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British Council

Understanding IELTS: Reading

British Council via FutureLearn

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Prepare for success in your IELTS Reading test

The four courses in the British Council’s Understanding IELTS ExpertTrack will give you a complete guide to everything you need to know as you prepare for the IELTS test.

This course focuses on the reading test. You’ll explore the format of the test and the kinds of text you need to read, and develop learning strategies to help you tackle the different task types, from multiple choice to true, false, and not given.

You’ll also look at general reading strategies that will help you cope with the kind of complex texts on unfamiliar topics that you’ll meet in your IELTS studies.

This IELTS preparation course is aimed at anyone who wants to improve their English reading skills in preparation for the IELTS Reading test. It might also be useful for IELTS teachers. There are no formal entry requirements.

Syllabus

  • The skills you need for IELTS Reading
    • Introducing the IELTS Reading test
    • Getting it right
    • Skimming
    • Scanning
    • IELTS task types - Part 1
    • Review of the week
  • A wider vocabulary
    • Widening your range
    • Vocabulary
    • Paraphrasing
    • IELTS task types - Part 2
    • Review of the week
  • Getting ready for test day
    • Getting ready for your test
    • More Reading test tasks
    • Identifying the writer's view
    • Time management
    • Exam day
    • Round up

Taught by

David Lewis

Reviews

4.9 rating, based on 752 Class Central reviews

4.9 rating at FutureLearn based on 467 ratings

Start your review of Understanding IELTS: Reading

  • Anonymous
    This course is very much to the point and it 's easy to understand. If I had found it before my last test I don't think I would have failed,anyhow , I am going to upgrade each subject in this course and get myself well prepared before taking Ielts e…
  • Johry
    9
    I must say that this course is the best IELTS preparation program, I have ever come across. Before, joining this course, I attended face to face classes in my own country from the best institutions offering IELTS preparation. However, as compared to…
  • Rathin Bhattacharjee
    9
    Like I heard the Lead Course Educator, Mr. David say at the end, I'd also like to share his views by saying that it is indeed a shame that 'the Course has come to an end'. I feel sad that when I was a student, I didn't know of any such courses condu…
  • Anonymous
    I spent 100 usd for learning about IELTS test from a British Council approved coaching center Lexicon (Sajib Brother) in Khulna, Bangladesh. There I didn't learn any necessary thing. We just appeared at the practice test everyday and someday just…
  • Anonymous
    Hello everyone! I do recommend to take this course, because I really enjoyed it. There are a lot of tips, strategies, advice, useful resources and helpful practice materials on it. They are all supplied by the well-experienced educators. Also I en…
  • Anonymous
    I have to say, I am really enjoying the course, it contains a lot of helpful tips and startegies that helps you to succeed the islets reading test. Scanning, skimming, dealing with vocabulary and practicing sample questions are very good teaching s…
  • Anonymous
    Iam vijayalakshmi working as an English Techer in government high school in visakhapatnam, India. I started my journey with Future Learn courses since may 25,2020.I did nearly eight free online courses here. All are excellent. Especiall…
  • Anonymous
    This is a very useful course for both teachers and test takers who are not feeling confident whether to teach or approach a test. It provides you with the necessary skills you need to apply in the test or how to teach it( if you are a teacher). The…
  • Anonymous
    Too excellent! You certainly have to experience it yourself. Such a clear and reasonable explanation for each and every step, kind and motivational messages from educators will help you to be 100% engaged in the learning process. Dive in!
  • Anonymous
    This is an incredible course designed to help you score the highest in the IELTS. With this said, do not confound this course as another English course, this course is designed to focus and direct the language abilities you already possess to get the best score you are capable of, understanding completely the text format and how to dive into the different kinds of questions you will face in the test. With amazing teachers, wonderful advice from all places of the world and a common feeling of comradery, this course leads you to lose your shame and dare to act.
  • Anonymous
    At first , I was reluctant to join since it wasn't a webinar but on a second thought I remembered that I enjoyed the last future learn class I enrolled in, so I decided to join. It was an awesome experience. This course is knowledge packed. Thanks to all educators and my fellow online course mates. I always enjoyed when the educators give a task to do or ask for my opinion. Thanks to future Learn for making this class a success.
  • Anonymous
    The course has been a fantastic one for me. I am impressed with the course design, course materials, the techniques to be used and a good deal of advice from the educators. I also enjoyed taking active part in every step and communicating with other participants. The course has boosted my level of confidence to take the IELTS tests seriously.
  • Anonymous
    I really enjoy the course because of the good advice, tips and the way teachers explain all the techniques needed to improve our reading skills. The contents are very useful and help us understand the importance of reading outside our comfort zone in order to have a wide range of vocabulary and expressions, reading performance and time managment.
  • Anonymous
    As an English teacher with little knowledge of the IELTS exams, I found this course extremely helpful. It was well-explained and gave me a lot of resources which will be useful when it comes to teaching my students.
  • Anonymous
    I want to talk a little bit about my learning experience before and after I had started this course till where I am now. Earlier this year, I had an initiative of sitting for the IELTS because I view it as an opportunity to apply for a postgraduat…
  • Naeem Akhtar
    1
    I had learnt a lot, it was very nice and effective course. I had also learnt new words, new vocabulary and different new techniques for example scanning, skimming, heading matching , sentence completion, fill in the blanks , true false , yes no tag…
  • Anonymous
    I did learn alot about IELTS READING, got some tips about ielts reading, interacted with different participants on the coursre that helped me to develop some colaborative learning skills. The course also helped me know what ielts reading is all ab…
  • Anonymous
    I am taking the IELTS Reading course. Right now, I am finishing the second week, I still have one more. I have been learning interesting, useful and enriching information throughout the course. The videos where the mentors take part are a great lear…
  • Anonymous
    All the necessary guides, hints, points, and practical strategies are covered in this comprehensive course in a practical way. I am quite confident that if a candidate follows the course and tries to put all the points into practice the result will…
  • Anonymous
    Interesting occasion not to miss. Previously l use some reading technics that are correct but don't have specific approche to attack a text. At the end of this course, l have learnt nécessary tips to deal with a différents text exam.1. Face à text, and with the tittle l Will bring all vocabulary and predict my Journey. 2. Read carefully the instructions. 3. Read and understand questions. 4.remember the dos and don't of a reading test. 5. Well manage my time. 5.remember what is said about unknown vocabulary. 6. Work out of stress. 7.l self confidence and so on... This course is quite important

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