IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Speaking & Listening from Udemy

From ex-IELTS examiner James Castleden's YouTube channel IELTS Step-by-step comes a course dedicated to improving your speaking skills for a fluent and confident IELTS Speaking exam, and listening skills for improved performance and time management in the Listening exam. Together you and James will listen to and analyse 15 students from around the world doing the Speaking exam, watch videos about how to improve your speaking, and match with other students who are also looking to practice their speaking from all over the world.

For the Listening exam, you'll complete 12 real Listening past papers, reviewing them in detail. You will also learn 350 idioms to improve your speaking as well as a whole host of tips, tricks and techniques that will ensure you're ready for 7+ in both exams.

• Reviews for the Listening Part of the course: •

"I have been studying for IELTS nearly 6 months. Previously, I had taken private course from teachers face-to-face. However, I can say honestly that, this course is the best and you cannot find that type of course anywhere. Thank you for you great support James :)"—Muralinker

"An outstanding course that was well-above my expectations; I would have no hesitation in recommending it to my friends and colleagues. Thank you James for an exceptionally well-structured course, jam-packed with practical tips and strategies that actually worked. My score on completion of the final Listening Test was 40/40 (Level 9) in spite of my hearing disability. I would never have achieved this score without James's course given that my first attempt at taking a Listening Test was absolutely abysmal. "—Julieta

"Just superb. You couldn't ask for anything better."—Chris

"This course somehow helps me to achieve IELTS listening band 8.5; a year ago I got band 6 on listening."—Supakrit

"Great Course for IELTS Listening. I have corrected silly mistakes and gained a lot of confidence from this course. Thanks James."—Mahipal

• Reviews for the Speaking Part of the course: •

"Just amazing. Such as a great opportunity to rich that CLB 9. Delightful experience to study IELTS with skillful and educated person."—Юра

"This is a wonderful beginning to know more about ielts speaking sections. The best part of this is part three which is the amazing part to extend your answers about any topic."—Emad

"Great content."—David

• ABOUT ME •

I have a masters degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Leicester in the UK, and a Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA) from Cambridge University. I've been teaching for over 20 years, the last 10 of which have been predominantly focussed on teaching the IELTS exam. When I was an IELTS examiner, I was fortunate to have access to important aspects of the exam that many teachers and candidates are not aware of — these I can reveal to you in my courses.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Improve your ielts grade significantly to a 7+
Watch 15 speaking exams being done
Watch deep analysis of each speaking exam
Do 12 real listening past papers and review them in detail
Learn about every type of ielts listening task

Practice speaking with other students and the tutor
Learn tips and tricks to immediately improve your grade
Learn over 350 idioms, collocations and set phrases
Learn skills that are essential for getting a 7+
Improve your general listening skills

Improve your ielts grade significantly to a 7+
Watch 15 speaking exams being done
Watch deep analysis of each speaking exam
Do 12 real listening past papers and review them in detail
Learn about every type of ielts listening task
Practice speaking with other students and the tutor
Learn tips and tricks to immediately improve your grade
Learn over 350 idioms, collocations and set phrases
Learn skills that are essential for getting a 7+
Improve your general listening skills

Syllabus

IELTS Exam in general — FAQs

Introduction

Introduction to the Speaking & Listening course

SPEAKING: Ukrainian/Russian speaker + Band descriptors

Before you watch the candidate do the IELTS Speaking exam, see if you can answer the questions that come up. You'll compare what you do here with your performance at the end of this section — you should see a big improvement.

Now repeat the same task from the beginning of this section. Can you see how much you've improved?

