IELTS Seminar : IELTS Seminar
Slide 2 : IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates wishing to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. IELTS is recognised by more than 6000 institutions across the world as a measure of an individual’s English language proficiency. IELTS opens doors to international education, employment and professional recognition over a million candidates each year.
Slide 3 : Over 2000 US universities and professional bodies accept IELTS scores as proof of English language skills.
It is also accepted by 8 Ivy league universities.
Slide 4 : The World Speaks IELTS
It measures ability to communicate across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking
Recognised by over 6,000 education institutions, faculties, government agencies and professional organisations around the world
IELTS scores are a trusted and valid indicator of ability to communicate in English.
Over a million people a year are now using IELTS to open doors throughout the English-speaking world and beyond.
The test is taken every year across 121 countries, and is one of the fastest growing English language tests in the world, and sets the standard in integrity, research and innovation.
Slide 5 : a test of all four language skills
a test of international English
a test that sets communicative tasks, in a variety of item types, on whole texts
NOT a test of study skills, grammar or a particular subject area
test of communicative proficiency in English for study or work in English
Slide 6 : 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 IELTS Bandscores Expert User Very Good User
Modest User Limited User Extremely Limited User Intermittent User Non User Good User Competent User
Slide 7 : Academic or General Training?
Slide 8 : The Academic Reading and Writing Modules assess whether a candidate is ready to study or work in the medium of English at an undergraduate, postgraduate or professional level.
Slide 9 : The General Training Reading and Writing Modules are
not designed to test the full range of formal language skills required for academic purposes,
but emphasise basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context.
General Training is
suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries
to complete their secondary education,
to undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level,
or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Exam format (duration 3 hours) : Exam format (duration 3 hours) LISTENING
4 sections, 4 items,
30 minutes A. WRITING
2 compositions
60 minutes A. READING
3 sections, 4 items,
60 minutes G. T. READING
3 sections, 4 items,
60 minutes G.T. WRITING
2 compositions
60 minutes SPEAKING
11 - 15 minutes
Listening Module : The recorded texts increase in difficulty as test progresses
There is a mixture of monologues and conversations
Types of tasks:
multiple choice
True/False/Not Given
Table completion
Cloze or gap fill
labelling
answers of no more than three words.
There is TEN minutes to transfer answers Listening Module
Sentence completion : Sentence completion Listen to this job interview and fill the gaps number 1 – 10. Surname: Robinson
First name: 1._______________
Address: 2._________________
Prestwich, Manchester
Telephone: 3._______________
Date of Birth: 4._____________
Marital status: 5.____________
Qualifications (‘A’ Levels):
6._________________________
Degree subject: 7.___________
Water Management, Sheffield University Work experience:
Post 1: Irrigation Project engineer
Employer: 8.________________
Length of service: 9._________
Post 2: 10.__________________
Employer: Latimer engineering
Length of service: 1988 to present
Slide 13 : Surname: Robinson
First name: 1. Steven
Address: 2. Dynevor Gardens, Prestwich, Manchester
Telephone: 3. 483 250
Date of Birth: 4. 12/07/61
Marital status: 5. single
Qualifications (‘A’ Levels):
6. geography, maths, physics
Degree subject: 7. engineering
Water Management, Sheffield University Work experience:
Post 1: Irrigation Project engineer
Employer: 8. the Chinese Government
Length of service: 9. 2 years
Post 2: 10. (project) research assistant
Employer: Latimer engineering
Length of service: 1988 to present
Slide 14 : Multiple choice
Slide 15 : Cloze or gap fill
Slide 16 : Labelling
Listening Pointers and Suggestions : Listening Pointers and Suggestions You will only hear the recording once
At the beginning, if you can’t hear, say so!
Read all the questions first
Try to understand the context from the questions
Make notes of one word or two. Do not write sentences for notes
Don’t worry about one question! You have many more to answer!
You will have 10 mins to transfer your answers
Slide 19 : Listening for specific information.
Writing down spelled words at speed.
Accurate spelling of common words.
Writing down numbers e.g. phone numbers.
Developing a note-taking code.
