Study English - IELTS Preparation - Australia Network

Study English is designed for intermediate to advanced English language learners, especially those using English for study purposes.

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System, and is an internationally recognised test of English language proficiency.

Australia Network in partnership with Insearch, University of Technology, Sydney have produced 2 TV series of Study English for a total of 52 episodes. All episodes are available online with downloads, notes and activities to help you pass your IELTS test:
http://australianetwork.com/studyenglish

Series 1 is also available as a book/DVD set, follow the link on our site for more info.

Australia Network has a range of English learning programs online including vodcasts (video downloads) and more available at:
http://australianetwork.com/learningenglish

Ielts is designed to help universities and colleges test the skill paper wanted to study in the English language.

It's also used as the general test of English for immigration and employment in many countries.

Candicates can choose to sit the IELTS academic test or the general training test.

The academic IELTS test is for people who want to study at the university where English is the medium of the instruction.

The general training test is for people who need a more general level of English for colleges,schools,employment or immigration.

The IELTS test is divided into four sections: Listening,reading,writing and speaking.

All candicates sit the same listening and speaking test.

However,Academic and general training candicates each sit a different reading and writing test.

There is no pass or fail mark in the IELTS test.

Candicates are marked on a band scale of one to nine in each part.

This band indicates candicate's competency from no evidence of language to expert user.

All candicates will see the test result form.

This is the overall band score as well as the score for each individual part of test.

Okay,so what can you do to make sure you get the best score possible.

Here are three important points.

Firstly,you must know the test format.

What are the sections of the test.Which section comes first.How much time does it last for each question.

How many questions are there.How long must you spend for.

Secondly,you should do pratice tests under strict tests conditions.

Make sure you follow all of the instructions closely.

Finally,you should make sure you use English everyday.

This is highly best used ,especially in speaking-English countries.

But you can still practice fine English in groups,go to English films,listen to English on the radio.

Join an online chatroom and read English books and magazines.

Many candicates enroll in the Ielts preparation course at the language school to help them carefully combine the independent study and daily practice in the English language.

The preparation course will help you chase your band score.

An ielts preparation course will cover four sections of the test.

You learn all the different question types that might be asked in each section.

To prepare for the listening section,you learn to recognize intonation patterns and to recognize different varieties of spoken English.

and to practice listening for the general and specific information.

You also study for the reading test.

You learn to skim for general understanding of the test and scan for specific information.

You learn to develop vocabulary,to summarise information

and look at how to determine a writer's attitude and opinion on the topic.

For the writing section,you learn to adjust to writing style according to purpose,

write paragraphs,introductions and conclusions.

use conjuctions and referents,organise information logically within the test,

and use examples and evidence to support an argument.

And of course ,you also pracitce your speaking test.

Looking at pronunciation,intonation,and fluency.

You learn to use and understand common phrases and to interact with other speakers.

You learn to speak for an extended time on a particular topic and practice discussing the topic.

Good IELTS preparation courses also provide individual tuition so you can well your specific of nate.

And provide individual feedback too so you know exactly how you are going.

The listening test consists of four sections and takes 30 minutes.

As you listen to each section,you'll be given time to read the questions,write your answers in the test booklet and to check them.

At the end of section four,you'll be given an extra ten minutes to transfer your answers to the listening answer sheet.

You will hear a range of English accents and dialects including Australian,British,North American,New Zealand,Irish and others.

After the listening test is the reading test .It goes sixty minutes.

It consists of three or sometimes four reading passages of increasing difficulty and there is a total of 40 questions to answer.

Though you can mark and write on the question paper,you must enter your answers on the reading answer sheet.

Be aware that no extra time is given for transfering your answers from the question paper to the answer sheet.

Writing is the third module in the IELTS test and takes sixty minutes.

There are two tasks to complete,each of which requires different task types and different style of writing,

including formal academic writing.

The writing test is into two parts.

There is no choice of question.

In the academic test,task 1 requires you to write 250 word-report.

The general training test requires a letter.

Task 2 requires you to write a discussion of at least 150 words.

The speaking test is last of four tests in IELTS.

It consists of all interview between the candicate and IELTS train examiner.

The interview lasts for approximately 11 to 14 minutes.

There are three parts in the speaking test.

The introduction and interview,the individual dialogue,and a discussion or dialogue.

To begin,there is introduction.

This lasts for one minute.

The examiner introduces him or herself and would confer identity of the candicate.

And interview of 3 to 4 minutes follows,the examiner asks questions for cold and short answers.

Then ir's the individual long-term dialogue.

This section goes for 3 to 4 minutes.

The examiner asks the candicate to speak for 1 to 2 minutes on the topic.

The candicate has one minute to prepare.

The examiner marks by including one or two short questions.

Finally there is a discussion or dialogue section.

This goes for between four to five minutes.

The examiner generates the discussion relating to the topic introduced in part 2

The candicate is expected to give longer responses to the questions.

So it's important that you not only practice your English but that you prepare for all different sections in an IELTS test.

And after all your preparation,follow the simple suggestions

To help ensure the day of the test go smoothly

and you stay calm.

This is the best way to get the highest score you can

Arrive early,at least half an hour

You dont want to be late,upset or fluttered.

When doing the test,concentrate on the part you have in front of you.

Dont worry about what you've already done to what coming up next.

Use your time well.

Know how long you need to spend on each section.

and dont get stuck on one answer.

and if you finish early,go back and check the answers carefully.

While you're working hard for preparing for IELTS exam,

remember it's also important to relax and do some activities that you enjoy.

And occasion to break your studies will give you fresh energy

and motivation.

and dont forget the night before you sit the IELTS test,go to bed early and get blank to your brain.

So that's all for now.

I hope this introduction to ielts has been successful.

Good luck for your study.