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James Castleden, MA Applied Linguistics & DELTA

From ex-IELTS examiner James Castleden's YouTube channel IELTS Step-by-step comes a course dedicated to improving your reading skills, your confidence, and your time management in the IELTS Reading exam. Together, you and James will complete 24 past papers (12 Academic and 12 General Training) and then review them in detail.

You'll also learn hundreds of tips, tricks, skills and techniques that will significantly improve your IELTS Reading grade in 76 videos focusing on your personal needs to get that 7+ in Reading.

Read more

From ex-IELTS examiner James Castleden's YouTube channel IELTS Step-by-step comes a course dedicated to improving your reading skills, your confidence, and your time management in the IELTS Reading exam. Together, you and James will complete 24 past papers (12 Academic and 12 General Training) and then review them in detail.

You'll also learn hundreds of tips, tricks, skills and techniques that will significantly improve your IELTS Reading grade in 76 videos focusing on your personal needs to get that 7+ in Reading.

If you've been battling to finish the IELTS Reading exam in time, or getting frustrated with yourself for not being able to find the answers, or simply not getting the score you deserve, then this is the course for you. You'll feel so much more prepared, confident and ready to tackle the IELTS Reading exam head-on.

"It is a great course full of reading techniques and tips to solve each kind of question. I took 8.5 in reading by following this course. Thank you James for your great work." — Mahmoud

"I presented the Academic IELTS exam last May and I got 6.5 in reading with a lot of complications. Then, I took this course, and I presented the exam again, this August, and I got 8.0 easily, without overthinking." — Kevin

"Really helpful content. By the end of the course, I was able to score 39-40 in a few tests. Thanks a lot. "—Lovy

"Took my IELTS test on march 12th 2022 and I got 8 band ,wouldn't be possible without the help of this course. The tips and tricks which you taught for every type of questions asked in IELTS was very useful. The amount of practice test included in this course definitely helped me out in improving my score gradually. Would highly recommend IELTS aspirants to take up this course and also the course " Thank you James and keep continuing the great work."—Krishnukumar

"Excellent tricks to resolve questions quickly."—Mohammed

"A Big Thanks, this course helped me a lot to achieve 9 Bands in reading module of GT."—Sharanjeet

"First of all, James, thank you very much for putting this course together. Today, I got my IELTS results and I have managed to score a perfect score of 9. I am a working professional and never had enough time to prepare for IELTS. This course is designed to deliver as much information as you need in the shortest amount of time, and not to mention the practice tests were a huge help. My advice, If you listen to the lectures, follow the tips and tricks and apply them in the mock tests, you will score high for sure."—Ovais

"Amazing, above expectations. I am now a band 8"—Sandra

"Thank you James , With great sound knowledge, tips and information of this course I achieved 7 bands in an official IELTS exam recently."—Muhammad

• 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.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Improve your ielts reading grade significantly to a 7+
  • Do 24 real reading past papers and review them in detail
  • Learn tips and tricks to immediately improve your grade
  • Learn skills that are essential for getting a 7+
  • Learn about every type of ielts reading task
  • Improve your general reading skills

Syllabus

Introduction
Welcome and Introduction | The Details

Watch a welcome video, explaining how this course can benefit you and explaining the course structure and outline.

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Learn about the Matching Headings task type

A Tips & Tricks video about why understanding the context of a piece of text is so important for improving your comprehension.

Watch this Learner Training video to review and practice previewing, skimming and scanning.

Learn about the True/False/Not Given (and Yes/No/Not Given) task types

A Tips & Tricks video about what distractors are and how to deal with them.

Watch this Learner Training video to review and practice speed reading.

Learn about the Categorisation task type.

A Tips & Tricks video about the best way to focus your attention on important words in the questions and optional answers.

Watch this Learner Training video to understand collocations and practice using them to help you in the exam.

Learn about the Summary Completion task types.

A Tips & Tricks video about understanding what is expected of you from the task instructions.

Watch this Learner Training video to understand what lexical sets are and how you can use them to improve your grade.

Learn about the Sentence Completion & Endings task type.

A Tips & Tricks video about how important knowing a wide range of synonyms is.

