The IELTS Academic exam serves as a gateway to pursue studies in an international setting and is mandated by a multitude of institutions as a prerequisite for admission. The competitiveness of your application increases proportionally with a higher band score, thereby enhancing your likelihood of acceptance. An impressive IELTS score holds significant sway over your future academic and professional prospects. Primarily, it attests to your language proficiency level. Furthermore, it demonstrates your ability to excel under tight deadlines, showcasing a valuable skill set in addition to your academic prowess.
It is crucial to have excellent application to stand out from other applicants. The key to excelling in the IELTS exam is to prepare under the professional guidance. Meet Giorgi Tsurtsumia, lecturer of our new IELTS course. He shares his experience, program structure, teaching methods, and other important details and recommendations regarding the test.
With over 15 years of English teaching experience, Giorgi‘s focus for the past 5 years has centered on preparing students for the IELTS exam. As a certified teacher, he holds three diplomas in teaching and education, which have been instrumental in structuring effective courses tailored specifically for IELTS preparation. The paramount lessons gleaned from his years of teaching involve cultivating patience and consistency. The key lies in identifying issues, addressing them attentively, and patiently awaiting the resulting improvements.
The IELTS exam is inherently pragmatic, emphasizing practical skills such as listening, reading, writing, and speaking. It prioritizes application over theoretical knowledge. Furthermore, the exam questions not only assess your English proficiency but also gauge your preparedness to thrive in an intensive English-speaking environment. Reflecting on Giorgi‘s teaching journey, numerous success stories stand out, including students achieving impressive band scores and gaining admission to prestigious universities. Notably, some students attained a remarkable score of 8.5. In certain instances, they achieved an 8.0 score in just 5-10 lessons.
“However, the most memorable experiences involve students with initially low self-esteem, whose confidence I successfully bolstered. One such student secured an international scholarship and spent a year studying in the UK.”
As Giorgi remarks, he refrains from adhering strictly to one or two teaching methods. Regardless of the methodologies employed, their effectiveness hinges on identifying the unique needs of each student. As such, his approach involves determining the type of learner the student is and providing tailored support throughout the entire learning process.
“My preference leans towards utilizing online resources to ensure accessibility for all students, whether attending lessons in person or virtually. This approach guarantees that all materials are readily available, fostering an inclusive learning experience.”
The lessons integrate both theoretical and practical components. From the outset, students will have the opportunity to grasp universal strategies and methods for approaching the exam. Continuous feedback from the lecturer on their progress will be provided, leading to instant score improvement in just a couple of sessions.
It is important to note that Giorgi’s lessons prioritize interactivity, moving beyond traditional lectures on test-taking techniques. Instead, the focus is on identifying and resolving the most challenging aspects of the material. The final segment of each session is dedicated to consultations and addressing individual problems.
“I take on a role beyond that of a standard teacher, acting as a facilitator to help students recognize their challenges and the underlying causes of errors. I guide them on improvement strategies. In many instances, students will need to practice independently, engage with documentaries, explore online resources, learn new vocabulary and collocations, and immerse themselves in the language. “
This course is designed for students with at least an upper-intermediate level of English but a lack of awareness regarding effective strategies and methods. While the course aims to enhance language skills and proficiency, its primary focus lies in imparting strategies and methods for effectively navigating the test itself. The emphasis is on practicality, targeting identified issues and resolving them within a short timeframe.
Typically, the students in each group possess similar skills and proficiency levels. Consequently, the focus is directed towards strategies and methods for approaching the exam more effectively. Every piece of advice provided in the course is valuable to all participants. If an individual has a unique problem unrelated to the rest of the group, the lecturer addresses it through personalized, one-on-one meetings.
“Leveraging my experience in applying to various universities, studying in the UK, and securing a scholarship, I bring practical insights that assist students in improving their skills while also connecting the IELTS examination to their educational aspirations. Achieving a band score of 7.0 is challenging, but with our high standards and my guidance, I can facilitate the process for them.”
Even among high-level students, common mistakes persist. For instance, some erroneously believe that comprehending the entire reading text is essential for achieving the maximum score—a misconception. Given the complexity of reading passages in terms of vocabulary and grammar, coupled with the time constraint of one hour to read three texts and answer 40 challenging questions, a detailed reading approach is impractical. Giorgi teaches students how to initiate reading exercises, identify crucial information, and concentrate solely on the details necessary to answer the questions.
Feedback, particularly in the writing section, includes individual performance reports. However, the most crucial errors will be discussed during sessions, creating a valuable learning experience for all participants.
Here are some advice for future students from Giorgi: