– English Lyrics

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

Heard of IELTS but not sure what it is? In this video I’m going to show you how  

this English test could transform your  life and take you wherever you want to go!

Hello and welcome! My name is Emma, and in  this British Council IELTS preparation video,  

I’m going to tell you everything you  need to know about the IELTS test.

What it is, how it works and  why you might want to take it.

Let’s start at the beginning:  What is the IELTS test?

IELTS stands for: International  English Language Testing System

It’s an English language proficiency  test developed and run by the British  

Council in partnership with IDP  Education and Cambridge English.

Since 1989, IELTS has been widely  regarded as one of the world’s most  

popular English language proficiency tests  for higher education and global migration.

Who is IELTS for?

IELTS is for anyone looking to live, work  or study in an English-speaking country.  

Governments in Australia, Canada, New Zealand  and the United Kingdom all trust IELTS when  

processing immigration applications. IELTS is  also recognised by the educational institutions,  

employers and professional bodies that need  to verify your English language proficiency.

Alright, let’s take a look at the  different types of IELTS tests. 

There are three available to you:

IELTS General Training is designed  for anyone wanting to work, train,  

study below degree level, or migrate  to an English-speaking country. IELTS  

Academic is for those who want to study  at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Then there are the IELTS for UKVI Academic and  General Training, and ​​IELTS Life Skills tests,  

which are approved Secure English Language Tests  

(or SELT) by the UK Home Office  for visa applications to the UK.

You should always check entry  requirements for your target country,  

institution or association  before choosing your test.

There are three different ways you can take your  IELTS test: on paper, on computer and online.

Both the IELTS on paper and IELTS on computer  tests are conducted in test centres around the  

world. You can choose the option you prefer,  subject to availability in your local area.

In the IELTS on paper test, your answers  will be handwritten for the Listening,  

Reading and Writing sections. In the IELTS  on computer test, you’ll type your answers to  

these sections using a computer. In both tests,  the Speaking section will be done face-to-face  

with a trained IELTS Examiner. The key thing  to know is that the test content and structure  

are exactly the same for both tests. The only  difference is that you can decide whether to  

type your answers or write them down on paper.  You decide the format that works best for you.

If you choose the IELTS on computer test,  you’ll be eligible for the IELTS One Skill  

Retake. This gives you the option to retake  one section of the test (Listening, Reading,  

Writing or Speaking) if you need to improve  your score in one area, instead of retaking  

all four sections. It has been designed to help  you feel confident going into your test. We all  

have off-days and times when we don’t show our  full potential, so IELTS One Skill Retake is there  

to help get you back on track. You must sit the  One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original  

test. It’s widely available, and you can choose  to take it at any test centre where it is offered.

You can also choose to do your IELTS test online.  This gives you the flexibility to take your test  

wherever and whenever you want. It has the same  content and features as IELTS on paper and IELTS  

on computer, but it’s completed remotely. The  Listening, Reading and Writing sections are  

taken the same way as IELTS on computer. Your  Speaking test is then taken via an online video  

call with a human Examiner. All tests are marked  by trained IELTS Examiners and you’ll receive your  

results in 6–8 days. If you are thinking about  taking IELTS Online, make sure the institution  

you’d like to apply to is happy to accept results  from IELTS Academic tests that are done remotely. 

Why are you taking IELTS? For example,  are you planning to study abroad? Let us  

know in the comments below. As I’ve already mentioned,  

there are four sections in the IELTS test:  Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. If  

you’d like a complete guide to the IELTS test  format, check out this video here with Claire. 

So, why do millions of people  choose IELTS every year? 

Well, IELTS has been setting the standard  for English-language testing for more  

than 30 years. It’s trusted by more than  12,000 organisations in over 140 countries. 

It’s designed to showcase your true  ability to communicate in English through  

tasks and scenarios that are reflective of  everyday life in an English-speaking country. 

What’s great is that you’re able to choose  the test format you’re most comfortable with,  

whether that’s on paper or on computer, and  hopefully that will help you achieve the score  

you are aiming for. Unlike other providers  who rely on AI technology as standard,  

there is the opportunity in your Speaking  test to speak face-to-face with an Examiner  

so you can have a natural conversation as  if you are having coffee with a friend. 

It’s important to say at this stage that  the IELTS test is accepting of all English  

accents and is actively seeking to avoid cultural  bias. What truly matters is that you communicate  

clearly and use precise vocabulary. Every test is assessed by qualified  

Examiners who undergo rigorous training and  continuous monitoring. To maintain objectivity,  

three different Examiners are always involved  in rating your Writing and Speaking tests,  

so if your Writing Task 1 is assessed by a  particular Examiner, then that individual cannot  

mark your Writing Task 2 or conduct your Speaking  test. There are also cases where if one of the  

examiner-rated sections (Writing or Speaking) has  been awarded a score that is markedly different  

to the scores in the Listening and Reading,  these sections are automatically re-marked.  

The IELTS system offers you a transparent  testing process that is fully explained,  

so you know exactly what to expect and  there are no scary surprises on test day! 

