IELTS IELTS International English Testing SystemInternational English Testing System

Familiarisation WorkshopsFamiliarisation Workshops

English Language CentreEnglish Language Centre

Hong Kong Polytechnic Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityUniversity

Workshop FormatWorkshop Format

OverviewOverview

- Structure - Structure

- Scoring- Scoring

- Help- Help

- Q & A- Q & A

Speaking and ListeningSpeaking and Listening

WritingWriting

ReadingReading

The TestThe TestAll Candidates are tested in listening, reading, All Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. writing and speaking.

Listening 30 minsListening 30 minsReading 60 minsReading 60 minsWriting 60 minsWriting 60 minsSpeaking 11 – 14 minsSpeaking 11 – 14 minsTotal test time 2 hours 45 minutes excluding bTotal test time 2 hours 45 minutes excluding breaks.reaks.

ListeningListeningTime: 30 minutesTime: 30 minutes 4 sections, 40 questions 4 sections, 40 questionsReal-world listening situationsReal-world listening situationsDifficultyDifficultyRange of topics and tasksRange of topics and tasks- listening for specific information e.g.dates, p- listening for specific information e.g.dates, place nameslace names- understanding gist- understanding gist- understanding speaker attitude/opinion- understanding speaker attitude/opinion

Listening Test FormatListening Test Format

Section 1: conversation – 2 speakersSection 1: conversation – 2 speakers

Section 2: monologueSection 2: monologue

Section 3: conversation – 4 speakersSection 3: conversation – 4 speakers

Section 4: lectureSection 4: lecture

General listening strategiesGeneral listening strategiesRecording is played onceRecording is played onceRead question CAREFULLY BEFORE listeningRead question CAREFULLY BEFORE listeningFamiliarise yourself with question typesFamiliarise yourself with question types- completing a chart- completing a chart- selecting pictures- selecting pictures- note-taking exercises- note-taking exercises-MC questions-MC questions

ReadingReadingTime: 60 minutesTime: 60 minutes 3 reading 3 reading passages, totally 40 questionspassages, totally 40 questionsTexts are taken from books, Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapersmagazines, journals and newspapers Question typesQuestion types- find detailed information - find detailed information - identify attitudes and views- identify attitudes and views- complete a diagram- complete a diagram

General Reading StrategiesGeneral Reading Strategies

Identify reading skills being testedIdentify reading skills being testedPractise these skillsPractise these skills

WritingWritingTime: 60 minutesTime: 60 minutes 2 tasks 2 tasks

Task 1(20mins): descriptive report of Task 1(20mins): descriptive report of a table or diagram, 150 words a table or diagram, 150 words

Task 2(40 mins):250 word essay in Task 2(40 mins):250 word essay in response to an opinion or a problem. response to an opinion or a problem.

Discuss issues, construct an Discuss issues, construct an argument and use the appropriate argument and use the appropriate tone and register.tone and register.

General Writing StrategiesGeneral Writing Strategies

Read the question carefullyRead the question carefully

Familiarise yourself with descriptions of Familiarise yourself with descriptions of data – in newspapers, textbooksdata – in newspapers, textbooks

Practise formulating your own ideas on tPractise formulating your own ideas on topicsopics

SpeakingSpeakingTime: 10 – 15 minutesTime: 10 – 15 minutes Face to face interview between one candidate Face to face interview between one candidate and one examiner. and one examiner. Part 1(4-5mins): Introduction and interviewPart 1(4-5mins): Introduction and interviewPart 2(1-3 mins incl. prep): Individual talkPart 2(1-3 mins incl. prep): Individual talkPart 3(4-5 mins): Discussion topics Part 3(4-5 mins): Discussion topics

Speaking Speaking

Speak fluently and link ideas Speak fluently and link ideas coherentlycoherently

Demonstrate a range of appropriate Demonstrate a range of appropriate vocabularyvocabulary

Use accurate grammar and Use accurate grammar and appropriate registerappropriate register

Speak so that a listener can Speak so that a listener can understandunderstand

Speaking strategiesSpeaking strategiesPart 1Part 1– Take the initiative if possibleTake the initiative if possible– Always say more than yes or noAlways say more than yes or no– Try to overcome nervesTry to overcome nerves

Speaking StrategiesSpeaking StrategiesPart 2Part 2

- Take the 1 min preparation time- Take the 1 min preparation time

- Jot down some main ideas- Jot down some main ideas

- Sound interested in the talk- Sound interested in the talk

Speaking StrategiesSpeaking StrategiesPart 3Part 3

- Give informed responses- Give informed responses

- Demonstrate your control of the - Demonstrate your control of the languagelanguage

- Attempt to express abstract ideas- Attempt to express abstract ideas

- Support your opinions- Support your opinions

- Show that you are willing to provide - Show that you are willing to provide extended repliesextended replies

ScoringScoring

IELTS provides a profile of a IELTS provides a profile of a candidate’s ability to use Englishcandidate’s ability to use English

Candidates receive a score on a Candidates receive a score on a Band Scale from 1-9Band Scale from 1-9

Scores on the IELTS test are graded into nine Scores on the IELTS test are graded into nine bands as follows:bands as follows:

Band 0-Did not attempt the Band 0-Did not attempt the testtest    

Band 1Band 1--Non UserNon User    

  Band 2Band 2--Intermittent UserIntermittent User    

Band 3Band 3--Extremely Limited UserExtremely Limited User  

Band 4Band 4--Limited UserLimited User    

Band 5Band 5--Modest UserModest User    

Band 6Band 6--Competent UserCompetent User Has generally effective command of the Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inalanguage despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Cappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex lann use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situationsguage, particularly in familiar situations..

Band 7Band 7--Good UserGood User    

Band 8Band 8--Very Good UserVery Good User    

Band 9 Band 9 --Expert UserExpert User    

General StrategiesGeneral Strategies

Familiarise yourself with the test.Familiarise yourself with the test.PractisePractiseTime ManagementTime Management

HelpHelp

CILL – CILL – Centre for Independent Language LearCentre for Independent Language Learning, Core A 3/Fning, Core A 3/F

SAP – Speaking Assistance Programme Core A SAP – Speaking Assistance Programme Core A 3/F3/F

WAP – Writing Assistance Programme Core A 3WAP – Writing Assistance Programme Core A 3/F/F

Useful booksUseful books

Cambridge IELTS 3 with answersCambridge IELTS 3 with answersInsight into IELTS – Vanessa Jakeman & Insight into IELTS – Vanessa Jakeman & Clare McDowell (CUP)Clare McDowell (CUP)

Useful websitesUseful websites

UGC Introductory site UGC Introductory site http://http://www.ugccepa.comwww.ugccepa.com

IELTS homepage IELTS homepage http://www.ielts.org/index.htmhttp://www.ielts.org/index.htm

ELC homepage ELC homepage http://elc.polyu.edu.hkhttp://elc.polyu.edu.hk