Manisha's Path to IELTS Success

An achievable 5-month roadmap to go from Elementary level to a 6.5-7.0 band score. You can do this, Manisha!

A Little Motivation for Today

"Loading an inspiring thought..."

Guiding Principles for Success

Consistency Over Intensity

1-2 hours of focused study every day is more effective than cramming on weekends.

Build the Core First

Master general English fundamentals before diving into IELTS-specific strategies.

Active Learning

Don't just watch. Actively take notes, repeat sentences, write, and use new vocabulary.

Feedback is Crucial

Find a teacher or proficient speaker to review your writing and speaking.

The 5-Month Roadmap

Months 1 & 2

Phase 1: Building the Foundation (A2 to B1)

Forget IELTS for now. The goal is to build a solid general English core. Focus on mastering the fundamentals.

Grammar (30 mins): Master tenses, parts of speech, sentence structure. Use "Essential Grammar in Use".

Vocabulary (30 mins): Learn 10-15 common words daily. Use flashcards and a notebook.

Integrated Skills (30-60 mins): Read graded readers, listen to learner podcasts (BBC 6 Min English), keep a simple journal, and read aloud.

Month 3

Phase 2: Transition & IELTS Introduction (B1 to B2)

Move to upper-intermediate topics and get familiar with the IELTS exam format without the pressure of time.

Grammar & Vocab (45 mins): Use "English Grammar in Use" (blue book). Learn topic-specific vocabulary (environment, tech, etc.).

IELTS Skills (75 mins):

  • Reading: Read articles from BBC News. Look at IELTS question types.
  • Listening: Listen to TED Talks. Understand the 4 listening sections.
  • Writing: Learn Task 1 chart language & Task 2 essay structure.
  • Speaking: Practice Part 1 questions. Focus on extending your answers.

Month 4

Phase 3: Focused IELTS Practice

Master IELTS techniques and strategies. All practice should now be exam-focused and timed.

Core Resource: Use the official Cambridge IELTS books for practice tests.

Timed Practice:

  • Day 1: Full, timed Reading or Listening test. Spend an equal amount of time analyzing every single mistake.
  • Day 2: Full, timed Writing test (Task 1 & 2). Review with model answers. Practice a full Speaking test by recording yourself.

Strategy: Watch videos from reliable sources like IELTS Liz or E2 IELTS to learn specific strategies for each question type.

Month 5

Phase 4: Refinement & Mock Tests

Build stamina, fix your remaining weak areas, and peak at the right time for the exam.

Weekly Full Mock Tests: Do one full mock test (Listening, Reading, Writing) in one sitting each week to build mental stamina.

Analyze & Improve: Use mock test results to identify your weakest areas. Spend the next few days drilling that specific area or question type.

Final Review: In the last week, focus on reviewing vocabulary and grammar notes. Relax and build confidence. No cramming!

Key Resources

Grammar

  • Essential Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy (Red book - Elementary)
  • English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy (Blue book - Intermediate)

Practice Tests

  • Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS (For strategies and practice)
  • Cambridge IELTS Practice Tests books (Latest volumes are best for authentic tests)

Websites & YouTube

  • IELTS Liz (Website and YouTube for reliable strategies)
  • E2 IELTS (YouTube for methods and mock tests)
  • BBC Learning English (For general listening and vocabulary)

Reading Materials

  • Graded Readers (Oxford Bookworms, etc.)
  • News in Levels (For beginners)
  • BBC News, National Geographic (For intermediate+)

Listening Materials

  • BBC 6 Minute English (Podcast)
  • Espresso English (Podcast)
  • TED Talks (For advanced listening)

Helpful Apps

  • Anki / Quizlet (For vocabulary flashcards)
  • Elsa Speak (For pronunciation practice)