OK, I think it’s time we looked at a few brilliant  resources to help you prepare for your IELTS test!

The British Council has a series of videos  designed to help you get ready for test day.  

From all-you-need-to-know guides on each of  the four sections, to tips and tricks to help  

you ace your test, we’ve got you covered.  Pick the ones you are most interested in  

and let us know if there’s a particular topic  you’d like us to cover in the comments below.

We also have IELTS Ready, which provides you  with free access to essential resources such  

as sample questions, model answers and  vocabulary exercises. It’s perfect if  

you aren’t quite ready to book your test  yet. It will help you to start preparing  

and familiarise yourself more closely with the  test format and task types. Did I mention that  

it’s totally free? You can join today  using the link in the description below.

If you are ready to go and have booked  your test with the British Council,  

you’ll get free access to our IELTS Ready  Premium platform. You’ll have access to  

a personalised study plan, practice  questions tailored to your abilities,  

and access to 40 practice tests. We recommend you  book your IELTS test early to boost your English  

language skills with our practice questions,  mock tests and lessons delivered by experts.

Alright, let’s review what we’ve looked at  and make a plan for your next steps together.

I want you to answer these questions:

Why are you taking the IELTS test? For example,  

are you planning to study  at a university in the UK?

This will help you answer the next question.

Which IELTS test is right for  you? IELTS General Training,  

IELTS Academic, IELTS Life Skills or IELTS UKVI?

How would you like to take your IELTS test? IELTS  on paper, IELTS on computer or IELTS online?

If your answer is IELTS on  paper or IELTS on computer,  

where is your nearest British Council test centre?

How are you going to prepare? Remember you’ve  got this series of British Council preparation  

videos plus free access to IELTS Ready  and IELTS Ready Premium to choose from!  

And how do you join those? By clicking the  link in the description below this video.

Good luck with your next steps and  feel free to ask any questions you  

might have in the comments below.  And don’t forget to subscribe!

This is your IELTS expert Emma, saying goodbye!

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
proficiency /prəˈfɪʃnsi/ C1	noun - a high degree of competence or skill; expertise
migrate /maɪˈɡreɪt/ B2	verb - to move from one region or country to settle in another
immigration /ˌɪmɪˈɡreɪʃn/ B2	noun - the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country
eligible /ˈelɪdʒəbl/ B2	adjective - having the right to do or obtain something
flexibility /ˌfleksəˈbɪləti/ B2	noun - the quality of bending easily or being easily adapted
rigorous /ˈrɪɡərəs/ C1	adjective - extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate
objectivity /ˌɒbdʒekˈtɪvəti/ C1	noun - the quality of being impartial and based on facts
showcase /ˈʃəʊkeɪs/ B2	verb - to display something in a favorable light
transparent /trænsˈpærənt/ B2	adjective - easy to perceive or detect; open and honest
tailored /ˈteɪləd/ B2	adjective - adapted or customized for a particular purpose
familiarise /fəˈmɪliəraɪz/ B2	verb - to learn about or become acquainted with
potential /pəˈtenʃl/ B1	noun - latent qualities or abilities that may be developed
institution /ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃn/ B2	noun - an organization founded for a religious, educational, or social purpose
collaborate /kəˈlæbəreɪt/ B2	verb - to work jointly on an activity or project
assessment /əˈsesmənt/ B2	noun - the evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone

Key Grammar Structures

• I’m going to show you how this English test could transform your life.

  ➔ Future intention with 'be going to' and modal verb 'could' for possibility.

  ➔ The speaker uses "going to" to state her plan, while "could" suggests a potential outcome.

• IELTS has been widely regarded as one of the world’s most popular English language proficiency tests.

  ➔ Present Perfect Passive voice.

  ➔ The structure "has been regarded" emphasizes that the status of the test has continued from the past until now.

• IELTS is for anyone looking to live, work or study in an English-speaking country.

  ➔ Participle clause (Reduced relative clause) as an adjective modifier.

  ➔ "Looking" replaces "who is looking" to make the sentence more concise.

• You should always check entry requirements before choosing your test.

  ➔ Modal verb 'should' for recommendation and Gerund after preposition.

  ➔ "Should" indicates advice, and "choosing" is a gerund acting as the object of "before".

• You’ll be eligible for the IELTS One Skill Retake.

  ➔ Future Simple tense.

  ➔ "You'll be" (you will be) expresses a future state or result that occurs after meeting certain criteria.

• If you are thinking about taking IELTS Online, make sure the institution is happy to accept results.

  ➔ First Conditional structure (implied) and Verb phrase usage.

  ➔ The clause "If you are thinking" sets a condition, followed by an imperative sentence "make sure".

• There are cases where sections are automatically re-marked.

  ➔ Relative clause with 'where' referring to a noun.

  ➔ "Where" functions as a relative adverb here, defining the specific "cases".

• I want you to answer these questions.

  ➔ Verb + Object + to-infinitive.

  ➔ The structure "want someone to do something" is used to express a desire for others to perform an action.