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Study Tips

What’s the Best IELTS Course for Beginners?

IELTS Beginner Course

Everyday I get the same message from people all over the world: “Teach me about IELTS!”

“What do you want to know?” I reply.

“Everything!” comes the answer.

Some people have a desperate need to pass IELTS, but they don’t quite know where to begin. That’s why I decided to write this post on what to do if you’re a complete IELTS beginner. First, I’m going to point you to some useful articles on this website that you should read first. Then I’m going to explain why you should take a complete IELTS course for beginners and tell you what I consider to be the best course for your money. Finally, I’ll give you some hints for further practice.

Must-reads for IELTS beginners

IELTS consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. See my four posts below for an introduction to each section and a list of some of the key skills required.

IELTS Listening: Introduction
IELTS Reading: Introduction
IELTS Writing: Introduction
IELTS Speaking: Introduction

Then come back here and we’ll proceed to the next stage.

Choosing an IELTS beginner course

You can pick up a lot of helpful information by reading about IELTS on sites like this one. But for most people, the easiest way to learn is by following a teacher.

Here you have two options. One is to search for beginner-level IELTS courses at language schools in your city. The second is to enroll in an online IELTS course. The online option is usually cheaper and gives you a wider choice of teachers. I have a great recommendation for you in Part 3 below.

In both cases, make sure the course is both comprehensive and suitable for beginners. What are the advantages of taking a comprehensive beginner-level course?

Advantage #1: You don’t miss anything. A good IELTS beginner course includes all the question types plus the most important strategies, so it gives you an excellent foundational knowledge of the test.

Advantage #2: You understand things more easily. If you’re new to IELTS, it can be very confusing when people say you have to practice skimming or scanning, or identify a paraphrase or thesis statement. You can waste a lot of time just trying to find out exactly what these words mean! A good IELTS beginner course assumes no prior knowledge of the test and explains everything in simple terms.

Advantage #3: You get equal coverage of all four sections of the test. Sometimes it’s hard to judge your own ability. You might think you need to practice speaking, for example, when it’s your reading skills that are the real problem. A good IELTS beginner course gives equal attention to all four sections regardless of what you, the learner, think is most important!

Is there a recommended IELTS course for beginners?

In my opinion, the best IELTS beginner course online right now is IELTS Preparation for Beginners on Udemy. It was created by two IELTS teachers, Adam and Emma, who take turns walking you through the four sections of the test using simple language.

Udemy Course: IELTS Preparation for Beginners

The course consists of 20 short lectures which take around five hours in total to complete. You could watch the whole course in half a day or—and this is my recommendation—break it up into four lessons over four days so that you have time to digest what you’ve learned. The entire course costs around the same as a standard textbook so it’s well worth giving it a try.

View the course contents and watch a free preview of IELTS Preparation for Beginners.

Congratulations, you’ve passed the IELTS beginner stage!

Now that you’ve read the articles and completed the course above, you’re no longer an IELTS beginner. Nice work! At this point, you might consider taking a full practice test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Then you can start to specialise in one or more of the sections to give yourself that all-important extra practice.

To practice IELTS listening or IELTS reading, the best thing to do is purchase the past test papers published by Cambridge ESOL, or a good IELTS textbook. See my list of recommended textbooks for self-study here.

To practice IELTS writing or IELTS speaking with me, see my online IELTS practice tests here. As part of each test, I will tell you your score and give you feedback and coaching on how to improve.

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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 5: Money

IELTS Speaking Sample Questions: Money

How much money is enough? Try these IELTS speaking sample questions with a partner. You can also download a PDF of this IELTS speaking practice test for classroom use.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Interview (4-5 minutes)

Answer the following questions about your personal habits and preferences.

Is this your first IELTS test?

How are you feeling right now?

Do you like shopping?

Have you bought anything interesting recently?

How important is money to you?

Do you think you will have lots of money in future?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Individual long-turn (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to read the instructions in the box and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.

Describe something you want to buy but can’t afford.

You should say:

What you would like to buy

How much it costs

Why you can’t afford it

And explain if there is any other way you could acquire it.

Follow-up question: Could you live without it?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

Give your opinion on various issues connected to money  Support your opinion with relevant examples and make comparisons where possible.

Money

How much money is enough?

