Preparation for IELTS testing

How can CET maximise my chances?

The Centre for English Teaching (CET) sessions offer strategies and skills to boost IELTS results. All four IELTS components (listening, speaking, reading and writing) are covered to familarise you with skills you need.

You will learn to develop effective time management skills. You will also be empowered to achieve confidence in your language skills and to broaden your vocabulary and grammar.

Choose from four different classes:

Listening

You will develop skills and strategies for answering questions that show your ability to listen for specific information, listen for detail, identify the main idea, follow signpost words and a short talk. Question types practised may include note/summary/flowchart completion, multiple choice and labelling a diagram.

Reading

You will develop skills and strategies for answering questions that show your ability to skim for general understanding and scan for details, identify main and supporting ideas, identify a writer’s opinion and claims, understand a point of view and summarise. Question types practised may include heading matching, short answer questions, completing a diagram/table/flowchart/summary, True/False/Not Given, classification and Yes/No/Not Given.

Writing

You will develop skills and strategies for answering Task 1 & 2. For students taking the Academic Module, this may include practice interpreting tables, graphs and diagrams, describing trends, describing a process as well as planning your essay and organising ideas effectively. For students taking the General Training Module, this may include planning a letter effectively and the appropriate use of language as well as planning your essay and organisation of ideas.

Speaking

You will develop skills and strategies for the different stages of the speaking test. These may include responding to personal questions, preparing your talk, understanding more abstract questions and expressing your ideas clearly and effectively.

Where is it held?

At the Centre for English Teaching (CET), level 5, Wentworth Building, corner of City Road and Butlin Avenue, the University of Sydney 2006. Lift access is available from Butlin Avenue.

For more detailed information on class location and content, please click here.

How much does it cost and how do I pay?

$60 per class

Special offer: 10 classes for $500

Make your payment either by credit and debit card (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX), money order (post office), bank cheque, direct deposit or bank draft.

Class times & dates

Classes are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6.00pm to 7.45pm with a 15 minute break. Materials will be provided.

Classes are conducted upstairs in the Holme Building. From Tuesday 6 October classes will recommence on level 5, Wenthworth Building.

Please note: dates that fall on a public holiday will be moved to the following day.

There will be no evening classes during the University Christmas and New Year break. Classes will resume on Tuesday, 5 January 2010.

For further information contact:

Are there any sample IELTS tests?

Prepare for IELTS, includes three Audio CDs for General Training Practice and Academic Modules (Penny Cameron & Vanessa Todd) - $65*.

IELTS Specimen Materials 2003 - $35*.

*Prices are guides only and are subject to change

Alternatively you can visit the Free sample practice materials on the IELTS website.

Are there any other preparation materials?

There are a number of books you can use:

• A textbook for preparation: Focusing on IELTS: Reading and Writing Skills (Kerry O'Sullivan and Jeremy Lindeck)
• Focusing on IELTS: Listening and Speaking (Kerry O'Sullivan and Steven Thurlow)
• IELTS: Strategies for Study and IELTS Practice Test Book (Garbutt and O'Sullivan)
• Focusing on IELTS: Listening and Speaking
  - Book only - A$24.95*
  - Cassette only - A$29.95*
  - Compact Discs - A$29.95*
• IELTS Strategies for Studies + Cassette - A$39.45*
• IELTS Practice Test Book + Cassette - A$21.90*
  (*Prices are guides only and are subject to change)

These books are available from:

• NCELTR Publications
• The University Co-op Bookshop
• Bridge Bookshop (10 Grafton Street, Chippendale. Phone +61 2 9211 1660)