Watch this Learner Training video to understand what honey lexis is and how you can harness it to improve your grade.

Learn about the Multiple Choice task type.

A Tips & Tricks video about the best way to take notes on the question paper.

Watch this Learner Training video to review and practice answering True/False/Not Given (and Yes/No/Not Given) questions.

Learn more about the List Selection task type.

A Tips & Tricks video about checking your spelling and why it's so important.

Watch this Learner Training video to review what topic sentences are practice note taking while reading the text.

Learn about the Choosing a Title task type (usually General Training exam only).

Learn about the Matching Section Information task type (General Training exam only).

Watch this Learner Training video to explore ways of double checking that you haven't made any mistakes.

Learn about the Table Completion task type.

A Tips & Tricks video about why it's impossible to understand everything and why focusing on the task at hand will improve your grade in the long run.

A Learner Training video explaining how you can go about improving your vocabulary and grammar for the IELTS exam.

Learn about the Flow Chart task type.

A short Tips & Tricks video about a common mistake that candidate often make and how to avoid it.

Watch this Learner Training video to analyse your own weaknesses in order to focus on the areas that need work.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Includes 24 past papers, providing extensive practice material that closely simulates the actual IELTS Reading exam, which is essential for familiarization and confidence building
Focuses on improving time management skills, a crucial aspect of the IELTS Reading exam where test-takers often struggle to complete all sections within the given time
Offers tips, tricks, skills, and techniques to improve the IELTS Reading grade, which can be particularly beneficial for learners aiming for a specific band score
Reviews past papers in detail, which allows learners to understand the reasoning behind correct answers and identify their own areas for improvement
Taught by an ex-IELTS examiner, which means learners benefit from insights into the exam's structure, marking criteria, and common pitfalls to avoid
Requires learners to dedicate time to completing 24 past papers, which may be challenging for those with limited study time or who prefer a less intensive approach

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Reviews summary

Effective ielts reading preparation course

According to learners, this course is a highly effective preparation tool for the IELTS Reading exam, particularly for those aiming for a band score of 7 or higher. Students frequently report significant improvements in their scores after taking the course. The practical tips, tricks, and techniques taught are highlighted as especially useful for managing time and tackling different question types. The inclusion of numerous past papers and detailed feedback sessions is seen as a major strength, providing ample practice. While the course structure focuses on exam strategy, learners appreciate the clear explanations from the instructor.
Helps improve speed and finish on time.
"got 8.0 easily, without overthinking."
"The tips helped me finish the reading section within the time limit."
"I no longer battle to finish the exam in time."
"Learned how to manage my time effectively on test day."
"Speed reading techniques were very useful."
Instructor explains concepts effectively.
"Thank you James for your great work."
"thank you very much for putting this course together."
"James explains complex ideas simply."
"The video lectures were easy to follow."
"The instructor's guidance was very helpful."
Includes many past papers for practice.
"The amount of practice test included in this course definitely helped me out in improving my score gradually."
"practicing with real past papers made a huge difference."
"The practice tests were a huge help."
"Working through 24 past papers was incredibly beneficial."
"The feedback sessions on the tests clarified my mistakes."
Provides practical strategies for the exam.
"It is a great course full of reading techniques and tips to solve each kind of question."
"Excellent tricks to resolve questions quickly."
"The tips and tricks which you taught for every type of questions asked in IELTS was very useful."
"I learned effective strategies to improve my speed and accuracy."
"The techniques shared for matching headings and T/F/NG were game changers."
Helps achieve higher band scores, often 7+
"I got 8.5 in reading by following this course."
"I got 8.0 easily, without overthinking."
"By the end of the course, I was able to score 39-40 in a few tests."
"Took my IELTS test... and I got 8 band ,wouldn't be possible without the help of this course."
"I achieved 7 bands in an official IELTS exam recently."

