Academic Reading / General Writing

The three passages in the IELTS Reading module deal with a range of academic subjects: one
may be about ancient history, another about astronomy, another about advertising techniques,
and so on.
Each passage in IELTS Reading is followed by 11 to 15 questions. You can read and answer
questions at the same time. The questions are multiple choice, matching, true/false/not given,
sentence completion or summary completion tasks.
In our workshop, we will deal with having to absorb and understand a lot of information in a
relatively short time so the key skill taught here will be skimming. Through the correct
application of this skill you will be able to understand the text in general, identify relevant
parts of the text, pay attention of collocations and synonyms and predict the final answers to
the questions.

Listening
The IELTS Listening module consists of four sections. In each section you will hear a
recording of a monologue or conversation. Each recording lasts around five minutes.
While listening, you have to answer ten questions, which can be multiple choice, short
answer, or filling in the gaps in a sentence, diagram, or data table.
In the workshop, we will concentrate on the following five skills which will perfect your
listening skills.
1. Predict answers before you listen. This helps you to identify the type of information
required and leads to ‘targeted listening’.
2. Identify parallel meaning. Be ready to make the connection between what the speaker
says and what the question asks.
3. Check grammar carefully. In sentence completion tasks, you may need to change the
speaker’s words to make them fit the question grammatically.
4. Practice using different skills at the same time. You will need to use reading, listening
and writing skills at the same time during the listening section of IELTS.
5. Improve your spelling. Your answer may be marked incorrect if not spelt correctly.

Speaking
The IELTS Speaking module is a face-to-face interview divided into three parts. The
speaking module is the same in both the academic and general training versions of IELTS.
Total time varies from 11-14 minutes depending on the length of your answers.
In our workshop, we will concentrate on the following four elements and these four elements
are marked 25 % each in the exam.
Fluency and Coherence: Are you able to keep talking without too much hesitation or
repetition?
Lexical Resource: Are you able to use a wide range of vocabulary and show some awareness
of collocation?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Are you able to use a variety of grammatical forms,
including a mix of simple and complex sentences?
Pronunciation: Are you able to pronounce words correctly and use speaking techniques such
as intonation and contractions?

General Reading

There are three sections for the IELTS General Reading test.

The texts used in each section are taken from notices, advertisements, company handbooks,
official documents, books, magazines and newspapers.

Section 1 contains two or three short factual texts, one of which may be made up of 6 - 8
short texts related by topic, e.g. hotel advertisements. The topics are relevant to everyday life
in an English-speaking country. Section 2 contains two short factual texts focusing on work-
related issues, e.g. applying for a job, company policies, pay and conditions, workplace
facilities, staff development and training. Section 3 contains one longer, more complex text
on a topic of general interest.

In this workshop, we will assess a wide range of reading skills, including how well you

 read for the general sense of a passage

 read for the main ideas
 read for detail
 understand inferences and implied meaning
 recognise a writer’s opinions, attitudes and purpose
 follow the development of an argument

and help you to develop advanced level skills in all related areas to IELTS General Reading.