7 Tips to Nail Your IELTS Test
7 Tips to Nail Your IELTS Test
Taking and passing an English test is a crucial part of coming to study in the UK. Whether you’re planning to come and study abroad or migrating for work, you will be required to take the IELTS exam. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assesses your English speaking, listening, reading and writing. This post explores seven tried-and-tested tips for your upcoming IELTS test.
- Study vocabulary
Any language learner is taught to put words into the proper context as much as possible. You can learn to do this by reading frequently. The more words you are exposed to, the better your vocabulary will be. Some great techniques of studying new vocabulary include using it in writing, reading texts containing this vocabulary and incorporating the words into your daily conversations.
- Read
Reading is one of the easiest ways to improve your language skills. There is a wealth of information available online for you to read. When you first read a text, you should skim it to form a general impression of what it is about. It’s okay if you don’t understand every word, what’s important is that you have a broad understanding of the topic. After that, go back and read through it carefully, looking up any unfamiliar words as you go. Then, with these definitions in mind read through the text a third time.
- Write
Before you start writing, you should always make an outline. An outline will help you organise your ideas and put them in the best order before you start writing. Most importantly, having a good outline means you can focus on the language you are using (vocabulary and sentence structure) rather than the ideas you will present. It is often better to use the vocabulary you are comfortable with instead of big unfamiliar words which you may use incorrectly. Lastly, remember to always proofread after you are done writing!
- Exercise fluency and pronunciation
The best way to achieve fluency and excellent pronunciation is by speaking English consistently. By frequently speaking in English, you reinforce what you have learned and imprint it in your mind. A great way to improve your speaking is by recording and listening to your own voice. This can help you discover which words you are mispronouncing and where your weaknesses lie. Another technique is to repeat phrases after the speaker in recordings to help you use stress and intonation appropriately.
- Listen
Watching English television and films can be a great way to improve your listening skills. You can add English subtitles to the show/film you are watching, allowing you to practice your reading and listening at the same time. Additionally, radio shows, music and YouTube videos can be a great way to increase your knowledge of colloquial English. BBC Sounds is a great worldwide streaming service that provides a range of free music, podcasts and stories online.
- Do practice IELTS tests
Guide your preparation by taking IELTS practice tests. This will help establish where your strengths and weaknesses are. By doing practice tests you will become aware of time constraints, and it will help you feel more confident when it comes to the actual test!
- Take extra English classes
If you are struggling with certain aspects of the English language or feel you need some extra tuition, you should book some extra English classes. Taking IELTS preparation classes is the easiest way to get exam ready. At TopCourses we provide our bespoke IELTS preparation classes. These consist of one-on-one tutoring and a completely personalised syllabus to help you improve your overall score in a much shorter timeframe than traditional IELTS courses. To learn more about our service, book a free initial consultation today!
