The International English Language Testing System is a test of English which is recognised throughout the world. The IELTS exam has now become one of the most commonly recognised English language tests in the world.
What is IELTS?
Every year, more than 1 million people take the IELTS exam to provide concrete evidence of their current level of English language skill.
IELTS is not a pass or fail exam. The exam shows your English level on a 9 point scale, taking in to account the four main skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Who should study an IELTS exam course?
An IELTS exam course is useful to anyone who wishes to study in a higher education institute, such as a university or college in an English-speaking country. It is also important for immigration and emigration purposes.
More recently the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has stated that EU nursing practitioners (e.g. nurses, midwives etc.) may need to take the IELTS examination to demonstrate their English language proficiency before they can be included on the NMC register. This means that nursing professionals both from inside and outside the EEA now have to reach the level of 7.0 in each skill area: reading, writing, speaking and listening.
General IELTS or Academic IELTS?
The General IELTS test measures English language skills in a practical, everyday context. It is often a visa requirement for English-speaking countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
The Academic IELTS test measures proficiency in the skills needed to study in a college or university where the language of instruction is English. This may be in an English-speaking country, but increasingly English medium courses are offered by institutions in non-English-speaking countries. These institutions often require students to have sat the IELTS examination too.
IELTS Pronunciation video
Intensive IELTS exam preparation course in Edinburgh
Intensive IELTS exam courses are available throughout the year to help you get the best score possible. The English for Effective Communication course in the mornings will help you to improve your overall vocabulary and focus on speaking and listening communication skills, as well as improving your pronunciation, all of which is very relevant to the IELTS exam. There is a maximum of 5 students per class in this part of the course.
Specific exam preparation is held as a 1-to-1 class so the teacher can dedicate the whole class to you and your specific needs, whatever score you are aiming for. All necessary exam skills will be covered in the 1-to-1 classes and you can spend more time on specific areas which you find more problematic.
If you have already sat the exam and you wish to focus only on one or two specific skills, that is also possible during the 1-to-1 classes.
Whether you have already sat the IELTS exam before and you need to improve your score or if this is the first time you will sit the exam, this intensive course will give you the skills you need to do as well as you possibly can. See course information here.
