Step up to IELTS

An analysis of Step-Up to IELTS: Exam preparation material student book.



Introduction2

Discussion3

Student requirements3

Materials development in ELT, EFL and ESOL3

Why and how do we assess course books?4

A case study of EFL materials in the Step up to IELTS course book5

External review6

Context for use7

Internal evaluation9

An analysis of unit 29

Strengths of the Book12

Skills and Strategies for the IELTS exam12

Language structure12

Communicative competence13

Weaknesses of the Book13

Lack of coherence13

Cultural inappropriateness13

Meeting of language needs and not learning needs13

Lack of originality14

Conclusion14

References15

Bibliography17

An analysis of Step-Up to IELTS: Exam preparation material student book.

Introduction

The standard of education in the Western countries is so much advance. The world's top ranking universities also exist in these countries. Every year thousands of people are applying in these universities. It is not possible for every university to teach these students in their mother language. They had set English as the medium of instruction. For the foreign students, the proficiency of English is necessary. Today there are so many institutions which are preparing the foreign students, conduct the test and award certificate. The most common are the English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), English as an Additional Language (EAL), English Language Teaching (ELT) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Among all these certificates, the creditability and accessibility of IELTS is unique. IELTS is the joint property of Cambridge English Language Assessment, British Council and IDP Australia. There are some 900 test centres of IELTS in 130 countries. The test of IELTS consists of four sections namely speaking, listening, reading and writing. The score in each section is given in the bands from 1-9. In this analysis, we will focus on the Step up to IELTS in the UAE. The latest tends show, the band score of UAE students in the IELTS is highest among the middle eastern countries (Taylor, 2012).

Discussion

Student requirements

Students require an IELTS proficiency score for entry into universities that use English as a medium of tuition in many western countries, and for the UAE vocational college, they need a 5 band score during their core studies program to enable them to progress onto their Diploma course in the third term. They have 50 hours of tuition time built into their timetable: 5 lessons a week for 10 weeks. Materials development in ELT, EFL and ESOL

Commercially produced materials in the form of course books and CDs are easily available and used in many ELT, EFL and ESOL classrooms. Good materials inform students about the target language, guide them in practicing the language in its various forms, and allow them to test themselves. Teachers use the books and enclosed materials in different ways; some like them to provide everything, and use them as 'a crutch', It means the teachers are dependent on these books and materials (Reinders, 2013). Others do not want the book materials to control their teaching style and use them as 'a springboard' (McGrath, 2002:p.8). They discuss in the class and collectively work on problem exercises in the classes (Hussein ...