Predicting the information required. Listening skills needed
Slide 20 : Listening answer sheet
Slide 21 : Exam format (duration 3 hours) LISTENING
4 sections, 4 items,
30 minutes A. WRITING
2 compositions
60 minutes A. READING
3 sections, 4 items,
60 minutes G. T. READING
3 sections, 4 items,
60 minutes G.T. WRITING
2 compositions
60 minutes SPEAKING
11 - 15 minutes
Slide 22 : The differences are the reading contexts
Types of tasks:
matching exercises
True / False / No Information
Yes / No / Not given
multiple choice
cloze or gap fill
sentence completion
short answer questions.
Time to transfer answers is included in the allotted time period. Reading ModuleAcademic and General Training
Slide 23 : Skimming or Scanning
Skimming to get a general idea of the topic
Scanning the text for specific information
Multiple choice : Multiple choice Questions 1 – 3 refer to Extract 1, Arriving at London Airports
Decide if the following are TRUE, FALSE of if the information you need is not given according to Extract 1, and write T for true, F for false and NG for not given in the space provided. The first one has been done for you as an example.
Example: If you want to visit London, you should follow the ARRIVALS
sign. T
If you want to transfer to an international flight, you should follow the
transfer sign. __
2. You can collect your baggage from any carousel __
3. When you reach the Arrivals Hall you have completed airport formalities. __
READING Academic/General : READING Academic/General Follow the ARRIVALS sign if you are ending your journey in London or transferring to a UK domestic flight.
This will take you to the Immigration Hall where you must present your passport and any necessary visa/ health documents.
At HEATHROW airport proceed downstairs to claim your baggage from the carousel indicating your flight number. At GATWICK airport proceed downstairs in the North Terminal to claim your baggage from the carousel indicating your flight number. Free trolleys are available for your bags.
To clear customs take the Red Channel if you have goods to declare or the Green Channel if you have no goods to declare.
You will then be in the Arrivals Hall. From here you can obtain transport into central London; transfer between Gatwick and Heathrow airports and transfer to UK domestic flights.
Getting into London from the airport : Getting into London from the airport 4. How do you know how much to pay for the taxi?
5. What will the cost of the taxi be dependent on?
6. Why can’t you go the wrong way on the tube?
7. What type of card allows you to travel anywhere on the bus and tube?
8. What is the advantage of travelling into London by coach?
Getting into London from the airport : Getting into London from the airport TAXI – You will have no difficulty finding one of the famous black taxis to take you to central London. The metered fare to Oxford Street will be in the region of $50 dependent on traffic. The taxis carry up to 5 passengers and the driver will not charge more than is shown on the meter.
UNDERGROUND - The ‘tube’ as it is also known, is a cheap and efficient way to travel. Heathrow has two underground stations which are clearly signposted and which run into the heart of the city. Heathrow is on a loop in the line so it is impossible to get on a train going in the wrong direction. It will take about 50 minutes to get to central London and Special Travelcards are available which offer unlimited travel on public transport.
BY BUS - ‘Airbuses’ run from the central bus station and are a great way to see London from the comfort of a coach as you are driven into the city. The cost of a single journey is about $8.
Reading Tips : Read the instructions and underline key words
Read the questions / statements first
Look at the first question / statement
Skim read for the relevant paragraph
Then scan the paragraph for the answer
If an answer is not immediately obvious, leave it and come back to it later
If you don’t know the answer, take a guess – you won’t lose any points!!!
Remember – You don’t have time to enjoy the text! Reading Tips
How to help students. : How to help students. Practise skimming and scanning techniques and justifying answers.
Practise speed reading.
Recognising topic sentences to know what a paragraph is about.
Guessing word-meaning from context.
Reading widely outside their own subject area.
Practise spelling!!!
Readinganswer sheet : Readinganswer sheet
Slide 31 : If you have any doubts on what to do during the exam, you must ask the supervisor at the beginning of the exam NOT during.
You cannot ask for guidance on how to answer the questions
Make sure you pass your answers from the answer booklet to the answer sheets in the reading and listening sections - 10 minutes allowed for the listening paper only – Not the Reading.
If you think your performance may be affect for health reasons during the exam you must inform the supervisor immediately.
In case of illness the British Council will only accept an official medical excuse (officially translated). You will then have the right to transfer to the next available IELTS session upon paying a transfer fee of $50,000. IELTS - Tips to follow during the exam
IELTS and the European Framework : IELTS and the European Framework
Slide 33 : Oscar Trigueros