IELTS

The world's leading English language test for study, work and migration. Prepare with confidence at English Council.

IELTS at a Glance

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most widely accepted English proficiency test worldwide. It is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge English.

Whether you need Academic IELTS for university admission or General Training for migration and work, our preparation programmes give you the skills, strategies, and practice you need to achieve your target band score.

  • Accepted by 12,000+ organisations globally
  • Required for UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand & more
  • Two test types: Academic & General Training
Students preparing for IELTS

The Four Skills

The test evaluates your real-world English across Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

Listening

30 minutes • 4 recordings • 40 questions. Everyday conversations and academic monologues.

Includes accents from UK, Australia, New Zealand & North America

Reading

60 minutes • 3 passages • 40 questions. Academic texts or General Training materials (notices, ads, articles).

Academic or General Training versions available

Writing

60 minutes • 2 tasks. Task 1: describe visual data (Academic) or letter (General). Task 2: essay on a given topic.

Coherence, vocabulary and grammar are heavily weighted

Speaking

11–14 minutes • Face-to-face interview with a certified examiner. 3 parts: introduction, long turn, discussion.

Recorded for quality assurance

Band Scores Explained

You receive an overall band score from 0–9, plus individual scores for each skill. Most universities require 6.0–7.0 overall; migration often needs 6.0–8.0 depending on the visa category.

Our IELTS Preparation Course

Our targeted IELTS Preparation programme (Intermediate+) focuses on authentic exam practice, time management, and band-score improvement strategies.

  • ✓ 6–8 week intensive or part-time options
  • ✓ Weekly full mock tests with detailed feedback
  • ✓ Skill-specific workshops (Writing & Speaking focus)
  • ✓ Small classes (max 12 students)
  • ✓ Access to online practice platform
View IELTS Prep Course

What Makes Our Prep Different

Experienced IELTS examiners and trained tutors
Personalised study plans based on diagnostic test
Focus on common Sri Lankan learner challenges
Regular progress tracking and 1:1 feedback sessions
Free resources: Download our IELTS band descriptors guide and sample answers when you attend a free assessment.

Ready to Achieve Your Target Band?

Book a free level assessment and receive a personalised study plan.

See our 5 Tips for IELTS Success on the blog.