Let’s be honest. The first question after you make the decision to take the IELTS is not “how hard can it be? Where’s anyone who knows what they’re doing? If you’re in Delhi, you are lucky — because there are lots of coaching options in Delhi. Now the question is what is the best one for you when there is no in-person class.
This guide discusses every aspect that you need to know about the IELTS coaching classes in Delhi that you can find online — from what is IELTS all about to what makes a good coaching class a great one.
What is IELTS and why is it important?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an exam offered jointly by the British Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It assesses English language skills in all four modes: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
Scores are on a 9 band scale. A band score is awarded for each section and an overall score is given as the average of the four band scores. There is no passing or failing, each institution/organisation has a minimum requirement. The minimum requirement for most universities in other countries is 6.0 to 7.0 bands with competitive programmes in other countries demanding 7.0 and above.
There are two types of IELTS. IELTS Academic is for those who are applying for university in other countries. IELTS General Training is for people planning to migrate, work permit or settle overseas. Both the Listening and Speaking sections are exactly the same, while Reading and Writing are different. It is important to understand what format you are looking for before you sign up for a coaching class – if you train for a marathon and come to a sprint class, you are sure to get it wrong.
More than 12,500 employers, immigration authorities, universities and professional bodies accept the exam. This is why so many students, working professionals and people aiming for job transfers to the UK and elsewhere take the IELTS exam in Delhi every year.
Delhi has become the center of online IELTS coaching for several reasons.There are numerous reasons why Online IELTS Coaching is becoming popular in Delhi
There are lots of offline coaching centres available in Delhi. However, in recent years, online IELTS courses have become much more popular than ever before – for both convenience and reason.
Flexibility is the most apparent benefit. Being able to study at your own speed and at your own time – online coaching can actually help you out if you have a job that is 9 to 5 or family obligations. You save your time from commuting to work — it is not a small time for anyone who has been in the Delhi roads.
Another factor is cost. Online coaching is generally more affordable than offline coaching, as there is no need for physical facilities and equipment. You also never have to pay for travel expenses. Classroom IELTS courses typically cost between Rs 10,000 to 20,000 for a basic 1-2 month course, and online classes may be at the lower end of the range or even lower than that.
In addition to cost, online platforms usually have recorded lectures so you can watch a lecture again if it had a faulty message the first time. This is a thing which a traditional classroom can’t provide. Many quality online coaching services now offer doubt-clearing sessions, performance analysis reports, personalised feedback and more.
However, there are times that online coaching will need self-discipline. No one will physically appear and require you to log in. Take into account your needs for a classroom environment, if known, to stay on track.
While choosing the best IELTS Online Classes in Delhi, there are a few factors to consider.There are several things to look for in the best IELTS Online Classes in Delhi
Not all online classes are equal. Let’s look at the real deal when you’re considering the options.
Expertise and experience of teaching staff. Search for trainers that are qualified by the British Council or Cambridge. It is not a skill to teach IELTS, it’s a skill that requires to be taught. It’s important to have experience with students at various proficiency levels.
Extensive coverage of all four modules. Students in some classes learn a lot more in Reading and Listening classes, and are not given much attention in Speaking. In computer based tests, the Speaking section is marked by a Human Examiner. It requires some learning in a structured manner with useful feedback from a competent trainer rather than just some quick tips.
Practice tests and assessment of performance. The most successful preparation is to practice under real exam conditions. Search for courses with complete-length mock tests and score breakdown. It’s better to have an average of 6.0 than to know you lost points in Writing Task 2.
Using small batches or one on one. Feedback to individual children may be reduced in larger group sessions. Check if personalised attention is important for you – ask about small groups or 1-on-1 sessions.
Official study materials. Quality institutes employ Cambridge IELTS books and preparation materials published by the Cambridge authorities. These are the closest to the actual exam that you will get. Beware of courses that are entirely self-developed or unverified content.
Flexibility and batch options. The right institute should not be an institute that conflicts with your schedule; it should be weekday classes, weekend batches, or crash courses. A three month candidate is going to have to have a different course than a four week candidate.
Top IELTS Coaching Institutions in Delhi
There are a number of good institutes in Delhi that have online classes. Let’s take a realistic view about what some of them can offer.
One name that is known around the world in IELTS preparation is the name of British Council, which is a co-owner of IELTS. Their Listening and Reading courses in Delhi are about 30 hours long and Writing and Speaking are about 12 hours long. They use the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level to determine course placement and provide courses at both weekday and weekend hours. It can’t be beat, in terms of credibility and material quality.
Fateh Education has been established since 2004 and is a certified Gold Partner of Cambridge University Press who is the creator of IELTS. They have supported more than 14,000 students to achieve above 6.5 bands in their first attempt and in 2010 won an Award of Excellence from the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. These online courses feature live lectures, recorded lecture series, access to the Cambridge Learning Management System (CLMS), 400 skill-building activities, and four full-length mock tests. They have qualified trainers from both British Council and Cambridge.
The successful students of Manya – The Princeton Review have an average band score of 8+ with multiple campuses spread around Delhi. They are flexible because they have a mixture of on- and off-line learning, so if a week or two of online learning turns you off, you can switch to off-line.
Jamboree Education is a reputable education provider for students who are preparing for their studies abroad and has accelerated learning courses for students who have a shorter time frame.
Verbalhub Education is an institute based in Delhi, offering certified trainers, phased learning and lifetime validity on access to courses. They have more than 700 practice questions for all four modules of the IELTS.
At Simpli English, West Patel Nagar, you can join three 1-hour online sessions each week on Zoom or Skype and work on your own skills. They have 88% first attempt success rate.
The fee for IELTS Coaching in Delhi is not set in stone.There is no fixed fee for IELTS Coaching in Delhi
The cost of the course can be different in various institutes depending on various factors like course duration, batch size, online or offline and many more.
If you are taking a regular group course in Delhi, you can look forward to paying approximately ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per month at reputed institutes. Short and affordable, crash courses are offered for two to four weeks, with prices around the ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 mark. The online courses will typically fall within the lower range of these scales, as there are fewer overhead expenses for institutes to shoulder.
One on One sessions are more expensive but provide individualized attention. Personalised sessions are a better use of your time than taking the same class again if you have a special need, such as need to study a module like Writing Task 2 over and over or you’re running out of time.
Be sure to review what is contained within. A course that’s quoted as expensive is available with Cambridge study materials, full-length mock tests and a re-evaluation session may be a better value than one that’s cheaper and doesn’t include any of these.
Here are some tips for making the most of your IELTS online classes
The first step of becoming a good coach is to be a member of a good coaching class. Outside of class hours is as important.
Consistency beats intensity. On-the-job learning is more effective than a 7 hour review session once a week. Language skills develop in a staggered manner.
Do all four modules (Speaking). Many students underestimate the importance of Speaking and see it as awkward practice time to practice alone. Record and critically listen to yourself as you answer sample questions. It is not comfortable — that is what makes it work.
Practice with official Cambridge IELTS books. These are retired real exam questions and the most accurate preparing material available. Solve them in timed situations.
Read extensively in English – news, essays, opinion pieces. The Reading section is designed to encourage test-takers who can easily read complex texts quickly. Skimming and scanning are reading skills and they develop through frequent reading.
Last but not least, do your practice tests seriously. Avoid taking a practice test and looking at the result and proceeding with life. Look at all of those incorrect responses and make sure you know why they were wrong and then practice that kind of question on the next practice.
The Bottom Line
The key to finding the best IELTS online classes in Delhi is the clarity of your needs and the institute’s offerings. The basis of a good course is strong faculty, authenticity of mock programmes, official study materials and flexible timetables.