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Features an ex-IELTS examiner who shares insights into the exam, which may help learners gain an advantage and improve their scores

Includes analysis of 15 speaking exams from diverse speakers, which may help learners understand different accents and speaking styles

Teaches 350 idioms, collocations, and set phrases, which are essential for achieving a high band score in the IELTS speaking and writing sections

Offers opportunities to practice speaking with other students, which may help learners improve their fluency and confidence

Requires learners to complete 12 real listening past papers, which may require learners to dedicate additional time to studying

Reviews summary

Ielts speaking & listening mastery

According to students, this course is outstanding and the best you can find anywhere for IELTS Speaking and Listening preparation. Learners highlight the practical tips and strategies that actually work, leading to significant score improvement. Many report achieving high band scores like 8.5 and 9 after taking the course, including a perfect 40/40 on the listening test. The content is described as superb and great, helping correct mistakes and build confidence. Reviewers particularly value the detailed analysis of speaking examples and the extensive listening practice.

Provides deep insights into the speaking test.

"The best part of this is part three which is the amazing part to extend your answers..."

"Analyzing the candidate performances gave me clear insights into examiner expectations."

"The feedback provided for different students' speaking tests was highly instructive."

Ample practice with real past papers.

"Doing the 12 past listening papers and reviewing them in detail was very helpful."

"The listening section really helped improve my performance and time management."

"I gained confidence specifically in the Listening test through the practice here."

Content is excellent and highly recommended.

"An outstanding course that was well-above my expectations..."

"Just superb. You couldn't ask for anything better."

"Great content."

"This course is the best and you cannot find that type of course anywhere."

Provides effective techniques that work.

"...jam-packed with practical tips and strategies that actually worked."

"I have corrected silly mistakes and gained a lot of confidence from this course."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately."

Helps learners achieve higher band scores.

"My score on completion of the final Listening Test was 40/40 (Level 9)..."

"This course somehow helps me to achieve IELTS listening band 8.5; a year ago I got band 6 on listening."

"Just amazing. Such as a great opportunity to rich that CLB 9."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Speaking & Listening with these activities:

Review IELTS Band Descriptors

Show steps

Familiarize yourself with the IELTS band descriptors to understand the criteria for scoring in speaking and listening.

Browse courses on IELTS

Show steps

Download the official IELTS band descriptors for speaking and listening.
Read through each band level, paying close attention to the differences between bands 6, 7, and 8.
Identify your current level based on your past performance or practice tests.
Set realistic goals for improvement based on the band descriptors.

Official IELTS Practice Materials

Show steps

Study official IELTS practice materials to gain a deeper understanding of the exam format and scoring criteria.

View The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Student's... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain the Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS or similar official practice materials.
Work through the practice tests, paying attention to the strategies and tips provided.
Analyze your performance and identify areas where you need to improve.
Review the explanations and sample answers to understand the correct approach.

Cambridge IELTS Series

Show steps

Practice with authentic IELTS past papers to familiarize yourself with the test format and improve your time management skills.

View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon

Show steps

Purchase the latest Cambridge IELTS book with audio CDs or online access.
Complete one full listening test under timed conditions.
Review your answers and identify areas where you made mistakes.
Listen to the audio again, paying attention to the sections where you struggled.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Idiom Flashcard Practice

Show steps

Memorize and practice using common English idioms to enhance your speaking fluency and comprehension.

Show steps

Create flashcards with idioms on one side and their meanings and example sentences on the other.
Review the flashcards regularly, focusing on idioms you find difficult.
Practice using the idioms in your daily conversations or writing.
Use the idioms in mock speaking tests.

Online Pronunciation Tutorials

Show steps

Follow online tutorials to improve your pronunciation of individual sounds, weak forms, and connected speech.

Show steps

Search for reputable online resources that offer pronunciation tutorials for English learners.
Focus on tutorials that address specific pronunciation challenges, such as minimal pairs or stress patterns.
Practice the exercises and repeat the sounds and words until you feel comfortable.
Record yourself speaking and compare your pronunciation to the tutorial examples.

Speaking Practice with a Partner

Show steps

Engage in regular speaking practice with a partner to improve fluency, pronunciation, and confidence.

Show steps

Find a language partner who is also preparing for the IELTS exam.
Choose a topic from the IELTS speaking test and take turns asking and answering questions.
Provide each other with constructive feedback on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Record your sessions and review them later to identify areas for improvement.

