Free IELTS Preparation Online - ESL

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test provides an evaluation of English for those who wish to study or train in English. It is very similar to the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) required by North American universities and colleges. IELTS is a jointly managed test by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council and IDP Education Australia. The test is accepted by many professional organizations in Australia and New Zealand, including  the New Zealand Immigration Service, the Australian Department of Immigration. If you are interested in studying and / or training in Australia or New Zealand, this is the test best adapted to your qualification needs. Studying for the IELTS test usually involves a long course. The preparation time is similar to that of the TOEFL, FCE or CAE courses (approximately 100 hours). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes and consists of the following: Academic Reading: 3 sections, 40 items, 60 minutes Academic Writing: 2 tasks: 150 words and 250 words, 60 minutes General Training Reading: 3 sections, 40 items, 60 minutes General Training Writing: 2 tasks: 150 words and 250 words, 60 minutes Listening: 4 sections, 40 items, 30 minutes Speaking: 11 to 14 minutes Up until now, there have been few resources on the Internet for First Certificate preparation. Luckily, this is beginning to change.   You can use these materials to prepare for the exam or to check to see if your level of English is right for working towards this exam. What Is the IELTS? Before beginning to study for the IELTS, it is a good idea to understand the philosophy and purpose behind this standardized test. To get up to speed on test taking, this guide to taking tests can help you understand general test taking preparation. The best way to understand the IELTS is to go straight to the source and visit the IELTS information site.   Study Resources Now that you know what you will be working towards, its time to get down to work! Read about common IELTS mistakes and check out the following free practice resources on the Internet.   From the IELTS official site: Sample test questions From the excellent IELTS-Blog:  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹A collection of insightful IELTS writing tips From Exam English: IELTS Resources From IELTS Exam Preparation: Practice tests