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eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

Hi,

I have been asked to teach an IELTS class but I have no experience of it whatsoever. Does anyone have any tips or online links that may help? I could just decline but I would like the chance to do something new.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:57 pm Post subject:

First of all, find out if it is Academic or General. Decline if it is a mix of the two.

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

It's general.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:34 pm Post subject:

Good. Easier on you that way. Are the learners taking the test? Find out if and when. Download the band descriptors used for the Writing and Speaking tests and familiarise yourself with the criteria. For example.

https://www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org/ts/digitalAssets/114292_IELTS_Speaking_Band_Descriptors.pdf

Work from a IELTS course book. Follow it fairly closely, and check the teacher's book too. Plenty on the market to choose from, if your institution has not done so already.

If this is your first test group of any type, remember that you are teaching test-taking strategies much more than English per se - e.g. reading skills, writing skills etc, so you need to have a practical focus that relates directly to the test in most if not all your lessons.

Homework, especially written work, needs to be given and marked routinely.

Regular mock tests are an essential part of any exam course.

Also, things like fillers, warmers, or any little fun elements are still useful too - possibly more so, depending on the pressure on the test-takers. So do not forget that the students are still humans : )

That's all I can think of right now. I'm sure others will post up helpful tips too.

Best of luck.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Keep in mind that the results of these tests are in real numbers and can be high stakes for the learners. If you've got a student who got, for example, a 5 in writing in his/her last exam (good idea to find out in advance if any of them have taken the exam in the past), they'll be expecting to make progress that's going to lead directly to a higher score in the next round.
If you've got student(s) who need some score/s to get into a university somewhere, or for an employer, again, very concrete expectations.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Great deal of stuff available online. The IELTS website has enough stuff to keep you busy for a while. And now there are loads of textbooks that prepare students (and you) for the Exam

Becoming an IELTS Examiner is a good insight ! Try it !

tina20 · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 49

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I am pleased to say that I never had to teach IELTS Prep Classes. Nightmare. Students will have unrealistic expectations and in some cases a great deal hinges on the result. My experience in the Middle East in teaching was that if they pass they take the credit and if they fail the teacher gets the blame.

Ixchel · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:50 am Post subject:

Isn't that always the case in teaching? If they pass it's because the students/parents/school/admin is wonderful. If they fail it's the fault of the teachers.