What things can money not buy?

Do people care too much about money?

Money problems

What problems does money cause in your society?

Do children need better financial education?

Could human beings live without money?

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IELTS Writing Sample answers Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2: Discuss Both Views Essay with Sample Answer

IELTS Writing Discuss Both Sides Essay

IELTS Writing Task 2: Question

Try this IELTS Writing question which requires you to discuss both views of an issue. It’s basically the same as an argument essay that we studied previously. The wording of the question is different, that’s all.

The free movement of goods across national borders has long been a controversial issue. Some people argue that it is necessary for economic growth, while others claim that it damages local industries.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion. You should write at least 250 words.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Model Answer

One of the most debatable issues of the last century has been the extent to which international trade benefits or harms national economies. Many arguments have been made for and against free trade between nations. In this essay, I will discuss both views and state my own position.

Those who support the expansion of global free trade claim that economies grow faster when they can specialise in just a few industries in which they have a strong advantage. As a result, each region or country produces something of value to the world economy. For example, East Asia manufactures electronic goods, the Middle East exports energy, and the EU produces luxury items. Free trade proponents claim that dependence on global trade helps to strengthen international cooperation and prevent wars.

Meanwhile, opponents of free trade—sometimes called ‘protectionists’—claim that the unrestricted movement of goods and services causes damage to local communities. This is because jobs are lost when it becomes cheaper to import a product than to produce it domestically. They also argue that the vast distances travelled by food, oil, and consumer goods is harming the environment and making our lives unsustainable. Protectionists are in favour of tighter controls on the movement of goods and services in order to protect jobs and livelihoods.

In conclusion, while there are convincing arguments on both sides of the debate, a return to protectionist policies would surely be a mistake. I believe that global trade is inevitable and should not be restricted. It is no longer realistic for nations to source all of their energy, food, and manufactured goods within their own borders.

(267 words; IELTS 9.0)

Why does this Task 2 answer get a Band 9 score?

Task response: The model answer discusses both sides of the argument in equal measure and ends with a clear opinion. The writer includes background information and examples. The essay meets the word requirement.

Coherence and cohesion: The model answer is clearly structured, with each body paragraph discussing a different side of the argument. The relationship between paragraphs is clearly signalled by words like Meanwhile and In conclusion. Ideas are developed further with logical links such as For example, because and also.

Lexical resource: The writer uses higher-level vocabulary relevant to the topic such as opponents, domestically, unsustainable, and interdependence. The core concept of ‘free movement of goods across national borders’ is repeatedly paraphrased. Spelling is correct throughout the model answer.

Grammatical range and accuracy: The writer uses a wide variety of grammatical features including concessive clauses (while…), relative clauses (in which…), and other complex forms (It is no longer realistic for nations to…). There are no grammatical errors in the model essay.

Teacher’s Note

IELTS Teacher‘Discuss both views’ is a common type of IELTS essay question in which the examiner will pay particular attention to paragraphing. Make your essay structure very clear by writing two body paragraphs that each discuss a different view. Try to make these two paragraphs similar in length—three sentences is enough—and save your own opinion for the conclusion. You can score highly on a ‘discuss both views’ question by following these simple rules.

 

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IELTS Writing Sample Answers Task 1

IELTS Writing Task 1: Natural Process Diagram with Sample Answer

IELTS Writing Task 1: Natural Process Diagram

IELTS Writing Task 1: Question

A natural process diagram is another common question type in IELTS Writing Task 1. Here’s an example of one with nine stages that really challenges you to describe the whole process in just 150 words.

The diagram shows the growth cycle of a volcanic island. Write a 150-word report for a university lecturer describing the main features of the cycle.

IELTS Natural Process

IELTS Writing Task 1: Model Answer

The diagram illustrates a natural process in which a volcanic island grows from beneath the sea, explodes, and then eventually sinks to become an underwater reef. The process is divided into nine stages.

In the first two stages, called the ‘preshield’ and ‘protoshield’ stages, a mountain gradually builds under the surface of the sea. In the third or ‘explosive’ phase, hydro-explosions occur which deposit a cone of ash. A large number of cinder cones then pile up to form a ‘shield’ on top of the volcano.

