exam. I remind my students here in Hefei this exam is not Chinese so the preparation is quite different to a Chinese exam and it is not a test of memory so memorising model answers is not the best strategy for preparing for the exam.
2) E - English - the IELTS is a test of English not just exam technique. At the end of the day if you want a good IELTS that will meet most countries visa and university requirement you need to develop your English skills. Else on this website I will offer tips and suggestion for improving your English. If you are a student in an University preparation programme my advice to you is get to class and follow the advice of your teacher and practice, practice, practice
3) Language - the IELTS Exam tests all the skills of English namely listening, reading, wriitng and speaking. The www.ielts.org website clearly explains these components to you. For students I know speaking presents challenges especially here in China. All I can say is you need to practice these skills and with speaking you will have to practice with classmates. I tell my students come early to class and practice with me and sit close to the front in class. My experience suggest students who do this usually develop much more rapidly with their speaking.
4) Testing - the IELTS is testing your ability to function and live in an English speaking context and not just studying. You need to be well rounded in your preparation for this exam. You need to decide why you are doing the exam. If it is for working abroad it could well be the General Training IELTS is for you. If you are seekig to study abroad then you will need to do the Academic IELTS.
5) System - linked to the above point most of your are doing this exam to lead into something more. In my situation here in Hefei students are preparing for the IELTS to studying at an Australian University need a6 to gain direct entry into an Australian university otherwise they need to do further language study in Australia. All I can say here you need to consider why you doing the exam and determine the requirements of you future employer or institution before doing the IELTS exam.
On my Moodle website you will find more materials for IELTS Preparation which will be developed over time.
2) E - English - the IELTS is a test of English not just exam technique. At the end of the day if you want a good IELTS that will meet most countries visa and university requirement you need to develop your English skills. Else on this website I will offer tips and suggestion for improving your English. If you are a student in an University preparation programme my advice to you is get to class and follow the advice of your teacher and practice, practice, practice
3) Language - the IELTS Exam tests all the skills of English namely listening, reading, wriitng and speaking. The www.ielts.org website clearly explains these components to you. For students I know speaking presents challenges especially here in China. All I can say is you need to practice these skills and with speaking you will have to practice with classmates. I tell my students come early to class and practice with me and sit close to the front in class. My experience suggest students who do this usually develop much more rapidly with their speaking.
4) Testing - the IELTS is testing your ability to function and live in an English speaking context and not just studying. You need to be well rounded in your preparation for this exam. You need to decide why you are doing the exam. If it is for working abroad it could well be the General Training IELTS is for you. If you are seekig to study abroad then you will need to do the Academic IELTS.
5) System - linked to the above point most of your are doing this exam to lead into something more. In my situation here in Hefei students are preparing for the IELTS to studying at an Australian University need a6 to gain direct entry into an Australian university otherwise they need to do further language study in Australia. All I can say here you need to consider why you doing the exam and determine the requirements of you future employer or institution before doing the IELTS exam.
On my Moodle website you will find more materials for IELTS Preparation which will be developed over time.
Tips on Preparing for the IELTS
Introduction
My first hint is the consider what you are doing the IELTS for. The IELTS website says ‘English for international opportunity’
Keep in mind why you are doing IELTS?
You should aim high. As I have said in my introduction to the exam you need to determine the score you require for the exam for your future studies
What can I do to improve my IELTS Score
The most important thing you can do for IELS preparation is improve your standard of English. Remember this is exam is an test of your English Ability. Many of my tips here are about improving your English.
As I am writing from China as the cooridinator in a foundation programme I want to tell first thing is learn to do things for your self and not wait for the teacher. My guess is if you have found this website you already have some initiative but it is advice worth considering.
Plus you should download both the Speaking and Writing Band Descriptors and use these as a tool to improve your speaking and Writing
The Speaking and Writing Band Descriptors can be downloaded here from a link to the IELTS Website. They are PDF Files.
A) Speaking Band Descriptors Click Here
B) Writing Task 1 Band Descriptors Click Here
C) Writing Task 2 Band Descriptors Click Here
For those you in China there is a Chinese version of the public band descriptors which can be found by clicking here.
B) Improve you vocabulary
2) Read newspapers
C）Learn to be observant
I have the following saying:
‘If you don’t use you will lose it’
Use every opportunity between now to when you study abroad to use and practice English each day without practice you will forget something or lose your skills.
These books are designed for personal preparation and are Chinese edition of quality Cambridge books. They have background information, listening practice and many tips and recommendation for study. and other good books, Many of these can be found in Xinhua Bookstores or online with Amazon China.
聚焦雅思-全真模拟试题集配套带 作者:(（英）Clare McDowell)Vanessa Jakeman 译者:杨培丹
ISBN：9787880128383
·条形码：9787880128383
剑桥雅思高分进阶教程（学生用书） 作者:Vanessa Jakeman (英)等
ISBN：9787560067421
条形码：9787560067421
剑桥雅思考试题型透析(2最新版)/外研社剑桥雅思考试培训教程 译者:杨培丹 (英国)杰克曼等著
ISBN：7560038395
·条形码：9787560038391
Practice
In most major cities of China ( I am sure it is the same in other countries) there are good bookshops selling IELTS Materials so I suggest you visit you visit them and look for practice materials. Some books will offer model answers. If you practice your answers and if you have a foreign teacher show them your answers. Remember though memorising books is not the best strategy for preparing for the IELTS.
