Preparatory Course for International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Part-time)

Programme Introduction

Our Preparatory Course for International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is aimed at preparing students to sit for the IELTS test. The preparatory course will enable students to build and enhance their four language skills comprising listening, reading, writing and speaking. This course consists of 20 units which covers each of these skills in details, provides students with the knowledge on the structure of the test questions and how best to approach in answering these questions. Practice tests to hone the students’ skills in answering certain types of questions will be given after every two units.

Upon successful completion of this Preparatory Course for IELTS, students should feel confident to register and take the IELTS test at one of the accredited examination centres.

IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions, over 3000 academic institutions in the United States and various professional organizations. It is also a requirement for immigration to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

For updated and accurate information of International English Language Testing System, please visit their website at www.ielts.org

DIMENSIONS International College is an authorised IELTS test venue for the British Council.

Objective

The objective of this course is to provide intensive English training for students who intend to sit for the IELTS Examination. By the end of the course, student will be able to:

• Write accurately and imaginatively in a range of text types with appropriate style
• Read and understand writing of a variety of text types and answer with confidence in the Test
• Handle with confidence the various sections of the oral test
• Understand English spoken by native speakers at natural speed and answer questions as required by the examination
• Learn how to deal with the various sections of the listening paper
• Develop exam strategies through progressive practice tests

Designed for

• Students who want to build up their English language competency
• Students who want to further their studies in an English-medium higher education programme

Course Structure

English training for IELTS

Course Outline

• Outline for Listening
  The Listening test format is made up of 4 sections:
  1. A conversation between two speakers in a social or semi-official context.
  2. A talk by a single speaker based on a non-academic situation.
  3. A conversation based on academic topics or course-related situations.
  4. A university-style lecture or talk.
  The student will be taught to answer the following types of question which will be posed in the Listening section of the test.
  Multiple choice; Note completion; Table completion; Labelling a diagram; Short answers; Sentence completion; Flow-chart completion
  
• Outline for Reading
  The examination has three reading passages and each of these passages is accompanied by 13 or 14 questions to make a total of 40 questions.
  The first passage is normally a descriptive text whereas the second and third may be more discursive and contain arguments. The three passages in total contain approximately 2,750 words and the questions for these passages must be completed in 60 minutes.
  Each passage may have more than one type of question and these questions are in the same format as those for the listening section of the examination.
  Multiple choice; Note completion; Table completion; Labelling a diagram; Short answers; Sentence completion; Flow-chart completion
  The student will be taught the main concepts of reading including skimming and scanning, selecting headings for paragraphs and recognizing keywords and phrases in both the questions and the passages.
  
• Outline for Writing
  The writing section of the examination is made up of two parts. In this course we will be concentrating on the Academic version of the examination.
  The first part of this section the student will be given some graphical or pictorial information and will be required to write a summary on the information given in at least 150 words.
  In the second part of this section the student will be given a topic and will be expected to organize and produce a written argument giving examples to support his/her argument. The student will be required to write at least 250 words.
  In the course the student will be taught sentence and paragraph structure; how to interpret and compare data; how to structure an argument; how to describe tables and graphs; how to present and justify an opinion; how to describe a process; how to summarize sentences and how to organize an essay and discover valid points using mind-mapping. The necessary grammar including linking words and phrases will also be presented.
  
• Outline for Speaking
  The IELTS Speaking session comprises a one-on-one interview in three parts.
  The first part, which should take 4 – 5 minutes, is an introduction and interview where the examiner will ask the student questions on his/her life and background and on a general topic.
  In the second part, which takes 3 – 4 minutes, the student will be given a topic by the examiner and after a minute’s preparation he/she will be required to speak for 2 -3 minutes on that topic without stopping.
  The final part of the test is a 4 – 5 minute discussion on the topic used in the second part.
  During the course the student will be taught how to talk about himself/herself; how to compare and contrast; how to sequence their talk; how to express reasons and give opinions; and he/she will learn the most common topics that come up in the examination.
  

Scope of Study

Academic English

Delivery Mode

Lectures, audio, oral

Commencement Date/Intakes

Click here to check the dates of Programme Intake for 2024
Click here to check the dates of Programme Intake for 2025
DIMENSIONS reserves the right to change the intakes at any time without prior notice.

Course Fees

Please click here for more information on the fees which are likely to be incurred during the students’ course of study. Students are expected to pay for the stipulated fee(s) incurred, if necessary.

Payment Mode

For more information on Payment Mode, please click here.
For more information on Fee Protection Scheme (FPS), please click here.
For further details, please contact your Admissions Officer at 6334 0600.

Duration

The course duration is 6 months Institutional Training.

Maximum allowed period for a student to complete the course is 12 months.

Opportunities for Further Education/Career Pathway

IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions, over 3000 academic institutions in the United States and various professional organisations. It is also a requirement for immigration to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Notes:

• Graduates progression pathway is subject to the respective Institutions’/Universities’ entry requirements at the point of application.
• Foreigner’s application for jobs in Singapore is subject to the approval from the Ministry of Manpower of Singapore (MOM). DIMENSIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE any success rate of approval.

Entry Requirements

Age: At least 15 years old.
Academic Level: Sit for placement test to determine suitability.

Class Periods

Full-time
Monday to Friday: 8.30am - 11.00am and/or 12.15pm - 2.45pm

2.5 hours per session. All specific programme schedules will be reflected in the timetable.

Examination Period

Refer to www.ielts.org to find out the test dates of IELTS Centre

Assessment Methods

Progressive Tests throughout the course.

Assessment Grading Criteria

According to IELTS band scores. Click here for details.

Expected Examination Results Release Date

Test Results will be issued by IELTS Centre (If applicable)

Qualification Award

International English Language Testing System Test Report Form (Test Results) issued by International English Language Testing System (UK)

Graduation Requirements

Completion of the course

Teacher – Student Ratio

Average teacher-student ratio is 1:30
Note: The number of students in the classroom is subject to the maximum seating capacity.