IELTS
International English Language Testing System, is an internationally recognised test for English Language, developed and regulated by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.
There are two options for the IELTS tests: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Both tests are assessed using the same grading criteria. The test consists of four parts, with the first three (Listening, Reading, and Writing) taken on the same day without breaks. The Speaking test will be scheduled either on the same day or within a seven-day window before or after, depending on local arrangements. At Native English UK, we mainly focus on the academic option for the exam as that seems to be the most popular route taken by students.
Exam Aspects
There are two types of IELTS Examinations: General and Academic. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes, which is divided in 4 sections below:
Reading
Lasting up to 60 minutes and comprising of 40 questions, this section contains reading extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. 8 Skills are tested in this section -reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose
Listening
Lasting 30 minutes, this section contains 4 audio recordings with a native English speaker of varying accents. The first recording contains a conversation between two people in an everyday social context. The second recording is a monologue set in an everyday social context. The third audio is a conversation with up to 4 people (group setting) in an educational or training context. Finally, the fourth audio is a monologue on an academic subject.
Writing
Lasting up to 60 minutes, this section has two tasks, 1 and 2. The first task (usually more challenging) – a diagram with facts and figures is presented, which can be either a chart (s) or map or working-process diagram. The second task deals with writing an essay, explaining point of view, argument or a problem in response to a question.
Speaking
Usually lasting between 11-14 minutes, this section contains 3 tasks. The first task is talking about 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. The second task is talking in response to a particular topic shown in the card. The student has one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic. Task 3 is an extension of task 2 and further questions on the previously explained answer is discussed in a Q&A format. It provides an opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.
Difference between General & Academic IELTS Exam
The key difference lies in the Reading and Writing Section of the exam, with other parts remaining the same.
Section : Academic Reading
Timing 60 minutes
No. of questions 40
Task types: A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following; multiple choice, identifying information, identifying the writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion and short-answer questions.
Answering: Texts are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers, and have been written for a non-specialist audience. All the topics are of general interest. They deal with issues which are interesting, recognisably appropriate and accessible to test takers entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration. The passages may be written in a variety of styles, for example narrative, descriptive or discursive/argumentative. At least one text contains detailed logical argument. Texts may contain non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts contain technical terms a simple glossary is provided.
Section Academic Writing
Timing 60 minutes
No. of questions 2
Task types: In Task 1, test takers are asked to respond to a situation, for example, by writing a letter requesting information or explaining a situation.
In Task 2, test takers write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.
Answering: Answers must be written in full in the answer booklet. Notes or bullet points in whole or in part are not acceptable as answers. Test takers may write on the question paper but this cannot be taken from the test room and will not be seen by the examiner.
Score Banding & Description
| Band score | Skill level | Description |
| 9 | Expert User | The test taker has fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding. |
| 8 | Very good user | The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well. |
| 7 | Good User | The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
| 6 | Competent User | The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. They can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| 5 | Modest User | The test taker has a partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes. They should be able to handle basic communication in their own field. |
| 4 | Limited User | The test taker’s basic competence is limited to familiar situations. They frequently show problems in understanding and expression. They are not able to use complex language. |
| 3 | Extremely limited user | The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
| 2 | Intermittent user | The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| 1 | Non User | The test taker has no ability to use the language except a few isolated words. |
| 0 | Did Not Attempt | The test taker did not answer the questions. |
Why study with us?
The students are taught by Joshua Levy, who has more than 3 years, combined experience in teaching for IELTS.
No books are used for teaching, exam materials are created from the actual study material itself.
The lesson format is randomised, in way that student is always expecting the unexpected, in order to avoid “complacency”.
All materials are available on Google Classroom and Drive, which the student can readily access.
The student submits assignments both in paper and digital formats, and feedback is provided as per examination requirements
Success Story
“I have taught Ekaterina since late 2019, and throughout the pandemic and lockdown in 2020, she never missed her lessons. She always has a positive attitude and enjoyed learning and practicing English. One thing she loved doing was reading and speaking. Sometimes, our lessons would go off on a tangent, and we would just talk random stuff, have a laugh and share ideas, and whilst doing those things we used to practice our IELTS questions.
Over time, we kept up the similar pace, duration and format, till the time it became a “second nature” for her, and she gained confidence over time, began to speak fluently. During those times, I prepared a tutor reference letter for United Kingdom, as she wished to study an undergraduate program in Arts & Design from UK’s most prestigious university.
Come 2021, she successfully sat and passed her exam with flying colours, she also obtained her admission at the university and will be pursuing her HE (Higher Education) in the UK later in 2021″
Joshua Levy
Training & Certifications
Training from IDP Australia
During the Coronavirus lockdown in 2020, Joshua successfully completed his hybrid training on IELTS teaching and delivery method from IDP Australia.
Training from British Council England
This was a unique training session with actual IELTS Examiners who delivered training in a workshop format at the British Council’s headquarters in Manchester. Each session lasted around 8 hours, and rigorous tasks were completed, based on task 1 and 2 formats.
