One of the most traumatic experiences for many Chinese students is the “dreaded IELTS test”, more formally known as, the International English Language Testing System. Like a Mike Tyson of the exam world IELTS has bitten the ear off of many a candidate and caused many a sleepless night through fear and loathing.

Reason being IELTS today is an essential gateway for Chinese to pass through on their way to study abroad, apply for a scholarship or a job and as such, the pressure and stress placed upon students to perform well is immense. Going into the ring to do battle many do come out beaten and battered, shaking their head and feeling a little dizzy.

In most cases candidates, who tend to average around 17-24 years of age, have done the test before and are trying again because their first or second, or third or fourth or fifth attempt, wasn’t successful. All this can result in a lack of confidence which is natural because previous pain and suffering can affect your performance.

I was talking to one university student last week who told me that her friend collects the different color pencils from the IELTS test and has got quite a multi-colored set at present which is continuing to expand. Other candidates collect the erasers and after each failed test pile them atop their desk like a body count of fallen dreams.

I find that kind of story heart-breaking particularly when considering the cost involved because usually it is parents who are paying and the kids end up feeling guilty. After years of back-breaking, eyesight-sapping, energy-draining study in local junior and senior high schools, Chinese students are thus confronted with another hurdle that they must overcome in order to begin their life journey.

In China in 2008 the test cost about 1,450rmb and fortunately for IELTS candidates the British Council in conjunction with Clarity Language Consultants have put together the new “Road to IELTS” online system designed to help people understand and better train in the lead up to the test.

Such news will be music to the ears for many as it includes about 120 hours of learning materials in each of the four test components, (speaking, reading, writing and listening) for both Academic and General Training Modules.

All registered IELTS candidates can use the online training course free and it is being touted as a “self-access complement” to other forms of training. “Road to IELTS” will also give explanations of question types and provide useful tips on how to handle the tasks.

Because the training is online, "Road to IELTS" can be accessed any time and from anywhere and these days with greater connectivity particularly with regard to mobile devices and 3G, subway-riding bus-shuttling candidates can maximize practice time.

Of critical value is the mention that candidates can complete the listening tasks under the same timed conditions as they would in the actual exam. In addition with the Speaking section, sample videos walk the learner through each stage of the test providing models of good practice while giving opportunities to analyze different interview techniques.

This last point is of primary value and ideally will go a long way towards defusing built up conspiracy theories candidates may have generated about certain speaking examiners who they feel are biased towards sweet smelling maidens or suave Donny Yen lookalikes. It may also dispel another IELTS legend that examiners are tougher in the bigger cities so it’s better to fly out to Urumqi or Haikou so you have more of a chance.

So with the start of spring and trees now, or soon to be, in blossom some good news finally amidst all the bleak economic data and G20 pandemonium. This year actually marks the 20th anniversary of the IELTS with future projections expecting more growth and the opening of even more test centers.

Till then do your best and if you don’t succeed try, try, try again.

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