IELTS course
IELTS, International English Language Testing system is an alternative to the Cambridge exam. It’s a multi-level exam that assesses your English ability. It is recognized by over 10,000 universities and institutions worldwide including countries such as Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and the UK.
The ONE ENGLISH IELTS course prepares students for the IELTS Academic test. The course should bring students to a minimum of a Band 6 (B2).
IELTS course details
Course goal and entry skill level
The course goal of our IELTS course is B2/C1 ( Band 6-8)
The required skill level for entry high is B1 level (Band 5).
If you’re not familiar with these abbreviations, click here to read our pdf English levels explained.
If you’re unsure about your English level, you should take our ONE ENGLISH placement test, send it to us via email and we will correct it and give you feedback about your current level.
Course format and duration
Our course is divided into two different parts:
The first part of the course (week 1 – week 12): we focus on the structure of the exam, how to approach the Speaking test, how to write Academic pieces of writing (analysis of graphs, charts, diagrams etc…), how to write different types of essays, exposure to Academic texts (scientific, philosophical, historical etc…) and exam strategies.
Halfway through the course (week 13 and week 14): we organise a mid-course mock test and progress meeting with your teacher to discuss how realistic it is to take the exam successfully when the course ends.
The second part of the course (week 15- week 26): we focus on time management and perfecting exam strategies. Additionally, we work a great deal with exam papers and hold mock Speaking tests in class to ensure our students are fully prepared for the upcoming exam.
The IELTS course lasts approx. 2hrs x 26 weeks
Who is the course suitable for?
Students should have a minimum level of a B1 (Band 5) to participate in the course. The course is suitable for anyone, who wants to:
- Study in an English speaking country
- Become a Swiss primary school teacher
- Obtain a visa for Australia,New Zealand, Canada etc….
Course location
Steingraben 16, CH-4051 Basel
Upcoming course dates
31st March 2021 (click to view full details)
Time slot: Wednesday 16:00 – 18:00
Start date: 31st March 2021
Vacation: Easter holidays 7th April 2021
Mid-course mock test: 30th June 2021
Mid-course progress meeting: 7th July 2021
End date: 6th October 2021
For more information on the upcoming IELTS course check out our course overview pdf.
The four parts of the IELTS Academic exam
Listening
Duration: 30 minutes
You only hear the listening once. Candidates receive an extra 10 minutes at the end of the listening to transfer their answers to the answer sheet. This must be done in pencil.
For more information on the Listening paper, check out our IELTS overview pdf.
Reading
Duration: 60 minutes
Candidates do not receive any extra time to transfer their answers to the answer sheet. All answers must be written in pencil.
For more information on the Reading paper, check out our IELTS overview pdf.
Writing
Duration: 60 minutes
There are two parts in the writing. Both tasks are obligatory. Candidates do not get a choice.
For more information on the Writing paper, check out our IELTS overview pdf.
Speaking
Duration: 11-14 minutes
Candidates do not have a speaking partner in the speaking exam.
For more information on the Speaking exam, check out our IELTS overview pdf.
More information about the exam
What do I need to know about the »IELTS« certificate?
There are two types of IELTS exam : General & Academic. The IELTS academic test is for students interested in applying for higher education. It is highly recognised by educational institutions. The General test is for students who want to go to an English speaking country for work experience or secondary education. The General test is a requirement for migration to Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada.Unfortunately, the IELTS certificate has an expiry date. It expires after two years.
Find out more with our IELTS pdf
How do I enroll for the IELTS certificate exam?
We do not host exams at ONE ENGLISH. Students can register for their exam via the following link:
What is better, paper or computer-based?
This is highly dependable of the student. If you are more comfortable taking a conventional exam then the paper-based will suit for you. However, if you are comfortable using a computer then the computer-based will be your best option.
It usually takes an extra two weeks to receive your results, if you take the paper-based exam. Be aware that the structure of the computer-based is different to the paper-based.
You can read about the test format at https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/paper-or-computer
When should I enroll for the exam?
Since there are limited spaces for the IELTS, we recommend that you register at least three months to secure yourself a place.
