The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an exam conducted by the British Council for people who want to study, work abroad or who wish to immigrate to an English-speaking country. IELTS is a valid certification worldwide and is required specifically in some countries like the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The examination will have two modules namely, Academic and General Training. It consists of four levels which test the four skills required for language acquisition: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The language efficiency of a person is calculated with respect to the band score. The higher the band score reflects that the person is a more efficient use of the language. A band score of at least 6 is most recommended to have a good place to study and work.
To look into all the nuances of IELTS all by yourself might be time-consuming. Here are several study abroad consultants in Kochi who will guide you on approaching IELTS in a more excellent manner. Let’s see some tips to improve the IELTS band score.
Know the Test
Having a clear understanding of the assessment criteria is the first step to better preparation. This will help one to discover their strong and weak skills so the person can shift the focus accordingly. At the same time, working with a plan is recommended rather than learning blindly. One should have a well-prepared study plan according to their time and need to attain the score they want. It is possible to find web resources perplexing. It can be eased up with the help of several right institutions. One can find the best institution under the guidance of some of the reputed overseas education consultants in Kochi.
Focus more on Listening
A candidate who is considered the brightest might even struggle at a point when they are listening. Listening needs more attention than other skills. The accent of native speakers may not be easy to crack down on. One can practise listening to English news channels like BBC and try to write down notes which can be analysed later. If one has the CD for preparation, then they can practise in the same way as the exams are being conducted.
Develop Fluency and Pronunciation
Speaking is the most significant component of all four skills. It directly reflects the candidates’ potential to use the language. A candidate should be ready to speak for about 2 minutes. One has to practise by talking for a considerably long time aloud in English. Recording your speech may also help in self-evaluation. Make sure that the candidate is confident and fluent in speaking before going to take up the test.
In speaking, more than the right use of words and vocabulary knowledge, pronunciation matters. For this, the candidate should practise by listening to more English music or podcasts or news on TV.
Enhance Reading Skill
Most of the candidates find it difficult to decode lengthy texts given in the IELTS reading test. Adapting newspaper and magazine reading as a habit is a simple technique to strengthen their reading skills. Also, the candidates should master the two most basic techniques of reading, skimming and scanning.
Learn New Vocabularies
One’s mastery of the language is when one knows to use the words they have learnt in the proper context. This can be cultivated mostly through reading, watching animation movies and most important of all practice. One will learn to inculcate the words in their written or spoken communication only when they practice it a number of times. In that case, it is not only important to comprehend the meanings of new vocabulary but also to incorporate those words at suitable times while they speak. According to the research, it takes 10-15 times of repetitions to habituate a word as a part of daily speech. Knowing quite a lot of vocabulary will help a person to excel in all four skills.
Upgrade Writing Skill
The examiners will expect the answers to be covered within the word limit. The content should be precise and should have the right words in the right place. The context should have consistency and particularly the clarity of idea which is present in the text. Again, practice plays a vital role. One should practise writing at least one task per day. It will later help to improve the speed of writing.
Conclusion
IELTS is a basic language testing examination which tests the four skills required for language learning. All four skills, Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing are interdependent on one another. By developing our listening skills, a person unknowingly helps with speaking skills as well. It goes the same with reading and writing too. Every kid acquires their mother tongue in this way. First, it listens to what people are talking, next it tries to imitate(Speaking), further it starts to learn reading, and after quite a lot of reading, writing can be done easily. Similarly, it is easy to acquire any language in this order. If IELTS is prepared in this order and with consistent efforts, any basic language learner can pass it with a decent band score of 6 or even more. Learn it, crack it and live your dreams.