There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work learning from failure.

General Colin Powell

Road to successful IELTS

Article contributed by Galiya Aizhanova, EFL and IELTS trainer at NIS Ph.M. Shymkent

It is no secret that nobody of us enjoy taking exams, especially our students. Exams make them feel apprehensive and uncomfortable and IELTS test is not an exception. However, IELTS is the road to their academic and career success and  the bright future. So many people from different parts of the world take this exam. Those, who have taken this exam several times are far more experienced and ready to share some tips to take it successfully. As EFL and IELTS trainer I wish to  give some ideas what exam it is and share some tips with my colleagues.

What is IELTS?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is intended  for higher education and global migration.

What does it test?

There are 4 language skills tested to succeed in a new job or studying abroad:

Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking

What if I have 3-4 days to prepare before the test?

Here are some tips that might help you:

1. Most students struggle with map based tasks and here is what to do: look at the map and hear what the recording is saying. Try to write down what is located where as it is being said. Once the recording is over, look over the side and write the letters next to what is required. So this gives you chance not to lose track of places to be labelled in your map. One more tip: write all your answers in CAPITALS when not sure whether this is a proper noun or not.
2. Most of candidates can be well aware of reading techniques and have enough experience of practicing it. However, there is a tip can save your time. It was given to me by my student Dastan Amanov. Here is what he says: in the exam start with Passage 3 which is the most challenging. Then do Passage 2 and then Passage 1. I actually did it and it worked! What is more, I managed to transfer my answers to the answer sheet and had 4 minutes extra. Another tip: write all your answers in CAPITAL, especially when you are not sure whether this is a proper noun or not.
3. All we know that writing is practiced in classes and checked by teachers only. At home students tend to practice less challenging parts like listening and reading. So here is the tip: “If you want to be good at writing, do copywork!” You should download the best models of essays that would score band 9 and start copying them down. Four different types of essay are quite enough. Each should be copied at lest 2-3 times. Here are its benefits:
4. a) It improves your style
5. b) It improves your word choice and syntax
6. c) It improves your paragraphs
7. d) It improves your spelling, punctuation and grammar
8. e) It improves your memory and focus
9. f) It improves your handwriting.
10. g) It’s meditative.

4. It especially helps if there is nobody to practice with you and evaluate your answers. Go to Youtube! You will find there sample interviews. You will see how it goes. You will hear how the native speakers sound as well as the candidates. And finally, you will definitely have some ideas how you will take that by making up plans in your mind!

In conclusion, I would like to say – even we, teachers are afraid of exams. Admitting this fact, we should never stop motivating our students for success.

Айжанова Галия Тайжановна,
Шымкент қаласы
Физика – Математика бағытындағы
Назарбаев зияткерлік мектебі