1. IELTS International English Testing System Familiarisation Workshops
SD43
International Ed
(Adaptation)

2. Workshop Format Overview - Structure Speaking and Listening Writing
- Scoring
- Help
- Q & A
Speaking and Listening
Writing
Reading

3. The Test
All Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Listening 30 mins
Reading mins
Writing mins
Speaking 11 – 14 mins
Total test time 2 hours 45 minutes excluding breaks.

4. Listening Time: 30 minutes 4 sections, 40 questions
Real-world listening situations
Difficulty
Range of topics and tasks
- listening for specific information e.g.dates, place names
- understanding gist
- understanding speaker attitude/opinion

5. Listening Test Format Section 1: conversation – 2 speakers
Section 2: monologue
Section 3: conversation – 4 speakers
Section 4: lecture

6. General listening strategies
Recording is played once
Read question CAREFULLY BEFORE listening
Familiarise yourself with question types
- completing a chart
- selecting pictures
- note-taking exercises
-MC questions

7. Reading Time: 60 minutes 3 reading passages, totally 40 questions
Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers
Question types
- find detailed information
- identify attitudes and views
- complete a diagram

8. General Reading Strategies
Identify reading skills being tested
Practise these skills

9. Writing Time: 60 minutes 2 tasks
Task 1(20mins): descriptive report of a table or diagram, 150 words
Task 2(40 mins):250 word essay in response to an opinion or a problem.
Discuss issues, construct an argument and use the appropriate tone and register.

10. General Writing Strategies
Read the question carefully
Familiarise yourself with descriptions of data – in newspapers, textbooks
Practise formulating your own ideas on topics

11. Speaking Time: 10 – 15 minutes
Face to face interview between one candidate and one examiner.
Part 1(4-5mins): Introduction and interview
Part 2(1-3 mins incl. prep): Individual talk
Part 3(4-5 mins): Discussion topics

12. Speaking Speak fluently and link ideas coherently
Demonstrate a range of appropriate vocabulary
Use accurate grammar and appropriate register
Speak so that a listener can understand

13. Speaking strategies Part 1 Take the initiative if possible
Always say more than yes or no
Try to overcome nerves

14. Speaking Strategies Part 2 - Take the 1 min preparation time
- Jot down some main ideas
- Sound interested in the talk

15. Speaking Strategies Part 3 - Give informed responses
- Demonstrate your control of the language
- Attempt to express abstract ideas
- Support your opinions
- Show that you are willing to provide extended replies

16. Scoring
IELTS provides a profile of a candidate’s ability to use English
Candidates receive a score on a Band Scale from 1-9

17. Scores on the IELTS test are graded into nine bands as follows:
Band 0-Did not attempt the test  
Band 1-Non User  
 Band 2-Intermittent User  
Band 3-Extremely Limited User 
Band 4-Limited User  
Band 5-Modest User  

18. Band 6-Competent User  
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

19. Band 7-Good User  
Band 8-Very Good User  
Band 9 -Expert User  

20. General Strategies Familiarise yourself with the test. Practise
Time Management

21. Useful websites UGC Introductory site http://www.ugccepa.com
IELTS homepage
ELC homepage