It is difficult to prepare for IELTS when you work in Australia. At end of work, on way home, cook dinner. With all the other tasks to attend to while still sitting, studying can be the last thing you want to do. You don't have to spend hours each day in books to get ready for IELTS. The key is to have a study plan that works for you, a study plan that accommodates your schedule.
A common error made by working professionals is to design their IELTS programe on paper only to find that it does not work out in practice. Studying for two hours each morning seems productive until after one week you are all used up! Instead take a look at your week. Determine when you really have time and energy to study. Your job shouldn't be your IELTS preparation, it should be your IELTS preparation that helps your job.
Identify and work on your weaker parts
You do not need to divide your study time between the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). The amount of time spent in each should be based on areas of strength and areas of weakness. If Listening & Reading are well-developed and you need more time to focus on Writing, then it may not be the best idea to devote time to all four abilities. With a focused plan you can invest your energy in what is truly holding you back from reaching your desired band.
Make Moments Count!
Not all study sessions have to take place at a desk. Listen to English podcasts, conversations or IELTS Listening practice on your journey to work if you take transport to work. Vocabulary can be practiced or reviewed and Mental Practices for Speaking can be used to practice the answers to Speaking questions. These mini activities can only take 15/20 minutes. Exposing yourself to English regularly will accumulate over time.
Make speaking a habit of the day!
You already use English daily with your colleagues, customers, classmates or friends in Australia, so you might be already using the language every day. Everyday conversation vs IELTS Speaking. The test involves answering questions, articulating ideas and verbally communicating effectively in a time constrained environment. Speaking regularly with an IELTS focus will help you to plan your ideas, reduce hesitation and build confidence in your ability to speak fluently.
Make the most of your weekends!
You don't have to make your weekend a IELTS marathon! Rather, use a couple of hours to work on something more complex such as a mock test recalling your errors, practicing a weak skill or planning goals for the coming week. Knowing the why of something is at least as important as knowing the answers to practice questions. The objective is not to be studying all day, but to be making the study time that you have productive.
Allow Your Plan to Evolve.
Your study plan should not be static and remain unchanged throughout the year. As you get better, you will require different things. Possibly Writing is your pain in the head for the first couple of weeks before it gets better and you find that now Reading needs more of your attention. A flexible plan allows you to adjust your focus, moving on to other areas of learning, based on your progress and not get stuck on things you've already conquered.
Set goals that you can achieve and stick to!
Working professionals have hectic schedules and tend to put pressure on themselves with daily goals. Three hours of studying a night may seem like a lot until you are so far behind you don't even bother anymore. Rather, set goals that you can achieve. 1 hour is worth more than three distracted hours. If you are studying for the IELTS exam while you are also working, it is important to stick to it.
Purpose and benefits of personalized coaching. The role and value of personalized coaching.
When you are preparing for the IELTS test, it is easier if the class is personalized than if it is not you're not working on your own to figure everything out. An instructor can identify your strengths and weaknesses, evaluate your level and help you determine your target band and develop a study plan that will work for your schedule. Plan can vary as performance changes. This will keep you focused on a routine that is not appropriate for you.
At Online Class Nepal, we know that all working professionals in Australia have schedules, responsibilities and IELTS goals. Personalized one-to-one online IELTS classes are geared around the learner, rather than a typical classroom setting.
The study plan is made by our instructors according to your level, target band, strengths and weaknesses and your time available. Students receive guidance, flexible class times, individual feedback, Speaking and Writing practice mock-test preparation, learning materials and support throughout. You can prepare anywhere in Australia since classes are online and do not need to waste time travelling to a coaching center.
Make your studies more productive.
While it is true that you need to get ready for IELTS after 9 to 5, you don't necessarily have to give up any evening or weekend. The vital thing is what you do with your time. Trying to learn it all, you should concentrate on the skills that are the most difficult and create a practice that you can sustain.
Final Thoughts
It's not always easy to have a full-time job and prepare for the IELTS. It doesn't have to be an impossible task. There's no need to sacrifice your career, personal relationships or free time to reach your desired band.
The best study plan for an IELTS working professional is not one that has study hours. It's the one that suits your life, has a focus of what you really need and takes you moving forward with consistency.
Online IELTS coaching from Online Class Nepal means you're preparing as per your time, your progress and your goals. If you make your study plan fit your life, it is easier to make your way towards your IELTS goal.