Introduction Webinar

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In this webinar you will:
• Learn more about IELTS and its components
• Think about what score you need
• Find out about differences between Academic and General Training
IELTS
• Focus on the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking components
• Get before-the-test and during-the-test advice
• Get answers to any questions you have about IELTS!

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

The International English Language Test (IELTS) is designed to help
you work, study or migrate to a country where English is the native
language. This includes countries such as Australia, Canada, New
Zealand, the UK and USA.
Your ability to listen, read, write and speak in English will be assessed
during the test. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9.
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and
Cambridge Assessment English.

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If you are looking to work, live or study in an English-speaking
country, then you must be able to demonstrate a high level of English
language ability.
IELTS is the most popular test for those looking to migrate to
Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. It is globally recognised
by more than 10,000 employers, universities, schools and
immigration bodies including 3,400 institutions in the USA.

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Your IELTS score reflects your understanding and ability to
communicate in English. Each immigration body, university,
workplace or institution will have specific IELTS score requirements.
The score you need will depend on what you are looking to do in the
country, i.e. work or study.

Your ability to listen, read, write and speak in English will be assessed
during the test. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9.

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
IELTS has two types: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Both
tests assess your English language skills in listening, reading, writing
and speaking.
IELTS Academic
The IELTS Academic test is suitable for those wanting to study in an
English-speaking environment or university (higher education). You
can also take IELTS Academic for professional registration purposes.
The test measures if you are ready to begin studying in English. It
features vocabulary that is familiar within an academic setting.

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IELTS General Training
The IELTS General Training test is suitable for those applying to study
below degree level. This includes an English-speaking school or
college. It can also be taken for work experience or other
employment training.
IELTS General Training is also required for migration to Australia,
Canada, New Zealand and the UK. The test features everyday English
language skills that you will need in social and workplace
environments.

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All test takers take the same Listening and Speaking tests but
different Reading and Writing tests. Make sure that you prepare for
the correct test type.
The Listening, Reading and Writing sections of all IELTS tests are
completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them.
The Speaking section, however, can be completed up to a week
before or after the other tests. The total test time is 2 hours and 45
minutes.

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Please type your questions in the chat.

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

30 minutes
You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then
write your answers to a series of questions.
Recording 1 – a conversation between two people set in an everyday
social context.
Recording 2 - a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a
speech about local facilities.
Recording 3 – a conversation between up to four people set in an
educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student
discussing an assignment.
Recording 4 - a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university
lecture.
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Assessors will be looking for evidence of your ability to understand
the main ideas and detailed factual information, the opinions and
attitudes of speakers, the purpose of an utterance and evidence of
your ability to follow the development of ideas.

BEST TIPS FOR LISTENING

• Practise, practise, practise…

• Listen to podcasts from different countries
• Take notes when you listen
• Be aware of distractors
• Never leave answer fields empty
• Mind your spelling!

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Please type your questions in the chat.

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

60 minutes
The Reading section consists of 40 questions, designed to test a
wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading
for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical
argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.
IELTS General Training test - this includes extracts from books,
magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company
handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to
encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

60 minutes
The Reading section consists of 40 questions, designed to test a
wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading
for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical
argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.
IELTS Academic test - this includes three long texts which range
from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical.
These are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.
They have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are
appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking
professional registration. BEST TIPS FOR READING
• Practise with a timer
• Read journals

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English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
60 minutes
Topics are of general interest. There are two tasks:
Task 1 - you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a
letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter
may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
Task 2 - you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of
view, argument or problem. The essay can be fairly personal in style.

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60 minutes
Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, test takers
entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or
seeking professional registration. There are two tasks:
Task 1 - you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or
diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the
information in your own words. You may be asked to
describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process,
how something works or describe an object or event.
BEST TIPS FOR WRITING
Task 2 - you will be asked to write an essay in response to a • Practise with a timer
point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks (20 + 40 min)
must be in a formal style. • Respect the word limit

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Please type your questions in the chat.

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11–14 minutes
The speaking section assesses your use of spoken English.
Every test is recorded.
Part 1 - the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself
and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies
and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
Part 2 - you will be given a card which asks you to talk about a
particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking
for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two
questions on the same topic.
Part 3 - you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2.
These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas
and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.
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 BEST TIPS FOR SPEAKING:

• Give extended answers

• Show off your range of vocabulary and
grammar
• Plan your answer in Part 2
• Generalise in Part 3
• Use fillers and connecting phrases

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Please type your questions in the chat.

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Preparing for IELTS significantly increases your chances of getting
the score you need. By studying with English Online IELTS lessons,
you will get advice on how to improve your writing and speaking
skills, and on how to approach each section of the test. You will learn
about the test format and different question types.
You will also develop effective test strategies and practise doing
sample IELTS tasks.

Exam strategies
Language practice

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Speaking lessons

Theme 1: Speaking: Giving more information

This theme focuses on being able to expand your answers in the IELTS speaking test.

Theme 2: Speaking: Responding to questions

This theme focuses on responding to questions and prompts in the IELTS speaking test.

Theme 3: Speaking: Practice Tests

This theme provides you with mock speaking tests.

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English Online | www.britishcouncil.org
Example speaking lesson
Identifying and responding to common Part 1 topics

By the end of the lesson you will be able to:

• understand the requirements of the IELTS Speaking test
• identify and respond to common Part 1 topics
• produce extended responses by giving reasons or additional
information
• use vocabulary to talk about work and study.

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Writing lessons
Theme 1: Writing: Task 1
This theme prepares you for Part 1 of the IELTS writing test.
Theme 2: Writing: Task 2
This theme focuses on improving your writing for Part 2 of the IELTS writing test.
Theme 3: Writing tutorials: Evaluating your writing
These writing tutorials give you an opportunity to have your writing evaluated by one of our expert teachers.

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Example General Training writing lesson
Shopping: writing introductions and overviews

By the end of the lesson you will be able to:

• produce writing that has a clear purpose
• understand different types of letter-writing task
• write in a formal tone
• use language for making offers and requests.

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 To have the best chance at doing well on IELTS, it’s important that you prepare for the
test.

Understand how the test works

Familiarise yourself with the format of the test by reviewing the test content, as well as
the question and task types for each section.

It’s also important to read through the IELTS rules and regulations. These are laid out
in the Notice to Candidates and Declaration which are included in the application form.

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 Be prepared

Be relaxed

Follow the instructions

Watch the time

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Please type your questions in the chat.

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

In this webinar you have:
• Learned more about IELTS and its components
• Thought about what score you need
• Found out about differences between Academic and General Training
IELTS
• Focused on the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking components
• Got before-the-test and during-the-test advice
• Got answers to your questions about IELTS

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org

Look at the lessons and choose one you are interested in.
Book the lesson and do the pre-lesson tasks.

English Online | www.britishcouncil.org