On a certain invigorating afternoon, I found myself shooting the breeze with two of my dear and near chums over a cup of coffee. My prattling with them provided me with a rad and nifty insight. I should pick-up pieces of my tittle-tattle.
Both my friends were sharing their experiences with me on their recently concluded International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.
I found one of the buddies over the moon with the ease and peace, experienced within the test whilst the other being utterly perturbed with the edginess and unease, encountered during the test.
I had a heavy heart for the latter over his misstep and remissness that settled him with a sense of failure at a test. My long chinwag over the IELTS – a demanding and most sought-after English Language testing exam aroused my curiosity about this celebrated test.
I eventually visited the office of Sudesh Kolonne and Nadeesha Harshani, the chairman and the director respectively of the Regent Language School, Negombo, a language school operated with the accreditation of the British Council. Nadeesha, fondly known among her umbrella of friends as “Nadee” and Sudesh are not alien to the IELTS exam, ever since they set up Regent Language School in Negombo, some 15 years ago.
Grammar
Nadee and Sudesh facilitate lessons for IELTS to students at Regent language school. As Nadee says the fundamental issue that most of the students who seek lessons for IELTS is the fact that their level of English is not up to the required standard; the majority predominantly struggles with grammar while simultaneously having worries on the aspect of not being able to have a recollection on the grammar lessons, taught in classroom circumstances.
Delving further into the matter in hand, they note that due to some deeply rooted misconceptions about the test, some students are of the view that the test can even be slightly intimidating.
However, as they clearly clarify and resolve, the sense of intimidation has never been there with a candidate who is well focused, attentive and hard work during the run up to the actual test. “You get scared of an area where you have no knowledge and practice. But, once you get familiar and delivered with the required knowledge and practice, your eerie and spooky falsity fuelled by some parties begin to wane and dissipate,” Nadee said.
“Any exam makes a person panic and moderately stressed. Unless you are well guided during the run up to the test, you too would end up being panicked and stressed. However, proper guidance, given by a well-qualified and experienced teacher would often make you able and stable at your test,” Sudesh opines.
IELTS has entered the itinerary of some people and statistics indicate that, around the world, annually over three million of IELTS test takers are reported.
Sitting for exams has never been a strange phenomenon and under some specific circumstances, getting through exams becomes a sine-qua-non element that navigates the future endeavours of the parties concerned unto the path leading towards the greener pastures.
As exams are part and parcel of life, crumbling and stumbling at exams are not the traits of diligent and daring students whose tenacity and resolutions are landed on the utter and immense need of getting through the exam with flying colours.
Grapple and scuffle may even be the struggle encountered by some candidates during the test; time constraints stand as a challenge if they are not dealt with long hours of practice, well counselled and administered lessons.
Time management
Designing a well-thought-out study plan is the core that can conquer the challenge in time management which is an indispensable ingredient in IELTS. “Breaking down and scrutinising the study sessions into doable and feasible cohorts while having emphasis on every test selection can be the most applicable solution that could mitigate the gravity of having almost near symptoms of exam frenzy and trepidation,” Nadee declares.
Albeit you are well conversant with the English language and familiar with the test format and the grading process, never rest on your laurels. Recalling your memory on the relevant lessons with a constantly done revision is of paramount importance for the candidate; despite revisions, as some students say being marginally slothful and indolent, you can plainly augment your exam success with the help of a sensibly done revision that can cover novel related grounds.
You may have come across some students who would still repent on the writer’s block, experienced during their actual exam: a sense of such remorse would not be in the horizon, provided that reading is made a habit until you take up with the test.
Speaking test
Another hitch that baffles some students is their fear of interaction with the examiner at the speaking test; developing confidence along with multiple practice sessions would drive away the self-imposed awe and angst built up on the speaking test.
“With the IELTS exam, the intent and the object of the candidates are distinctly elucidated and that offers an immense degree of motivation for the prospective candidates to further their studies on daily basis and we facilitate a conducive environment for would be IELTS test takers at Regent language school,” Nadee and Sudesh reassured.
