IELTS Study Guide | Koray Teacher
IELTS Study Guide by Koray Teacher
Smart, focused preparation for Academic & General TrainingOverviewListeningReadingWritingSpeaking4‑Week PlanResources
Understand the IELTS Exam
IELTS measures your English proficiency across four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Use the sections below to learn the format, master strategies, and follow a practical 4‑week plan.
| Section | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | ≈ 30 min | 4 parts, 40 questions — multiple accents, note-taking. |
| Reading | 60 min | 3 sections, 40 questions — Academic or General. |
| Writing | 60 min | 2 tasks — essay & report/letter. |
| Speaking | 11–14 min | Interview, long turn, discussion. |
Start the 4‑Week PlanGet Practice Materials
IELTS Listening Tips
Practice active listening. BBC, TED Talks, podcasts — daily exposure to varied accents.
Know the question types. Multiple choice, matching, map/diagram labeling, form completion.
Predict answers. Skim questions and underline keywords before audio starts.
Listen for signpost words like however, on the other hand, finally.
Avoid traps. Watch out for self‑corrections and synonyms; write answers immediately.
Recommended practice: Cambridge IELTS (1–18), British Council practice tests.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim & scan. First grasp the main idea, then hunt for details.
Time management. ~20 minutes per section; don’t over‑spend.
Underline keywords. Names, dates, numbers; track synonyms closely.
Know the question types. TF/NG, Yes/No/Not Given, Matching Headings, etc.
Build vocabulary. Learn academic & topic words daily; keep a revision deck.
IELTS Writing Tips
Task 1 (Academic)
- Summarize key trends, compare data, and stay formal.
- Report facts from visuals; avoid personal opinions.
Task 1 (General Training)
- Master letter formats: formal, semi‑formal, informal.
- Use appropriate greetings and closings; address all bullet points.
Task 2 (Essay)
- Plan (5 min): Brainstorm ideas and examples.
- Structure: Intro (paraphrase + thesis) → Body 1 → Body 2 → Conclusion.
- Focus on band descriptors: coherence, cohesion, lexical resource, grammar range & accuracy.
Tip: Aim for clear topic sentences and logical linking. Leave 3–4 minutes to proofread.
IELTS Speaking Tips
Communicate, don’t chase perfection. Fluency & clarity beat ultra‑complex grammar.
Extend answers. Add reasons, examples, and short stories.
Use connectors. “Actually…”, “In my opinion…”, “To be honest…”.
Practice common topics. Family, work, travel, technology, education.
Record yourself. Track pronunciation, stress, and filler words.
4‑Week Study Plan
| Week | Focus Area | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Listening & Vocabulary | Daily listening; learn 50 new words; 2 mini‑tests. |
| 2 | Reading Skills | 3 full reading tests; analyze mistakes; build keyword maps. |
| 3 | Writing | 3× Task 1 + 3× Task 2; timed practice; feedback cycle. |
| 4 | Speaking | Daily speaking drills; 2 mock interviews; refine pronunciation. |
Consistency beats intensity — small daily progress compounds.
Recommended Resources
- Official IELTS – ielts.org
- Cambridge IELTS Practice Tests (Books 1–18)
- BBC Learning English
- Websites: IELTS Liz, IELTS Simon, IELTS Buddy
Use weekly mock tests and a mistake log to focus revision on your weakest areas. © Koray Teacher — All rights reserved.
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