In most countries where English is the main language, you’ll need evidence of English language skills to apply for jobs and university courses. That’s why IELTS – the International English Language Testing System – is taken by millions of people around the world each year. If you think a move overseas might be in your future, here’s an overview of the test and our top reasons to consider studying for it.
What is IELTS?
If you’ve been thinking about starting a new life in Australia, New Zealand, the States, or the UK (to name a few examples), you may already be familiar with IELTS. IELTS is the world’s most popular English language test, accepted by more than 10,000 organisations in over 140 countries, including academic institutions, governments and employers. There are four components to it: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Passing your IELTS can unlock incredible opportunities to study, work and live abroad.
Four reasons to take IELTS
Assess your English level
If you’re wondering whether you should wait until you are fully confident in communicating in English before booking the test, the answer is no. One significant benefit of taking IELTS is that you will receive an objective assessment of your English proficiency. The standardised test is designed to measure your level fairly and accurately, so it can be useful simply to gauge your strengths, and any areas you could improve on.
Get certified
Even if you have no immediate plans to relocate, having your IELTS certificate now will mean that you can seize any future opportunities that arise. Being proactive with your IELTS test preparation will take the pressure off when the time comes to apply for an exciting overseas degree or job role. In the meantime, you’ll also boost your prospects here in Singapore.
Boost your English skills
Just by going through the IELTS process, you will see a marked improvement in your English skills. You will likely be surprised by how much progress you can make, especially with the help of specialist tutors. Of course, you can choose to take IELTS with little to no preparation if you’d like to test your current level, but structured, daily practice will help you perform to your best ability under timed exam conditions.
Make exciting plans possible
If you feel daunted by the prospect of sitting an exam, try to see it as a positive step towards achieving your goals. Every hour of study will get you closer to where you want to go, and make your most exciting plans possible. Approaching the test with this mindset will help you to stay on track and focused on success.
How the British Council can help
The British Council provides expert support to help you reach your IELTS goal. There are two courses to choose from: IELTS Preparation and IELTS Coach Express.
IELTS Preparation is a 10-week course that will help you to score well in your test by focusing on the key language skills required for success. Suitable for students taking IELTS for academic or general purposes, the course is delivered part-time in small class sizes for maximum student-teacher interaction. You’ll receive individual guidance and feedback on all four parts of the test from highly qualified teachers who are specialists in IELTS.
If you have a limited amount of study time, the IELTS Coach Express course offers a condensed version of the full course. Conveniently, you can book your chosen IELTS course and test together. Both courses include access to free MyClub language workshops and events for all British Council students.
Visit the British Council’s website for more information on their IELTS Preparation course.