This shield gradually erodes and subsides to form reefs below the surface of the sea. However, there may be ongoing volcanic activity including lava flows. By the time of the ‘coral atoll’ stage, the original form of the volcano has disappeared, and the whole structure sinks further under the sea during the ‘guyot’ stage.

In summary, huge volcanoes rise and fall under the sea in a natural process known as the volcanic island growth cycle.

(194 words, IELTS 9.0)

Why does this Task 1 answer get an IELTS band 9 score?

Task achievement: The candidate describes a complex nine-part natural process in fewer than 200 words by grouping some stages together and leaving out small details where possible. The introduction includes an overall description that clearly signals what the body of the report will contain.

Coherence and cohesion: The body of the report groups the natural process into two paragraphs rather than attempt to describe each of the nine stages separately. Events are clearly sequenced and summarised.

Lexical resource: The candidate uses vocabulary from the diagram but transforms it where necessary to fit a sentence: erosion > erodes; subsidence > subsides. The model answer also introduces other relevant vocabulary not in the diagram such as deposits, surface and structure.

Grammatical range and accuracy: The candidate writes in complex sentences using conjunctions and relative pronouns. Most of the sentences have multiple clauses. There are no grammatical mistakes. In addition to the present simple tense, the present perfect tense is used to show how events are related in time: the original form of the volcano has disappeared.

Teacher’s Notes

IELTS TeacherThis natural process diagram includes nine stages, which are difficult to describe in detail in so few words. Therefore, you should take this opportunity to practice grouping stages together and summarising where possible. It’s not a good idea to write nine sentences to describe each of the nine stages. You will simply not have the time. Writing skills like grouping and summarising will come in very handy in the real test.

 

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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Practice Tests

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 4: Marriage

IELTS Speaking Practice Test 4: Marriage

Describe your wedding! Try these IELTS speaking sample questions with a partner. You can also download a PDF of this IELTS speaking practice test for classroom use.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Interview (4-5 minutes)

Answer the following questions about your personal habits and preferences.

Why are you taking the IELTS test?

How do you feel about today’s test?

Where do you live?

How many people live in your house?

Would you like to spend your whole life with one person?

How important is marriage to you?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Individual long-turn (3-4 minutes)

You have 1 minute to read the instructions in the box and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.

Describe your wedding or a wedding you would like to have.

You should say:

Where the wedding takes place

Which guests are invited

What happens during the ceremony

And say if there is anything unusual about your wedding.

Follow-up question: Who planned or would plan your wedding?

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

Answer the following questions about weddings and marriage. Support your opinion with relevant examples and make comparisons where possible.

Weddings

What presents are suitable for a wedding in your country?

Do you think money spent on a wedding is wasted?

Why do non-religious people choose to get married in churches?

Marriage

How long should a couple wait before getting married?

What is the secret of a successful marriage?

Should unhappy couples get divorced?

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IELTS Writing Sample answers Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2: Two-part Question with Sample Answer

IELTS writing two-part question

IELTS Writing Task 2: Question

Try this two-part question about the United Nations. Though they may sound complicated, two-part questions are actually quite easy because they give you two points to discuss, rather than the usual single point.

The United Nations recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. What benefits has it brought during this time? Do you think the UN will last another 70 years?

You should write at least 250 words.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Model Answer

The United Nations was established at the end of the Second World War in order to provide a peaceful way to resolve national differences. Since its formation 70 years ago, there has not been a Third World War. Furthermore, the UN has expanded its global role to include many more activities besides peacekeeping. This essay will look at some of the UN’s achievements and predict what the future might hold for the organisation.

It is difficult to imagine a world without the United Nations. The organisation plays a leading role in everything from conflict resolution and peacekeeping to emergency food aid and global public health. Many people trust the UN because it is a democratic organisation that reflects the interests of all its member states and not just one particular country. In this way, it can be argued that the UN has restricted the influence of powerful countries like the USA, Russia and China, while allowing smaller nations a say in global affairs. It is also effective at collecting funds from richer member states and redistributing it as economic aid or emergency assistance to parts of the world which need it most.

