Strategies to a Successful IELTS TEST Anddy Steven

Institute of Languages & Communication

USBI

What do you think?

� What is the requirement to apply for Scholarship?

◦ Chevening � Overall Score 6.5 (Competent User – Good)

◦ Minimum of 4 skills 5.5 (Modest –Competent)

◦ What is your target?

� How many parts in IELTS?

� Which part is the most difficult?

General Strategies

1. Familiarize yourself with the FORMAT

2. Improve your TEST skills with practice tests.

3. USE your English everyday.

General Strategy - Format

� What are the sections of the test?

� Which Section comes first?

� Second?

� How much time is allowed for each section?

� How many questions are there?

� How long must I speak for?

General Strategy - Improvement

�Practice Timing �

Reading/Writing under pressure

�Do exercise in Test Conditions

�Read the test questions carefully

�Sit in one real IELTS test

General Strategy – Use it

�Enroll in IELTS preparation course

� Immerse yourself in the English language

◦Watch Movies – with English subs

◦ Listen Music & read Lyrics

◦Use online IELTS practice

Part1 - Listening

� 30 Min

� Sections 1 & 2 � Social situations, e.g. opening bank account, explanation on a part-time English course.

� Sections 2 & 4 � study-related topic: Lecture/Talk/.

� Many types of questions, e.g. summary completion & form/table completion

Strategy for Listening

� Always read through the questions

� Underline keywords – get ready for synonyms or antonyms◦ sample

� Use the time given 30 seconds & 10 minutes.

� If you miss one number – move on

� Learn numbers & spelling

� Sense ‘stress’ given by speaker.

Part 2 - Reading

� 60 minutes

� 3 – 4 reading sections

� Passages from authentic source

� 2000-2800 words, increasingly Difficult

� Including Diagram, Chart,

� Types of Questions:◦ T – F – NG

◦ Yes – No – No information

◦ Table, etc.

Strategy for Reading

� 1 hour planning: 15 min – 20 min – 25 min

� Always read the Questions First

� Try to practice Scan & Skim Techniques

◦ sample

� Save the “BEST” for Last

� Write Answers directly on the answer sheets

Part 3 - Writing

� 60 minutes

� Task 1 – 150 words

◦ Describe graph, table, chart, process

� Task 2 – 250 words

◦ You will be given a statement

� Task 2 carries more weight than Task 1

Strategy for Writing

� Use Pencil

� Start with Part 2 first

� Don’t write rough draft

� Write down structure of answer – 5 min

� Save some time to check for small errors: verb agreements, plurals, punctuation, spelling.

� Focus on communicating your idea

� Task 1 – analyze important information.

� Organizing and elaborating

� Make sure that your writing has: Opening – Body - Conclusion

Sample – Writing Task 2

Are computers an essential feature of modern education? What subjects can be better taught using computers? Are there aspects of a good education that cannot be taught using computers?

� How would you organize your ideas?

Part 4 - Speaking

�11 – 14 min

�3 parts◦ Examiner gives interview questions

◦ Examiner will asks candidate to speak for 1 – 2 mins based on a written task card.

◦ Examiner extend discussion relating the 2nd part

Strategy for Speaking

� Fluency – talk with normal level of continuity

� Coherence – link ideas

� Lexical – use a range of vocabularies

� Grammatical Range & Accuracy ◦ Complex sentences

◦ Grammar accuracy

� Pronunciation – make clear sounds of English words.

� Sample

QUESTIONS & ANSWER

anddy.steven@usbi.ac.idanddy_steven@yahoo.com