English teacher who specialises in IELTS training

MissGeorge wrote:

Hi Everyone!

I am an English teacher who specialises in IELTS training. I conduct most of my lessons via Skype so you can learn from anywhere in the world!

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help or advice :-)

Hello,
I also plan to take the IELTS test later this year, my question to you as a specialist in IELTS training : if my english level is pretty good, i'd say , is it better for me to take lessons or can I prepare alone at home with the materials from the british council and also other books I found in the libraries. What would you advice me to do?
Thanks in advance.

Hi Catalina,

Many students choose to study alone and do get great results in the exam so this is always an option. However I would say that the problem with doing this is you do not get feedback on your writing or speaking which is where students most often struggle. My advice would always be to supplement self-study with some time with a teacher who is familiar with the test and who can help you understand the questions, mark your writing and give you tips and advice about exactly what to work on so you don't waste your time studying things that may not help you.

If you do choose to study alone then I would recommend a comprehensive textbook (such as Focus on IELTS by Sue O'connell) that covers all aspects of the exam and provides lots of samples of good writing and typical learner mistakes. On top of this you should do as many exam papers as possible.

Obviously as a teacher I will always recommend studying with a teacher as the best way to quickly work towards the band score that you want, but if it only comes down to money and you're not 100% sure you'll get the score you need then I would think about the cost of having to re-sit the exam several times and compare that the price of a few 1-1 sessions with a good teacher.

I hope that helps!