Yet the world is a very different place from how it looked in 1945, which has led some people to question the need for a powerful organisation like the UN. In particular, there are some proponents of free trade who argue that competition and not cooperation between nations is the fastest way to pursue economic development. However, I would argue that the more nations become interdependent, the more they will require a global forum to resolve their differences. While there are other global organisations that can play a similar role, such as the World Bank and International Criminal Court, none has the scope of the UN. For that reason, the UN is sure to exist for decades to come, and possibly for another 70 years.

In conclusion, the UN remains the most viable organisation for dealing with the world’s problems, and this is unlikely to change very soon.

(340 words, IELTS 9.0)

Why does this Task 2 answer get an IELTS Band 9 score?

Task response: The candidate answers both parts of the question. The candidate states clear opinions and supports them with examples. The argument is well-written and persuasive.

Coherence and cohesion: There are two body paragraphs which each deal with one part of the question. Both parts of the two-part question are addressed in both the introduction and conclusion. There are clear links between sentences and between paragraphs.

Lexical resource: The candidate introduces topic-specific vocabulary with natural collocation: global affairs, conflict resolution, emergency assistance, etc.

Grammatical range and accuracy: Conjunctions and relative pronouns are used throughout the essay to combine two or more ideas into complex sentences. There are no errors in the candidate’s grammar or punctuation.

Teacher’s Notes

IELTS TeacherDid you find some parts of the model answer difficult to understand? If so, you needn’t worry too much. Only a native speaker could have written this. An IELTS Band 6 or 7 answer would not be as sophisticated. An IELTS Band 8 answer would resemble this one but contain a few mistakes. So, even when the subject is a lofty one like the United Nations, try to be realistic in your objectives. It’s only a quick writing exercise, not a master’s thesis!

 

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IELTS Writing Sample Answers Task 1

IELTS Writing Task 1: Map Diagram with Sample Answer

IELTS Writing Task 1: Map Diagram

IELTS Writing Task 1: Question

A map diagram in IELTS Writing Task 1 is likely to be a before/after street plan that requires you to compare past and present. In this case, however, it’s present and future that you need to compare.

The diagram shows proposed changes to Foster Road.

Write a 150-word report describing the proposed changes for a local committee.

IELTS map diagram

IELTS Writing Task 1: Model Answer

The diagram shows proposals to transform Foster Road between SE 84th and 85th Avenue into a tree-lined avenue that is safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

First of all, the planners propose to widen the sidewalk on both sides of the road and add bicycle lanes. This will mean reducing the number of lanes for cars and other vehicles. A pedestrian crossing will also be installed at the lower end of the street, near the gas station. This crossing will include an island in the middle where people can wait in safety.

In addition to the safety measures above, planners also want to plant trees along both sides of the road. These trees will transform the appearance of the neighbourhood as well as provide vital extra shade for pedestrians.

To summarise, under these proposals, the needs of local residents will be better served by making Foster Road a safer and more pleasant environment.

(152 words, IELTS 9.0)

Why does this Task 1 answer get an IELTS Band 9 score?

Task achievement: The candidate writes at least 150 words and describes all of the proposed changes. The changes are summarised at the beginning and end, and described in detail in the body of the report. The changes are connected to their function and their location on the map is also clearly described.

Coherence and cohesion: The body of the report is divided into two paragraphs, one describing the changes that will improve safety, and another describing changes that will improve the environment. These paragraphs are clearly linked (“In addition to the safety measures above,…”). There are several uses of reference links such as this and these to refer back to a previous sentence.

Lexical resource: The candidate introduces relevant vocabulary not on the original maps such as pedestrian, cyclist, measures, and tree-lined. The candidate transforms certain words as in proposed > proposal and installation > installed. There are no spelling mistakes.

Grammatical range and accuracy: The model answer includes a range of complex sentence structures. Tense is always used correctly to show that the changes will occur in the future. There are no grammatical errors.

Teacher’s Notes

IELTS TeacherWhen describing changes to a map in IELTS Writing Task 1, you will usually start by comparing the diagrams, identify four or five changes that seem important, and write about these. But it’s worth taking 1-2 minutes first to reflect on why the changes are significant and if there is a common theme or themes. Being able to identify a common theme or tendency is one way to get a high score for Task Achievement.

 

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IELTS Listening IELTS Reading Scoring Vocabulary

Do You Know This IELTS Vocabulary?

