The IELTS course
Original lessons for Academic and General Training. Each module teaches a method, then gives you practice, with example answers and our band estimates.
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In true numbers
The course in true numbers
Every figure is counted from the lessons themselves.
- Lessons
- 175
- Modules
- 32
- Free to read
- 5
- Study time
- About 63 hours
- Example answers
- 38
- Practice tasks
- 103
- Questions to answer
- 2,171
Free lessons
Free to read, no login needed
The rest are for members: 3‑day free trial, then a monthly price set for your country. Example answers and band estimates are our own, not official IELTS material.
The modules
Every part of the test, module by module
Each module teaches a method, then gives you practice.
Module 1
Start here: how IELTS works
The test, the scores and a study plan.
4 lessons, About 3 hours, 2 free
Progress0 of 4 done
Module 2
Writing Task 2: the essay
The task that counts most in Writing: a clear method from question to finished essay.
11 lessons, About 11 hours, 2 free
Progress0 of 11 done
- What Writing Task 2 asks for
- The five question types
- Plan your essay in five minutes
- Write a strong introduction
- Build body paragraphs that score
- Finish with a clear conclusion
- Coherence and cohesion
- Vocabulary that sounds natural
- Grammar for a higher band
- Example essays with notes
- Timed practice: six essay questions
Module 3
Writing Task 1 (Academic): describing visuals
Graphs, tables, charts, maps and processes: what to include, what to leave out, and the language for it.
7 lessons, About 7 hours
Progress0 of 7 done
Module 4
Writing Task 1 (General Training): letters
Formal, semi-formal and informal letters that cover every point in the right tone.
3 lessons, About 3 hours
Progress0 of 3 done
Module 5
Speaking: the interview
All three parts, with methods you can practise out loud.
8 lessons, About 7 hours, 1 free
Progress0 of 8 done
Module 6
Reading: strategy and practice
A method for every question type, and original passages to practise on.
7 lessons, About 6 hours
Progress0 of 7 done
Module 7
Listening: strategy and practice
How to predict answers, spot distractors and spell what you hear, with original scripts your device reads aloud.
6 lessons, About 5 hours
Progress0 of 6 done
Module 8
The alphabet and sounds
Level 1, Module 1: the English letters and sounds, one photo at a time.
6 lessons, 62 min
Progress0 of 6 done
Module 9
Greetings, numbers and colours
Level 1, Module 2: hello and goodbye, your name, numbers to twenty, colours and the days of the week.
6 lessons, 65 min
Progress0 of 6 done
Module 10
Family and everyday things
Level 1, Module 3: your family, things at home, food, clothes and animals, one photo at a time.
6 lessons, 65 min
Progress0 of 6 done
Module 11
Simple sentences about me
Level 1, Module 4: your first sentences: this is, I am, I am from, I have, I like, and simple questions.
6 lessons, 56 min
Progress0 of 6 done
Module 12
Reading and listening to tiny texts
Level 1, Module 5: read signs, notes and very short texts, and listen to short chats.
5 lessons, 55 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 13
Everyday conversations
Level 2, Module 1: short everyday talks: meeting people, shopping, asking the way and making plans.
5 lessons, 55 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 14
Past and future
Level 2, Module 2: talk and write about yesterday, last year, tomorrow and next week.
5 lessons, 51 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 15
Reading short texts
Level 2, Module 3: read short notices, emails, messages and adverts and find the facts you need.
5 lessons, 43 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 16
Listening to short talks
Level 2, Module 4: listen to short talks and announcements and pick out times, places and numbers.
5 lessons, 48 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 17
Writing short messages
Level 2, Module 5: write short notes, emails and messages that say clearly what you need.
5 lessons, 48 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 18
Writing basics
Level 3, Module 4: clear sentences and paragraphs, linking words and a first look at both writing tasks.
5 lessons, 50 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 19
Speaking basics
Level 3, Module 5: answer questions about yourself with reasons and examples, as in Speaking Part 1.
5 lessons, 53 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 20
Reading skills for band 6
Level 4, Module 3: skimming, scanning, True/False/Not Given, headings and paraphrase.
5 lessons, 42 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 21
Listening skills for band 6
Level 4, Module 4: predict answers, follow signposts, catch spellings and numbers, avoid distractors.
5 lessons, 44 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 22
Writing Task 2 at band 6.5
Level 5, Module 3: plan fast, build clear arguments and develop each idea fully in Task 2.
5 lessons, 45 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 23
Reading at band 6.5
Level 5, Module 4: harder question types, longer passages and working to the clock.
5 lessons, 47 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 24
Listening at band 6.5
Level 5, Module 5: discussions, lectures, note completion and the traps that cost marks.
5 lessons, 44 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 25
Advanced writing
Level 6, Module 1: precise vocabulary, complex sentences and well-built arguments in both tasks.
5 lessons, 50 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 26
Advanced speaking
Level 6, Module 2: longer turns, abstract topics and natural, flexible language in Parts 2 and 3.
5 lessons, 50 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 27
Advanced reading
Level 6, Module 3: academic passages, the writer’s views and the hardest question types.
5 lessons, 46 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 28
Advanced listening
Level 6, Module 4: academic lectures, fast speech and answers that are said in other words.
5 lessons, 47 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 29
Mastering writing
Level 7, Module 1: nuance, style and control at the top of the scale in both tasks.
5 lessons, 46 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 30
Mastering speaking
Level 7, Module 2: speak with ease and precision on any topic, idioms and all.
5 lessons, 54 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 31
Mastering reading
Level 7, Module 3: dense academic texts, fine distinctions and full accuracy under time.
5 lessons, 51 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Module 32
Mastering listening
Level 7, Module 4: every detail at full speed: lectures, accents and tricky distractors.
5 lessons, 41 min
Progress0 of 5 done
Begin with ‘The test at a glance’
A free lesson of 35 minutes. No login needed, and your progress stays in this browser.