In the coming days I will add more on preparing for the specific sections of the IELTS Exam.
My first hint is the consider what you are doing the IELTS for. The IELTS website says ‘English for international opportunity’
Keep in mind why you are doing IELTS?
- The exam is not the purpose of your programme of study
- The exam is a stepping stone for future study
- Everyday you are abroad is like an IELTS test so you need to be serious
You should aim high. As I have said in my introduction to the exam you need to determine the score you require for the exam for your future studies
What can I do to improve my IELTS Score
The most important thing you can do for IELS preparation is improve your standard of English. Remember this is exam is an test of your English Ability. Many of my tips here are about improving your English.
As I am writing from China as the cooridinator in a foundation programme I want to tell first thing is learn to do things for your self and not wait for the teacher. My guess is if you have found this website you already have some initiative but it is advice worth considering.
- Look at the IELTS Website
Plus you should download both the Speaking and Writing Band Descriptors and use these as a tool to improve your speaking and Writing
The Speaking and Writing Band Descriptors can be downloaded here from a link to the IELTS Website. They are PDF Files.
A) Speaking Band Descriptors Click Here
B) Writing Task 1 Band Descriptors Click Here
C) Writing Task 2 Band Descriptors Click Here
For those you in China there is a Chinese version of the public band descriptors which can be found by clicking here.
B) Improve you vocabulary
- Get a good dictionary such as the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary
- Get an IELTS specific dictionary (some even have CD’s so you can listen to pronunciation)
- Start writing your own dictionary in an note book
- Revising and Reading
2) Read newspapers
- e.g China Daily www.chinadaily.com.cn
An useful Australian newspaper is The Sydney Morning Herald www.smh.com.au
C）Learn to be observant
- Look at what is happening around you especially when you travel and notice changes to the environment or pollution problems traffic problems etc. You can use your own observations in an IELTS exam on the many topical issues
- Look at signs at railway stations, airports, schools, universities, shopping centres, museums scenic spots etc. Many have the information in Chinese (or your local languag) and English. This will help in the listening for IELTS as you could listen to directions in English for a location e.g. Railway station or Art Gallery. Use a note book and note any vocabulary you see.
- If you go to a wedding, or festival or other cultural event try and think what is happening in English as you can be asked questions on these things in an IELTS exam.
I have the following saying:
‘If you don’t use you will lose it’
Use every opportunity between now to when you study abroad to use and practice English each day without practice you will forget something or lose your skills.
- Go to all you classes – in your home city you mayhave few foreigners so take all the opportunities given to you
- Go to English corners or make you own English corner and practice talking with friends in English. Use topics from IEＬＴＳ for your discussion points. ( Over time on this website I plan to add some topics with a learning platform)
- Help your friends – It is difficult to learn on your own so have someone as your study partner. In Hefei some students I teach have an English hour most nights of the week in their own dormitary.
- Watch movies and English speaking television shows with a range of genres. This will improve your listening. Many movies do deal with social issues. Programmes like Friends are great for conversational skills. Some documentaries are good and many BBC and Discovery Channel programmes are widely available in China.
- Do not neglect writing practice. Studying writing models is not writing practice. You need to use your own material and practice questions to write your own answers. The IELTS is about you producing your own English.
These books are designed for personal preparation and are Chinese edition of quality Cambridge books. They have background information, listening practice and many tips and recommendation for study. and other good books, Many of these can be found in Xinhua Bookstores or online with Amazon China.
聚焦雅思-全真模拟试题集配套带 作者:(（英）Clare McDowell)Vanessa Jakeman 译者:杨培丹
ISBN：9787880128383
·条形码：9787880128383
剑桥雅思高分进阶教程（学生用书） 作者:Vanessa Jakeman (英)等
ISBN：9787560067421
条形码：9787560067421
剑桥雅思考试题型透析(2最新版)/外研社剑桥雅思考试培训教程 译者:杨培丹 (英国)杰克曼等著
ISBN：7560038395
·条形码：9787560038391
Practice
In most major cities of China ( I am sure it is the same in other countries) there are good bookshops selling IELTS Materials so I suggest you visit you visit them and look for practice materials. Some books will offer model answers. If you practice your answers and if you have a foreign teacher show them your answers. Remember though memorising books is not the best strategy for preparing for the IELTS.
In the coming days I will add more on preparing for the specific sections of the IELTS Exam.
Hong Kong Polytechnic University - IELTS Page
The Hong Kong Poly Techinic University has some great resources for IELTS preparation. Including some downloadable Power Point presentations and also practice materials.
The Hong Kong Poly Techinic University has some great resources for IELTS preparation. Including some downloadable Power Point presentations and also practice materials.