Record and Analyze Your Speaking

Show steps

Record yourself answering IELTS speaking questions and analyze your performance to identify areas for improvement.

Show steps

Choose a set of IELTS speaking questions (Part 1, 2, and 3).
Record yourself answering the questions as if you were in the actual exam.
Listen to the recording and note down any mistakes in grammar, pronunciation, or fluency.
Identify areas where you could have used more advanced vocabulary or complex sentence structures.
Practice the same questions again, focusing on correcting your mistakes.

Career center

Learners who complete IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Speaking & Listening will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

IELTS Tutor

An IELTS tutor specializes in helping students prepare for the International English Language Testing System exam. This course would be extremely useful for an IELTS tutor. The course includes detailed analysis of speaking exams, along with 12 actual listening past papers for review. You gain access to tips, tricks, and techniques that can improve your students' scores. The tutor will specifically benefit from the syllabus of this course, which includes sections on feedback, individual sounds, discourse markers, complex structures, fillers, improving accuracy, and intonation. An aspiring IELTS tutor should consider this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for IELTS Tutor

Language Instructor

A language instructor helps students develop their language skills. This course, with its focus on improving speaking and listening abilities for the IELTS exam, offers a valuable foundation for instructors. By analyzing speaking exams from diverse speakers and reviewing listening past papers, you gain insights into common challenges faced by language learners. You also acquire practical tips and techniques, like learning idioms and improving pronunciation, that you can then pass on to your own students. Further, this course may help language instructors create effective lessons. Instructors may find the section on the analysis of native speaker performance quite beneficial.

See salaries and explore the career path for Language Instructor

ESL Teacher

An ESL teacher instructs non-native speakers in English. This course on IELTS speaking and listening provides a helpful resource for ESL teachers. The detailed review of past papers and the analysis of speaking exams, featuring speakers from diverse backgrounds, equips you with strategies to improve your students' communication skills. You also gain access to valuable techniques for teaching grammar and pronunciation. This course, with its collection of idioms and practical tips, helps ESL teachers deliver engaging classes. The techniques to improve accuracy, like paraphrasing, may be especially helpful for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESL Teacher

Speech Coach

A speech coach works with individuals to improve their speaking skills. The analysis of speaking exams in this course makes it a helpful tool for a speech coach. By watching these exams performed by diverse speakers, the speech coach can learn more about speaking styles and examine the weaknesses of different speakers. This course contains insights that can improve a speech coach's instruction. In particular, the section on intonation may be valuable. This course may very well help a speech coach improve their craft.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speech Coach

Foreign Language Teacher

A foreign language teacher instructs students in languages other than their native tongue. This course may be useful for a foreign language teacher, as the course includes techniques to improve speaking, intonation, and listening skills. By watching speaking exams performed by diverse speakers, the teacher can learn techniques for overcoming student weaknesses. In particular, the section on learning through music may be valuable. This course may very well help a foreign language teacher improve their instruction.

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Accent Reduction Coach

An accent reduction coach helps people modify their pronunciation and speaking style. This course may be useful for an accent reduction coach, as the course includes a detailed analysis of diverse speakers taking the IELTS speaking exam. This provides a varied set of accents for insight and consideration. The course also includes learner training sessions focusing on pronunciation, intonation, and connected speech. The section on analyzing a native speaker's performance may especially help an accent reduction coach. Further, the section on learning through music may be valuable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accent Reduction Coach

Communications Trainer

A communications trainer helps individuals and teams improve their communication skills. This course may be useful for a communications trainer, specifically the sections devoted to improving speaking abilities. By watching and analyzing speaking exams from diverse speakers, trainers can identify common communication challenges. The idioms and set phrases included in this course may also be helpful in improving communication skills. A communications trainer may find the sections on learning through music and asking for clarification beneficial to becoming a communications trainer.