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 Reading with these activities:
Review English Grammar Fundamentals
Strengthen your understanding of English grammar to improve reading comprehension and accuracy in identifying correct answers.
Show steps
  • Identify key grammar areas for IELTS reading.
  • Review grammar rules and practice exercises.
  • Focus on sentence structure and verb tenses.
Improve Your IELTS Reading Skills
Enhance your reading skills with a dedicated IELTS preparation book that focuses on strategies and practice.
Show steps
  • Read the book chapter by chapter.
  • Complete the exercises and review the answers.
  • Apply the strategies to practice tests.
Speed Reading Exercises
Improve your reading speed and comprehension through regular speed reading exercises.
Show steps
  • Practice reading passages against a timer.
  • Use techniques like skimming and scanning.
  • Track your progress and adjust your strategy.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Vocabulary List for IELTS Reading
Build a comprehensive vocabulary list to improve your understanding of IELTS reading passages.
Show steps
  • Identify unfamiliar words from practice tests.
  • Define the words and note their synonyms.
  • Review the list regularly and use the words in sentences.
Cambridge IELTS Series
Practice with authentic IELTS past papers to familiarize yourself with the exam format and difficulty.
Show steps
  • Complete full reading tests under timed conditions.
  • Review your answers and identify areas for improvement.
  • Analyze the passages and questions to understand the reasoning.
Help Others in Online Forums
Reinforce your understanding by helping other students with their IELTS reading questions in online forums.
Show steps
  • Find online forums dedicated to IELTS preparation.
  • Answer questions related to reading passages and strategies.
  • Explain your reasoning and provide helpful tips.
Analyze IELTS Reading Question Types
Deepen your understanding of IELTS reading by analyzing the different question types and developing strategies for each.
Show steps
  • Identify the main IELTS reading question types.
  • Analyze past papers to find examples of each type.
  • Develop specific strategies for answering each type effectively.
  • Document your findings and strategies in a report.