IELTS Vocabulary

These ten sentences highlight key IELTS vocabulary by topic. For each word that you know, give yourself one point. Then check the scoring guide at the end to understand how good your IELTS vocabulary really is!

Education

Business Studies is included as a subject in the school (1) curriculum at (2) secondary level in some countries, while in other countries it is only taught at (3) tertiary level.

History

Some (4) historians believe that there are ancient (5) civilisations whose (6) archaeological ruins have yet to be found.

Environment

Environmental pressure groups are opposed to the (7) destruction of forests and (8) campaign for their (9) conservation instead.

Travel

When travelling overseas, it is important to understand local (10) customs and avoid (11) offending your hosts. Follow this rule and you can be a wonderful (12) ambassador for your country.

Science

Animal testing in (13) laboratories is wrong, even when it leads to the development of new (14) treatments for human (15) diseases.

Entertainment

The music industry is in crisis due to the (16) widespread (17) illegal downloading of songs which has led to a (18) collapse in sales of CDs.

Sports

(19) Spectators at sporting events should be (20) banned from stadiums if they are found guilty of making (21) abusive gestures.

Media

When media (22) ownership is (23) consolidated in too few hands, it becomes harder for people to hear a (24) diversity of opinions.

Crime

When victims of crime visit (25) detention centres, this can often (26) deter criminals from (27) committing crimes in future.

Technology

Some people are so (28) addicted to their mobile (29) devices that they feel (30) anxious when separated from their phone for even a short time.

IELTS vocabulary scoring guide

26-30 points: Word wizard! You are ready to show your stuff in IELTS! But how many of these 30 words do you actually use? (IELTS 8-9)

20-25 points: Good enough to go! You know enough IELTS vocabulary to understand most of what you will read or hear in the test. Be sure to learn the words you didn’t know. (IELTS 6-7)

10-19 points: Getting there! You know some useful vocabulary for IELTS but it would help to study more before taking the test. (IELTS 4-5)

0-9 points: Time to learn up! Academic IELTS may be too difficult for people who don’t know most of these words. (IELTS 0-3)

 

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Scoring

Five Secrets of an IELTS Examiner

IELTS examiners stand between you and your required IELTS score. But what are they really thinking, and how can you improve your chances of a good score?

The IELTS examiner is the man or woman standing (actually sitting) between you and the IELTS score you must get to secure a place at your first-choice school or win that big-money scholarship. He or she is likely to be fiercely intelligent, with an enormous egg-shaped head (see picture for proof), and eyes that burrow deep into your soul, instantly perceiving all your English language weaknesses and turning your entire body to jelly, right?

Well, you may be surprised to learn that IELTS examiners are a pretty nice bunch of people. Most are current or former teachers of English, so they are sympathetic to the difficulties that learners of English face. Also, they could not enjoy successful careers as teachers and examiners without the people skills necessary to communicate effectively with students and help them relax in stressful situations.

In fact, there aren’t many secrets in IELTS as the scoring criteria are publicly available online. But here are five special points that an IELTS examiner would like you to know.

IELTS examiners want you to get a high score

The most important thing you must know is that the examiner wants you to do well. They don’t sit there listening for mistakes and waiting for you to mess up. The examiner is always looking for ways to raise your score, not lower it. This is obvious when you read the IELTS scoring criteria, which are freely available online. These criteria are mostly concerned with what the candidate CAN do, not CAN’T do. So show the examiner what you CAN do and make it easy for him or her to give you a high score.

In IELTS Writing, avoid the long introduction and get to your point

One thing examiners really hate is the long essay introduction with never-ending sentences that just go on and on without really making a point. Sometimes it’s just too obvious that the candidate is trying to write 100 words using memorised language. So quickly paraphrase the question and then get straight to the point, whether that means giving your opinion or saying what you’re going to cover in the body of the essay. Once you tell the examiner your position, he or she has to work less hard to know exactly where you stand and what it is you want to say.

Speaking Part 1 doesn’t really affect your score

In Part 1 of the speaking test the examiner has two objectives: the first is to make you relaxed and the second is to get a quick idea of your ability. The first is important because the examiner wants you to have the best chance of getting a high score. The second is important because the examiner may want to avoid asking you questions that are much too difficult for your ability level. So focus on getting comfortable and try to be as natural as possible. There’s no point getting stressed in Part 1 because the scoring hasn’t even begun yet.

