Plan your IELTS preparation in Winnipeg

How to Prepare for the IELTS in Winnipeg

The IELTS - or International English Language Tests - is a recognized assessment for English proficiency in English-speaking countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. People looking to work, study, or migrate to Canada take IELTS to demonstrate their proficiency in English to employers, higher education schools, and government agencies, including the visa and permanent residency-granting Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). As such, it is one of the most popular high stakes English tests in Canada.

Should you, a family member, or friend are looking to take the IELTS and happen to be in Winnipeg, you can feel confident knowing you are in one of the best places to prepare for it. Located in the heart of English speaking Canada, Winnipeg is filled with opportunities to practice English at every turn, and prospective test-takers will also find organizations and services focused on helping newcomers to prepare for the test. Winnipeg also happens to be one of Canada’s most beautiful cities, nestled within the Red and Assiniboine rivers with beautiful museums and parks. Farmers Markets, summer festivals, and attractions like the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and Winnipeg Art Museum offer plenty of activities for residents and visitors. The city also boasts a relatively low cost of living compared to other major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver, making it one of the best areas for students  to learn English.

Let’s take a closer look at the IELTS, and where you can prepare for your test in Winnipeg.

Types of IELTS Tests

IELTS has two different types of tests for students, workers, and migrants: Academic and General Training. Both tests are made up of four parts: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The content of each test will depend on which type of test you are taking.

IELTS Academic

Those who are looking to get into a university degree program or a professional organization in an English speaking environment can take the IELTS Academic. The IELTS Academic will determine your readiness for engaging in higher learning in an English speaking institution or working in professional areas like medicine or engineering, featuring vocabulary you might encounter in those settings.

IELTS General Training

The second type of test is known as the IELTS General Training. This test assesses your proficiency in practical, everyday situations, social situations, or in the workplace. It is often taken by migrants looking to move to Canada for work or school. The General Training test involves authentic texts like newspapers or manuals, and may involve letter or essay writing.

Not sure which test you should take? Check the requirements of your school’s program or visa. 

IELTS Test Format

The IELTS is divided into the areas of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 

The Listening component takes 30 minutes and includes recordings of native English speakers in conversation, and presenting a speech, lecture, or monologue. You will be asked to answer questions about the information shared in the audio as well as the attitudes and opinions of the speakers. 

The Reading component should take about 60 minutes long, and test takers will answer a variety of tasks that may include multiple choice, yes or no, sentence competition, summarizing, matching headings, or creating charts and diagrams. 

The Writing component of the test takes 60 minutes, during which the test taker will complete two tasks. The academic version will require you to describe visual information (ex. Chart, graph, table or diagram), and respond to an issue or contemporary topic in essay format. The general version will ask test takers to write a personal response to an issue, and respond to a point of view, argument, or a problem in an essay-style format.

The Speaking component of the test takes between 11-14 minutes, and is taken with an examiner. You will be asked to answer questions about general topics, abstract issues, and to speak on a particular topic.

Taking the IELTS Test in Winnipeg

In Winnipeg, test takers can enrol to take the Academic and General Training tests either online or on paper. Testing centres can be found at Canada College, Heartland International English School, Conestoga College, or the University of Manitoba. When you book your test, some sites will provide you with temporary access to preparatory materials.

How to Study for the Test

As you can imagine, it will require practice and study to be successful on the IELTS test. You will be investing hundreds of dollars to take the test, so you will want to show up for your test as ready as you can be. A good place to start will be to study free IELTS study materials, as well as tips, and practice tests posted online. There are many commercially produced IELTS resources available, which you may find helpful for your preparation. Schedule time in your evenings and weekends to practice, and always keep your long term goals in mind so you can stay motivated.

Of course, if you want help in preparing for the test, you will find no shortage of options in Winnipeg. Heartland International English School offers an IELTS preparation class, and thanks to the abundance of virtual schools online you can find open courses on sites like Udemy or international schools with online options.

Hire a Private Tutor

One popular IELTS test preparation option in Winnipeg is to hire a private tutor. A private IELTS tutor is highly familiar with the test, and can coach you through its most challenging parts. They know what the best study materials are, and can assess your practice test questions so you can identify your greatest areas of need. If there is only one area you want to focus on, like speaking or writing, a private IELTS tutor can tailor your sessions to reflect the kind of practice you need most.

Sites like Superprof offer lists of Winnipeg tutors near you that specialize in IELTS. They can meet you at a time or place that is most convenient for you, increase sessions as you approach your testing date, and give you valuable feedback on your practice answers. Check out Superprof to find your IELTS tutor today!