Career center

Learners who complete IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Tutor
A tutor provides individualized instruction to students, often focusing on specific subjects or skills. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course is directly applicable for individuals looking to become tutors, especially in the area of English language proficiency. The course provides a structured approach to improving reading skills, test-taking strategies, and building confidence, all of which are essential for effective tutoring. A tutor can incorporate the tips, tricks, and techniques learned from the course to better guide their students, creating a more targeted and effective learning experience. The review of past papers will be useful.
ESL Instructor
An ESL Instructor helps non-native speakers learn English. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course is valuable for anyone aspiring to work as an English as a Second Language Instructor. The course emphasizes practical reading skills and strategies, directly relevant to the challenges faced by ESL learners. Aspiring ESL instructors can leverage the course's techniques for improving reading speed, comprehension, and accuracy to better assist their students. The course's focus on common mistakes and effective study habits would also be very helpful in designing lesson plans and providing targeted feedback.
Proofreader
A proofreader reviews written content to identify and correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course may be helpful those seeking a career as a proofreader. The course focuses on improving reading skills, which are essential for identifying errors in written text. The course's emphasis on attention to detail, understanding context, and mastering grammar will help one who wishes to pursue proofreading. It may also provide a refresher on English fundamentals.
English Teacher
An English teacher imparts knowledge of the English language, literature, and composition. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course may be useful to prospective English teachers, particularly those planning to teach English as a second language. The course provides a solid foundation in reading skills, test-taking strategies, and time management, directly applicable to helping students improve their reading proficiency. English teachers can leverage the tips, tricks, and techniques learned from the course to better guide and support their students in mastering reading comprehension. The course's detailed review of past papers would be especially relevant.
Copy Editor
A copyeditor edits written materials before publication. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course helps improve reading skills, which are essential for identifying errors and improving clarity in written text. Aspiring copy editors can expect to refine their ability to spot inconsistencies, grammatical errors, and stylistic issues. The course's emphasis on attention to detail, understanding context, and mastering grammar will allow copy editors to be successful in their career. The lessons on lexical sets may prove useful.
Educational Consultant
An educational consultant provides expert advice on educational practices. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course is a resource for those interested in becoming educational consultants, particularly in the area of language proficiency. The course provides a practical and effective approach to improving reading skills that can then be shared with students. This course can assist educational consultants in advising students and teachers on effective strategies for improving reading comprehension and test performance. The course's structured approach and focus on practical tips are valuable.
Curriculum Developer
A curriculum developer creates and designs educational materials. Aspiring curriculum developers looking to specialize in language learning may find the IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course useful. The course offers insights into effective reading strategies, common challenges faced by language learners, and practical tips for improving comprehension. This knowledge can assist a curriculum developer in designing engaging and effective reading exercises as well as assessment materials. The curriculum developer can use the detailed feedback from past papers to inform curriculum design.
Instructional Designer
An instructional designer creates learning experiences. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course may be useful for aspiring instructional designers, especially those focused on language learning. The course's approach to improving reading skills through practical exercises and detailed feedback provides a valuable model for designing effective learning materials. An instructional designer can adapt the course's structure and content to create engaging and targeted reading modules for various learning platforms. The course's emphasis on time management and test-taking strategies will prove helpful.
Paralegal
A paralegal assists lawyers by conducting legal research, drafting documents, and preparing for trials. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course can be helpful for a paralegal. Strong reading comprehension skills are essential for understanding legal documents, case files, and statutes. The course's focus on improving reading speed, accuracy, and attention to detail enables paralegals to efficiently gather information, analyze legal issues, and prepare persuasive legal arguments. The lessons on common mistakes may prove useful.
Researcher
A researcher gathers and analyzes information to answer questions. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course can be helpful to those looking to become researchers. Researchers must possess strong reading comprehension skills to effectively evaluate and distill information from books, articles, and other materials. The course's focus on improving reading speed, accuracy, and attention to detail supports a researcher's ability to quickly and efficiently process information and address research questions. The course may also help them spot errors.
Technical Writer
Technical writers create documentation to simplify complex and technical information. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course may be useful to technical writers. The course focuses on improving reading skills and comprehension, which are essential for understanding complex technical concepts and distilling them into clear, concise, and accessible documentation. Technical writers must quickly and accurately comprehend detailed information, and the course's emphasis on reading speed and accuracy can be expected to improve their productivity and the quality of their work. The focus on understanding context would be valuable for writers.
Journalist
A journalist is responsible for investigating, writing, and reporting news stories for various media outlets. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course may be useful for prospective journalists. Strong reading comprehension skills are essential for quickly grasping background information, understanding complex issues, and accurately interpreting sources. The course's focus on improving reading speed, accuracy, and attention to detail can help journalists efficiently gather information and craft well-informed news reports. The lessons on vocabulary may prove useful.
Content Writer
A content writer researches, writes, and edits content for websites, marketing materials, and other platforms. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course may be helpful for aspiring content writers. Content writers need to be able to understand the source materials, which can often be long and wordy. The course focuses on improving reading skills and comprehension, which are essential for understanding complex concepts and distilling them into clear and engaging content. The focus on vocabulary and grammar will be valuable.
Librarian
A librarian manages and organizes library resources, assists patrons with research, and promotes literacy. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course can be useful to those looking to become librarians. Librarians must possess strong reading comprehension skills to effectively evaluate and catalog books, articles, and other materials. The course's focus on improving reading speed, accuracy, and attention to detail supports a librarian's ability to quickly and efficiently process information and assist patrons with their research needs. The course may also help them spot errors.
Grant Writer
A Grant Writer researches and prepares grant proposals to secure funding for various projects. The IELTS Step-by-step Mastering Reading course may be helpful to grant writers, particularly those working in fields related to education or language development. Strong reading comprehension skills are essential for understanding complex grant guidelines, research papers, and project proposals. The course's focus on improving reading speed, accuracy, and attention to detail will enhance a grant writer's ability to craft compelling and persuasive funding requests, by identifying the important sections of a document. The course's emphasis on time management will also prove beneficial.

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 Reading.
Focuses on developing specific reading skills required for the IELTS exam, such as skimming, scanning, and understanding different text types. It provides targeted exercises and strategies to improve reading speed and comprehension. It valuable resource for students who want to enhance their reading abilities beyond simply taking practice tests.
The Cambridge IELTS series provides authentic past papers from Cambridge ESOL. These books are invaluable for practicing with real IELTS test materials. They offer a realistic test experience and help you become familiar with the format and difficulty level of the actual exam. This series is widely used by IELTS candidates and teachers alike.

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