IELTS is an English proficiency test that assesses listening, reading, writing and speaking skills. It is accepted by over 6000 academic institutions worldwide. The test consists of four sections - listening, reading, writing and speaking. This document provides an overview of each section and offers tips and strategies for test takers. Some key tips include reading directions carefully, using allotted time wisely, answering all questions, and practicing speaking for sustained periods to build fluency and confidence. Proper preparation and familiarity with question types are emphasized as important for test success.

1. IELTS: Overview, Tips and Strategies TESOL New Orleans 2011 March 18, 2011 Ozgur Pala David Bartsch

2. Intended audience New to IELTS General information

3. Overview General information about IELTS General information for each test section Tips and strategies

4. So many tips! Moving quickly Write down what you can Available at www.slideshare.net/bartsch

5. So many tips! “Mr. Osborne, may I be excused? My brain is full.” http://lh6.ggpht.com/_naHgYc2uwFc/S_AxvAnd7fI/AAAAAAABSNw/JAcQVf5qggk/farside-cartoon.jpg

6. General information

7. IELTS IELTS (International English Language Testing System) tests English proficiency across the globe Managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations

8. IELTS IELTS tests all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking Two versions: Academic and General

9. IELTS

10. Why Take IELTS Reliable 9-band scoring system Predictively valid Consistent test administration Quality-controlled system of examiners Recruitment, training, benchmarking, certification and monitoring

11. Why Take IELTS Accessible More than 800 test centers world-wide 51 cities in the US Recognized More than 6000 institutions and programs 3000 in the US

12. Why Take IELTS Free IELTS Test Report Form Verification Service For some, preferable to TOEFL iBT No typing No integration tasks Face-to-face speaking tasks

13. Details Exams offered at each testing center roughly 4 times a month Again: check for academic vs. general Roughly US$180-200 Results recommended as valid for two years

14. Procedure Register online at www.ielts.org Register early Pay the fee Bring passport-sized photo (without glasses)

15. Procedure Bring a photocopy of passport picture page Copy of national identity card is okay Test results are announced in about 2 weeks Individual centers: picked up in-person or sent via mail No results over the phone or by fax or email.

16. Scores There is no pass or fail in IELTS. The score needed depends on requirements of the accepting institution Scores from 1 to 9 for each test area Scores listed as whole or half bands 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0

18. Testing order Listening Reading Writing Speaking Note: might be on a different day

19. Typical improvement Can improve XXX score in XXXX time

20. No magic bullets Good English + good test-taking skills = success No secret recipes

21. No magic bullets “I’ve gotten over my fear of tests, but now I seem to have developed studying anxiety.”

22. No magic bullets Practice…and practice well Exam can be taken multiple times

23. General test tips and strategies Every test Every time

24. General test tips and strategies Read the directions carefully Skim/scan Only give required number of answers Spell answers correctly, particularly when already given in the question or passage Use exact wording from passage

25. General test tips and strategies Questions appear in passage order Answers from life experience vs. answers from the passage Underline key words in Qs Use prediction skills Numbers, amounts, parts of speech, etc.

26. General test tips and strategies Focus on IELTS-specific information

27. Common topics throughout the test There are always texts related to these topics on IELTS exams Check the topics on the official IELTS website or your preparation book Some of these topics are: Technology Consumerism Health Natural world

28. Section information: Listening

29. Listening overview

30. Listening overview

31. Listening overview

32. Listening overview

33. Tips for Listening Test “I find the easiest way to expand my vocabulary is to make up words.” http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVF377b8kY0/S741gQW0fhI/AAAAAAAAEDs/KwLtXDhBpyw/s1600/7697_english_cartoon.gif

34. Tips for Listening Test Important: spelling is assessed, even in the Listening exam!

36. Tips for Listening Test Tip: transfer answers carefully 10-minutes allotted

37. Tips for Listening Test No opportunity to re-listen Tip: take notes Only around 30 seconds pre-listening time Tip: use time wisely—read next question; don’t transfer answers

38. Tip: use required number of words

39. Section 4: different No assigned time for reading questions in section 4 during the recording Tip: read through all the questions first

40. Tip: test answers follow Q order

41. Q types Important: significantly different than TOEFL Tip: be familiar with Q types

42. Question types: labeling a map or plan

43. Question types: labeling a diagram

44. Mixed question types: fill in the blanks

45. Mixed question types: fill in the flowchart blanks 4 …………………………. Speech in infants’ 5 ……………….. of life Speech in children 6 ………………. years

46. Mixed question types: complete the table

47. Mixed question types: complete the flowchart Beetle lay eggs Eggs become grubs Grubs eat the 4 ………….. Sugar cane 5 …………..

