Preparatory for International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Course details

This is a course which takes a graded approach to prepare students for the test-taking skills and strategies needed to successfully tackle the four IELTS modules: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The skills acquired through the course will also reflect a broad range of language for academic study in an English-speaking environment.

Beacon’s Preparatory Course for International English Language Testing System (IELTS) programme is is designed to meet the following aims:

1. To prepare students for the test-taking skills and strategies needed to successfully tackle the four IELTS modules: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
2. To equip students with a broad range of language skills for academic study in an English-speaking environment.

Course Structure

The course syllabus will be based on the contents of the IELTS test consisting of the four modules: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

1. Listening
   • Recognise question types
   • Anticipate possible answers
   • Listen for specific details
   • Listen for main ideas
   • Make inferences and draw conclusions
   • Take brief notes
2. Reading
   • Comprehend academic reading passages
   • Skim to get the main idea
   • Scan to locate specific information
   • Understand vocabulary in context
   • Identify the writer’s point of view
   • Achieve required reading speed within time limit
3. Writing
   • Avoid common grammatical errors in writing
   • Organise and produce coherent paragraphs with good linkers
   • Use academic vocabulary
   • Interpret and describe diagrams
   • Demonstrate a good control of complex sentence structures
   • Self- edit effectively
4. Speaking
   • Engage in conversations on familiar topics effectively, accurately and with confidence
   • Use appropriate vocabulary and language structures for academic presentations
   • Become familiar with the interview management skills
   • Generate and organise ideas within required time constraints

Upon completion of the Preparatory Course for International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the student should be able to:

1. understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation;
2. interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity;
3. produce clear detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
4. be familiar with assessment format of IELTS

Entry Requirements

This course is designed for full time foreign students who wish to advance their knowledge of the English language for social, academic or professional purposes.

They are required to take a placement test prior to admission to the IELTS course to determine what level their English is at when they arrive in Singapore.

Certification

After the completion of the Preparatory Course for International English Language Testing System (IELTS), students will be given a Certificate of Attendance by Beacon International College. However, students are encouraged to take the IELTS Test in order to get their IELTS score.

Assessment

The Preparatory Course for International English Language Testing System (IELTS) will be characterized by both lectures and task-based activities. A student-centred approach will be employed to produce positive results. Emphasis will be placed on short presentations, focused exercises, role-play, student-interaction, pair-work, student tasks, continuous assessment, projects and final exams.