Prepare for the IELTS exam
Octorial™
Key Points
Students train to gain experience and acquire the skills necessary to achieve their desired score in the IELTS exam. Teachers challenge students to achieve to the maximum of their potential, and set milestones and goals for each student, with constant evaluation. This sets the pace for each learner to surpass their academic expectations.
You can view the 2024 IELTS exam dates here. Students need to book a 4 week course or longer prior to the date of the exam. Further dates are available on demand.
Students sit rehearsal tests under exam conditions. These are repeated as required to build confidence and familiarity with the exam.
Small class sizes also allow for close tutor attention which provides students with confidence and familiarity in the exam format.
All students who successfully complete this course are eligible for a course certificate. Completion consists of submitting the final course assignment.
Homework tasks are set daily to allow learners to reflect on and consolidate what they have learned in the day, as well as prepare for the next day.
Objectives of the stay
In-depth preparation and multiple rehearsals for the IELTS exam.
IELTS exam preparation
The tutor coaches the learner in the content of the exam and guides them with strategies for understanding and navigating the test questions.
Assignments are set for homework and during lesson time there is repeated work on essay writing, vocabulary, comprehension and speaking practice.
You can view the 2025 IELTS exam dates here
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Course Content
Note Taking Skills
- Practice in taking notes and using notes to summarise listenings.
Skimming and scanning skills
- Search for a main topic, topic sentences, supporting details and concluding thoughts.
- Scanning for pertinent data such as names, dates, numbers etc.
Summarising and paraphrasing
- The student writes 3 or 4 sentence summaries of a short passage.
- The student must paraphrase a set of sentences in their own words.
- The student practises identifying information and data from charts and graphs.
Mind mapping
- The use of the mind map to plan a piece of writing.
- Use of mind maps to plan the introduction to an essay.
- Developing the body of the essay.
- Understanding the importance of the controlling idea.
Polishing skills for the writing task and the speaking tasks
- Essay writing skills - checklist.
- Speaking test - final practice.
Expected outcomes
By the end of this course, the student is expected to be able to:
- Take notes on a piece of listening.
- Summarise and paraphrase an unfamiliar passage of text.
- Plan, structure and write an essay of 500 words.
- Report verbally and in writing the data/information shown in diagrams and graphs.
- Speak in an interview situation for 5 minutes.
Students stay in single study bedrooms, each with a private bathroom.
The school is equipped with fire and burglar alarms as well as CCTV. At 22:00, the main gate is locked, and the main entrance of the residence and the corridors are alarmed, to prevent students from entering other student’s corridors at night. Students will each have their own key card which lets them enter the residence building and only their own room. There is a safe in the school office in which students can keep any valuables they wish.
All meals are prepared daily using quality, fresh ingredients from local suppliers to deliver a well balanced and varied menu of dishes. Meat, fresh fruit and vegetables are delivered daily to ensure quality and freshness. Fruit is always available as well as milk, hot drinks for the morning and afternoon break. In the evenings we also have fruit, milk, hot drinks plus biscuits and other snacks available. The chef and catering team are trained to cater for all dietary needs and requirements, including food allergies and religious food restrictions.
Transfer
Arrival/departure transfers
On arrival days, a shuttle is scheduled to leave for the school at the following times:
• Gatwick airport: 18.00; • Heathrow airport: 18.00; • St. Pancras: 18.00
Students should choose a flight/ train that lands / arrives 90 minutes before the shuttle departure. They should also be aware that the earlier they arrive the longer their wait at the airport/station. A representative will be at the airport or station 6 hours before the departure of the shuttle to welcome the students and provide assistance.
On departure days, a shuttle will drop the students at the following time:
• Gatwick airport: 11.30; • Heathrow airport: 11.30; • St. Pancras: 11.30
Students should choose a flight or train that departs at least 2 hours after the above drop off times. They should also be aware that the later the flight the longer the wait. A representative will stay at the airport or the station 5 hours after the arrival of the shuttle to provide assistance while waiting to go through the departures gate.
For arrival transfer outside of the times of the Shuttle Service:
For any students who require a transfer service at a time or on a date other than those served by the OISE Shuttle service, OISE will provide contact details of a local taxi service so that the student can arrange a personal taxi meeting service directly with the taxi provider.
Cultural Experience
The course includes extra-curricular activities such as field trips, social evenings, movie nights and hobby clubs.
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Price Includes
The price includes the hours of tuition per week, full-board accommodation and a cultural programme.
Not included: the student escort service to the exam centre and the cost of the exam.
