Trouble with IELTS Listening? Here’s All You Need to Know

Are you attempting to improve your IELTS Listening band score? Discovering how to get a good IELTS Listening score necessitates paying attention to the IELTS Listening band descriptors to “level up.” Moving up a total band score, after all, may require significant improvements in your English skills. Unfortunately, there is no publicly available IELTS Listening rubric (we wish! ), but reviewing the IELTS band descriptors and carefully evaluating where you are now will help you determine which improvements you need to make.

Examine IELTS Band Descriptors

If you haven’t seen them before (or even if you have!), you’re probably dying to know what those descriptors are. So, no more waiting! These are the general band descriptors for IELTS. When combined with your IELTS Reading, Speaking, and Writing scores, your IELTS Listening score will place you in one of these more general bands.

Band Score Skill Level Description
Band 9 Expert user   You have a complete command of the language. Your English is appropriate, accurate, and fluent, and you demonstrate complete comprehension.
Band 8 Very good user You have a fully functional command of the language, with only a few unsystematic inaccuracies and improper usage. In unfamiliar situations, you may misinterpret some things. You have a strong command of complex, detailed argumentation.
Band 7 Good user You have a functional command of the language, albeit with some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings in certain situations. In general, you are adept at dealing with complex language and comprehending detailed reasoning.
Band 6 Competent user   Despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings, you have an effective command of the language in general. In familiar situations, you can use and understand fairly complex language.
Band 5 Modest user   You have a simplistic command of the language and can deal with overall meaning in most situations, though you are prone to making mistakes. In your field, you should be able to handle basic communications.
Band 4 Limited user   Your basic competence is limited to situations that you are familiar with. You frequently exhibit difficulties with comprehension and expression. You are unable to use complex language.
Band 3 Extremely limited user In very familiar situations, you only convey and understand the general meaning. Communication breakdowns occur frequently.
Band 2 Intermittent user You have a hard time understanding both spoken and written English.
Band 1 Non-user Except for a few single words, you cannot use the language.
Band 0 Did not attempt the test You did not respond to the questions.

  • How to Get a Good IELTS Listening Score: Eliminate Common Errors

So, now that you know what each IELTS band represents, how can you improve your Listening score to raise your overall band score? This is how you can do it!

First and foremost, eliminate common errors. Next, check to see if you’re getting the “low-hanging fruit” (which, by the way, is an excellent idiom for your collection!). What exactly does this mean? It means making sure that you do not miss any questions on the more accessible parts of the test, Parts 1 and 2. When students miss questions in this section, it’s because they’re making simple mistakes. Finally, examine your strategy for the IELTS Listening test. Does it assist you in avoiding these blunders?

If not, here’s what you should remember: The IELTS Listening test necessitates intense concentration. You only hear a passage once, which is why taking practice exams is so important: in language classes, teachers frequently play a recording more than once. That’s not going to happen here. That means that as a test taker, you should spend the majority of your time listening. As a result, there isn’t much time to jot down your responses as you listen. The recording is still going on! Another way this should shape your test-day behavior is to force you to move on to the next set of questions as soon as you finish the previous section.

 How to Get a Good IELTS Listening Score: Don’t Get Lost During Recordings

Keep in mind that each question set has a unique set of instructions. The word count for the various short answer questions will vary, so be aware of this and keep your ears open for what they are. This is an excellent reason to become well-versed in each question type! You don’t want to miss out on easy questions because you weren’t sure how to respond to a specific kind of question. If this occurs, you will waste time attempting to decipher what the question means when you could have used that time to analyze the prompts before listening.

This is yet another skill that develops with time and practice. Even if you don’t have time for full-length IELTS practice tests (make time!), you can still benefit from them. It’s worth it! ), make sure you’re practicing with full-length IELTS Listening sections to get a feel for these transitions. Due to the changes, many students suffer significant losses in their IELTS Listening band scores. Make it a habit to circle or underline the word/number count limits for each set of short answer questions as you practice, especially on test day. Transferring answers from your question booklet to your answer sheet will serve as a reminder to double-check word/number limits.

 How to Get a Good IELTS Listening Score: Improve Your Vocabulary

Lack of knowledge about a particular academic topic can be a considerable obstacle. However, it is not a working knowledge of that subject that is required; instead, it is the vocabulary associated with the topic. Increase your vocabulary! IELTS Listening, like all other IELTS sections, rewards an extensive vocabulary. What is the advantage of knowing this? Enhance yours! Keep a vocabulary journal and learn 10-15 new words every day.

 How to Get a Good IELTS Listening Score: Regularly listen to English

It is also necessary to develop an academic mindset. Regularly attend academic discussions and lectures. Try to get some bonus points in Parts 3 and 4 of the exam. There are a few shortcuts to improve in these sections, but that doesn’t mean you can’t raise your Listening band score! It simply means that you will need to enhance your understanding of academic and challenging subject matter. The best way to accomplish this is to listen to similar content regularly. This type of content can be found in a few places like CBC (Canada), which can be excellent for the IELTS training journey. 

Listening Techniques for IELTS Practice

  • Every day, try to listen to 15-20 minutes of content.
  • Aim for variety: don’t limit yourself to topics that pique your interest.
  • Most programs/talk shows have written material related to the stories being discussed on their websites. Use that information to better understand the discussion. If you’re having trouble understanding the speakers, read the content before you listen to get some context.

  • How to Get a Good IELTS Listening Score: A Final Word

Improving your language skills can take time. Here are the most important steps to increasing your IELTS Listening score and meeting the IELTS Listening band descriptors for your convenience.

  • Eliminate basic errors, particularly in the easier parts of the test (parts 1 and 2)
  • Don’t get lost while recording.
  • Expand your vocabulary.
  • Regularly (and attentively!) listen to academic discussions and lectures.

By incorporating those steps into your regular practice, you will give yourself the best chance of improving your IELTS Listening score.

Do you want to improve your IELTS score in other areas? Keep an eye on the best IELTS coaching in Surrey. Best wishes to your IELTS journey!

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