Is it good to join IELTS classes just to improve English?

Most of the international students tend to consider English as their weaker point. They majorly grow up learning a different language as their first language, keeping English as their second language. But as time passes, they realize that learning fluent English is the need of the hour. Therefore, since school days we often notice students enrolling in Spoken English classes, coaching classes, keeping private tutors just to advance their knowledge of English. Apart from the mentioned methods, many students consider taking IELTS coaching as a process of learning English. Now, should you join an IELTS class just to improve your English skills?

The IELTS is a renowned English proficiency test examining the performance of international students aspiring to study or work abroad. The exam has a different agenda altogether running it - examining if the student is a fit to study or work abroad. The requirements of the IELTS syllabus are pretty much different from a regular Spoken English or coaching center. It contains questions that comprise bars, graphs, tables, diagrams, and students need to comprehend them to write an essay of 150 words. It also tests the listening skills through recordings of university lectures and more. When it comes to learning English to improve the skill, students are more focused on learning the fundamentals like grammar, sentence construction, developing speaking fluency, and more. Undoubtedly the IELTS exam tests everything of this sort, but the purpose of the exam is to evaluate if the candidate is suitable enough to reside in an English-speaking nation.

Coming to the IELTS coaching centers and how they are different from general English coachings. The main aim of the IELTS coaching centers is to guide the IELTS aspirants to reach their target score. They provide ample IELTS practice papers, answer keys, explanations, which are considered the most significant preparation material. They guide through tailor-made problem-solving classes that enable the students to attain knowledge about the IELTS exam pattern thoroughly. The experts at IELTS training institutes are not supposed to teach you the methods to improve English but the tips, tricks, strategies to prepare for the IELTS exam.

The main difference between learning English from an IELTS coaching and general coaching is the IELTS exam pattern. It is targeted towards testing the different skills of the candidates planning to study abroad. It is designed in a way that is based on an academic setting (for IELTS Academic) or workplace (for IELTS General). For a student who is enrolling to learn about the English language is not suitable there. For instance, the IELTS writing task 2 comprises a prompt based on which you have to write a 250 words essay within 40 minutes. Now, the topics have a wide range covering arts, business, education, science, general knowledge, and more. A student who is learning the fundamentals of English will find it complex enough to not be able to answer it.

To improve your English base follow the below preparation tips:

• Spend time watching English movies of your favorite kind
• Check out the subtitles
• Slowly proceed by switching off the subtitles
• Read, read, and read
• Try practicing with your friends and family before whom you will be scared
• Don’t try to adopt the British or American accent as that is their first language
• Keep practicing, no matter how hard it is, don’t shy away
• If you are a sports addict then start watching the English sports commentaries. That will not only be preachy but also enjoyable

With the advancement of social media, we get to interact with different kinds of people residing across the globe. This turns out to be a very helpful means of communication in English. You not only cherish the conversation but also improve your English skills simultaneously. To advance your communication, try downloading spoken English apps that let you interact with native speakers. Apps like Duolingo, Babble, Hello English, Drops are a few of the spoken English learning apps out there.

The IELTS classes will only focus on increasing your IELTS band score to ensure admission to a top university, or get you through the immigration requirements. The IELTS experts focus on teaching an amalgamation of skills including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It is advisable that you take phonetic classes to learn pronunciations that are not focused on in IELTS classes.

Instagram can have a huge impact on your English improvement. Avoid using short forms like ‘k’ instead of ‘okay’, or ‘f9’ instead of ‘fine, and more. This will become a habit that might be difficult for you to get rid of later on.