Don’t panic when the speaking topic is unfamiliar

One of the main things the examiner is looking for in Speaking Part 3 is this: can the candidate speak about an unfamiliar topic? If your first reaction to an unfamiliar topic is to sweat, stammer, or sit in stunned silence, then that’s a clear sign that you aren’t ready to speak about it. So practice responding coolly on topics from space exploration to animal rights, even if you never talk about these in real life. Keep your face straight (or smile!) and respond quickly with a well-rehearsed phrase such as “Well, that’s not something I usually think about but…”

Just keep talking!

What really determines your score in IELTS speaking is whether you can speak with fluency, coherence, and good pronunciation, regardless of the topic. It’s NOT about how well you answer the question. The examiner is checking your language skills, not the content of your answer. So stop worrying if you’re answering the question correctly, and just try to keep talking as naturally as you can. If the IELTS examiner has to signal for you to stop talking, that is usually a good sign!

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IELTS Listening IELTS Reading IELTS Speaking IELTS Writing

Do You Make These 8 Common Mistakes in IELTS?

Common IELTS Mistakes

Everyday I get messages from people who want to know why their IELTS score doesn’t improve. Often they have NO IDEA that their writing or speech is incomprehensible, or that their methods in listening or reading are all wrong!

Why does this happen? Well, for one thing, it shows the importance of studying with a teacher before you take the test. As an IELTS teacher myself, I would like to help people overcome the most common mistakes in IELTS before they decide to contact me, so here is my list of eight common mistakes to avoid.

Common mistakes in IELTS listening

Do you listen with open ears, so you easily miss the answers to the questions? Unfortunately it’s not about how much you understand overall. It’s about how many of those ten answers you anticipate and how many you catch when they are spoken. Preview the questions as much as possible before your listen, and concentrate only on listening for the answers.

Do you miss the next answer, because you’re still trying to answer a previous question? This can happen to anyone, and it’s the surest way to multiply the consequences of a mistake. Accept that you only need to get seven or eight of the ten answers, and don’t panic when you miss one. Concentrate on the next question, not the last question.

Common mistakes in IELTS Reading

Do you spend too much time reading, so that you hardly have time to answer the questions? Unfortunately, IELTS is not the time to take pleasure in reading! And there are no points for understanding the entire passage. Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the topic and organisation, and then move straight on to the questions. Maximum skim-reading time should be five minutes.

Do you easily get fooled by ‘distractors’, so that you’re shocked when your score is much lower than you expected? Distractors are answers that seem obviously correct, but turn out to be incorrect. They often make use of the same word as the original text. To avoid distractors, make sure you read all of the possible answers before deciding which is correct.

Common mistakes in IELTS Writing

Do you use too much fancy language, so your overall point is unclear? If the examiner thinks you’re just showing off some phrases you’ve memorised without fully understanding them, he or she will mark down your score. Also, do you believe the examiner will take the time to re-read your answer in order to figure out what you mean? Of course not. He or she will just lose patience and mark down your answer for coherence.

Do you write too casually, so you lose marks for inappropriate style? Fine if you’re taking the General Training version of IELTS, but not fine in the Academic version. Sure, examiners are nice people, but they aren’t your best friend and don’t want to read “Am I right?” and “Don’t you think so?” How do you know if your writing is too casual? Show it to a knowledgeable teacher and ask them if they think it would be suitable language for an academic report.

Common mistakes in IELTS Speaking

Do you hesitate for too long, because you’re planning the perfect answer in your own mind? You cannot get more than IELTS band 5 if you hesitate for an uncomfortable length of time while speaking. What is an uncomfortable amount of silence? For many English speakers, it can be as little as five seconds.

Do you speak with poor pronunciation, so the examiner has to struggle to understand your words? Perhaps your words are good words—the problem is that the examiner simply can’t catch what you’re trying to say! IELTS examiners are not supposed to reveal when candidates have performed poorly or made mistakes, so you may never know that your poor pronunciation is a problem. The solution is to practice IELTS speaking with a good teacher.

Would you like to practice your IELTS writing or IELTS speaking with an expert teacher? Eliminate common mistakes from your IELTS answers and find out the reason why your score hasn’t improved. See our current IELTS practice tests.