48. Mixed question types: multiple choice

49. Section information: reading

50. Reading overview

51. Reading overview

52. Reading overview

53. Reading overview

54. Reading overview

55. Reading A difficult question carries the same number of points as an easy question Tip: answer the easy questions first

56. Guessing “When can I stop making wild guesses and start making educated guesses?” http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jha/lowres/jhan289l.jpg

57. Reading No penalty for guessing Tip: answer every question

58. Reading Note: no extra time to transfer answers No specialist knowledge required Copy passage answers correctly: spelling! Tip: beware of singular/plural

59. No title or subheading? A question may test understanding of the theme or purpose of the passage

60. Match the headings with paragraphs

61. Matching Headings may have similar/identical words as a paragraph, but that does not mean that heading goes with that paragraph. Tip: match ideas not words

62. Problem: speed “Passages are too long” Tip: work on speed How? Extensive reading How? Read chunks, not words, etc.

63. Gaps There may be two gaps, worth one or two marks. Tip: the word ‘both’ in a sentence or summary signals that two answers may be required.

64. Paraphrasing IELTS questions often use different words or phrases from those used in the passage Tip: practice paraphrasing skills—essential!

65. Paraphrasing

66. Paraphrasing: London tours Q: “On this tour you can see where an artificial watercourse used to end.” A: “We pass…the original termination of the New River, constructed to bring water to London from springs over 30km away.”

67. Paraphrasing: London tours Q: “This tour includes a functioning market.” A: “…then (we) continue to Borough Market, where you’ll find it hard to choose among all the fine food and other goods on sale. (excerpts from Objective IELTS Intermediate)

69. Keywords A: “For more than 250 years Mayfair has been the most upmarket district in London…” A: “We walk along to St. John Street, where animals used to be driven on their way to Smithfield Market.” A: “…then (we) continue to Borough Market…”

70. No partial marks for partial answers

71. Section information: writing

72. Writing overview

73. Writing overview

74. Writing overview

75. Task 1 Description of a graph, table, process or a combination of the three Purpose: describe and compare data Tip: don’t suggest causes or reasons for the data Tip: don’t simply list the information Note dates and times in the data Tip: use the appropriate tense

76. Task 2 Description: academic-style essay Purpose: write a well-organized essay with appropriate support of opinion

77. Guidelines

78. Guidelines http://www.cloverbar.ca/article_images/40/math%20exam%20cartoon.jpg

79. Guidelines

80. Guidelines

81. Guidelines

82. Guidelines

83. Guidelines

84. Guidelines

85. Guidelines

86. Guidelines

87. “Can you believe I got a ‘C’ in English? And I was doing so good!” http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jlv/lowres/jlvn494l.jpg

88. Range of structures: important

89. Writing strategies Paragraphs Have one idea per paragraph Content Avoid informal language Don’t memorize model answers Opinion: no correct answer, just a clear position and good support

90. Writing strategies Procedure Be careful with timing - don't rush Task Two is longer and is worth more points Leave time to edit

91. Writing strategies ‘Yes well, legibility and correct punctuation might not be “street”…but that’s how I roll, dude.’ http://bigeyedeer.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/graf.gif?w=500&h=402

92. Writing assessment: 4 key issues Content Grammar Vocabulary Cohesion

93. Ways to affect a score

94. Ways to affect a score For a two-part answer, both parts must be addressed; otherwise, no more than Band 5 for content If main ideas are related but off-topic, no more than Band 5

95. Section information: speaking

96. Note Listening, Reading and Writing=same day Speaking=same day…or up to a week before or after

97. Speaking overview

98. Speaking overview

99. Speaking overview

100. Speaking overview

101. Speaking overview

102. Speaking overview

103. Part 1 Very short answers=lost points Tip: aim for two to four spoken sentences for each answer.

104. Part 1 “I didn’t feel answers were necessary. All the questions seemed rhetorical.” http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mba/lowres/mban839l.jpg

105. Part 1 examples

106. Part 2 Take notes on key points asked in the question. Tip: don’t write full sentences No credit for repeating words in the task Practice speaking for at least a minute—harder than it sounds Tip: using a watch during the exam is permitted

107. Part 2 prompts

108. Part 2 prompts

109. Part 3 samples

110. Part 3 samples

111. Part 3 Goal: a well-reasoned, smoothly-connect, justified answer No wrong answers: quality and content of speechare graded, not opinions No knowledge of topic? Too bad! Tip: specifically practice speaking about obscure topics (…fake it!)

112. Part 3 Rephrase the question in your own words to help you explore the issues raised Think about desired action: explain, compare, describe, speculate, etc. Quickly develop ideas and jot them down

113. Speaking strategies Desired: effective communication, not “perfect” answers Tip: don't memorize answers Develop answers as much as possible Tip: never give one-word answers to questions Carefully consider appropriate tense and vocabulary

114. Appropriate vocabulary…! Due to his grammar mistake, Wilbur found a position. It just wasn’t the one he wanted. http://myexpatgermany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/foreign-language-school-pig-cartoon.jpg

115. Speaking strategies Examiners may repeat questions Tip: don’t be afraid to ask Speaking clearly and using stress and intonation will help communicate ideas

116. Speaking assessment: 4 aspects Fluency Grammar Vocabulary Pronunciation

117. Sources New Insights into IELTS by Jakeman and McDowell Objective IELTS Intermediate by Black and Sharp Many others…see the vendors in the exhibit hall

118. Contacting us Ozgur Pala ozgur.pala@qu.edu.qa David Bartsch david.bartsch@qu.edu.qa Available at www.slideshare.net/bartsch