IELTS General Training
Targeted preparation for the IELTS General Training test, ideal for immigration, work visa, and vocational training purposes. This course covers all four modules with a focus on the General Training Reading and Writing tasks, which differ from the Academic version. You will practise with workplace and social texts in Reading, learn to write effective formal and informal letters for Task 1, and develop confident Speaking and Listening skills for real-life situations.
What's covered
Listening
Identical to the Academic Listening test. Four recorded conversations and monologues covering everyday social and educational contexts. Difficulty increases across the four sections.
- •Multiple choice
- •Matching
- •Plan/map/diagram labelling
- •Form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion
- •Sentence completion
- •Short-answer questions
Reading
Three sections with texts drawn from real-life English-speaking environments. Section 1 contains 2-3 short factual texts related to everyday life (notices, advertisements, timetables). Section 2 has 2 texts related to work contexts (job descriptions, training materials). Section 3 has one longer, more complex text on a general interest topic.
- •True / False / Not Given
- •Matching headings
- •Matching information
- •Matching features
- •Multiple choice (single answer)
- •Multiple choice (multiple answers)
- •Summary completion
- •Note completion
- •Table completion
- •Flow-chart completion
- •Sentence completion
- •Short-answer questions
Writing
Two tasks. Task 1 requires you to write a letter of at least 150 words — it may be formal, semi-formal, or informal depending on the situation. Task 2 is an essay of at least 250 words responding to a point of view, argument, or problem. Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1.
- •Task 1: Formal letter (to a company, manager, official)
- •Task 1: Semi-formal letter (to a teacher, landlord, neighbour you do not know well)
- •Task 1: Informal letter (to a friend or family member)
- •Task 1: Letter of complaint
- •Task 1: Letter of request
- •Task 1: Letter of apology or explanation
- •Task 1: Letter giving information or suggestions
- •Task 2: Opinion essay (agree/disagree)
- •Task 2: Discussion essay (discuss both views)
- •Task 2: Problem-solution essay
- •Task 2: Advantage-disadvantage essay
- •Task 2: Two-part question essay
Speaking
Identical to the Academic Speaking test. A face-to-face interview with an examiner in three parts covering familiar topics, a cue card long turn, and a deeper discussion.
- •Part 1: Personal questions on familiar topics (home, work, studies, hobbies)
- •Part 2: Individual long turn — describe a person, place, object, event, or experience
- •Part 3: Two-way discussion — abstract and analytical questions linked to Part 2 theme
Lesson Plan
12-Week Plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Course Introduction & Diagnostic All Skills — Assessment |
| Week 2 | Listening Foundations Listening |
| Week 3 | GT Reading — Everyday Texts Reading |
| Week 4 | GT Reading — Workplace Texts Reading |
| Week 5 | GT Writing Task 1 — Formal Letters Writing |
| Week 6 | GT Writing Task 1 — Semi-formal & Informal Letters Writing |
| Week 7 | GT Writing Task 2 — Essay Writing Writing |
| Week 8 | Speaking — Parts 1 & 2 Speaking |
| Week 9 | Speaking — Part 3 & Pronunciation Speaking |
| Week 10 | Listening & Reading — Advanced Listening & Reading |
| Week 11 | Mid-Course Mock Exam & Review Exam Simulation |
| Week 12 | Final Mock Exam & Exam Preparation Exam Simulation |
4-Week Plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Diagnostic & GT Essentials All Skills — Assessment |
| Week 2 | Letter Writing & GT Reading Writing & Reading |
| Week 3 | Essay Writing & Speaking Practice Writing & Speaking |
| Week 4 | Full Mock Test & Final Strategies Exam Simulation |
8-Week Plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Diagnostic & Course Overview All Skills — Assessment |
| Week 2 | Listening — Sections 1 & 2 Mastery Listening |
| Week 3 | GT Reading — Sections 1 & 2 Reading |
| Week 4 | GT Writing Task 1 — Letter Writing Writing |
| Week 5 | GT Writing Task 2 — Essays Writing |
| Week 6 | Speaking — All Three Parts Speaking |
| Week 7 | Listening & Reading — Advanced Practice Listening & Reading |
| Week 8 | Full Mock Exam & Exam Preparation Exam Simulation |
Ready to start IELTS General Training?
Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk about goals and a plan that fits.