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Linguist

A linguist studies the science of language. This course may be useful for linguists, who must understand the nuances of language to be successful. This course on IELTS speaking and listening includes a detailed analysis of diverse speakers taking the IELTS speaking exam. It also includes learner training sessions focusing on pronunciation, intonation, and connected speech. A linguist may also review the section on analyzing a native speaker's performance and learning through music to further inform their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Linguist

Translator

A translator converts written or spoken content from one language to another. Proficiency in both languages is critical to becoming a translator. This course may be useful for a translator, as the course includes techniques to improve speaking, intonation, and listening skills in English. By watching speaking exams performed by diverse speakers, the translator can learn techniques for improved understanding. In particular, the section on intonation may be valuable. This course may very well help a translator improve their English proficiency.

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Foreign Affairs Officer

A foreign affairs officer works to promote and protect a country's interests abroad. Excellent communication skills are essential for a foreign affairs officer. The lectures and syllabus of this course covers techniques to improve speaking and active listening skills, which are critical to the role. By watching speaking exams performed by diverse speakers, the foreign affairs officer can learn techniques to improve communication skills. In particular, the sections on discourse markers and fillers may be valuable. This course may very well improve critical communication skills.

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Corporate Trainer

A corporate trainer develops and delivers training programs to employees. A corporate trainer may find this course useful, as the lectures and syllabus covers techniques to improve speaking and active listening skills. By watching speaking exams performed by diverse speakers, the trainer can learn techniques to improve communication skills. In particular, the sections on weak forms, discourse markers, complex structures, and fillers may be valuable. This course may very well help a corporate trainer improve their instruction.

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Market Research Analyst

A market research analyst studies market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. Active listening skills are critical to this role, as it involves conducting surveys and carrying out focus groups. This course on IELTS speaking and listening may be helpful for a market research analyst. The lectures and syllabus of this course cover techniques to improve speaking and active listening skills, which are critical to the role. By watching speaking exams performed by diverse speakers, the market research analyst may learn techniques to improve communication skills. In particular, the sections on discourse markers and fillers may be valuable.

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Instructional Designer

An instructional designer creates learning materials and experiences. The content of this course may provide useful insights for an instructional designer who develops language learning programs. By reviewing the structure of the course, including the deep analysis of speaking exams and the use of real listening past papers, a designer can gain ideas for creating effective and engaging lessons. By observing how the course addresses various aspects of language proficiency, like pronunciation and grammar, the instructional designer may apply similar techniques to his or her own lessons.

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Editor

An editor reviews and corrects written material. This course may be helpful for an editor. Editors must have a keen ear for language and an understanding of effective communication. By studying the course and listening to the sample lectures, editors improve their own understanding of language. The idioms in this course may also be helpful to an editor. By considering the advice given in this course, an editor may improve their craft.

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Technical Writer

A technical writer creates documentation, guides, and manuals. While seemingly unrelated, this course about IELTS speaking and listening may provide value to a technical writer. Often, technical writers must communicate complex information clearly and concisely. By studying the course and listening to the sample lectures, technical writers can improve the clarity of their own writing. The idioms in this course may also be helpful to a technical writer. By considering the advice given in this course, a technical writer may improve their writing.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Speaking & Listening.

The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Student's...

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This guide, published by Cambridge, offers a comprehensive overview of the IELTS exam. It includes practice tests, expert tips, and detailed explanations. It valuable resource for students who want to understand the exam format and improve their score. It good resource for students who want to improve their score.

The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Student's...

Paperback

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The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Student's...

Kindle Edition

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Alter Ego

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The Cambridge IELTS series provides authentic past papers from Cambridge ESOL. These books are essential for practicing with real test materials and understanding the format of the IELTS exam. They are particularly useful for the listening section, allowing you to familiarize yourself with different accents and question types. The speaking section can be used to practice answering common questions and developing fluency.

Alter Ego: A Novel

Paperback

IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Speaking & Listening

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Ielts speaking & listening mastery

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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