This practical online course equips EFL teachers with the knowledge and strategies to teach all four IELTS exam papers more effectively. Study asynchronously at your own pace, supported by experienced IELTS tutors and a community of peers from around the world.
About this course
Teach your students to get the best grades in their IELTS Speaking, Listening, Writing and Reading exams. Each module is very practical, with video content, activities for you to practise, tips from examiners, interviews with students and teachers, and filmed teaching tips. There are over 30 activities and techniques on each module, a forum to share ideas with a group of peers, and guidance from your tutor and examiners.
You can take one, or all, of the How to Teach IELTS modules. If you choose to enrol on the full bundle of all four modules, you will study one four-week module at a time, then move on to the next after a week’s break.
Who is this course designed for?
This course is designed for experienced EFL/TEFL teachers who want to improve their skills in teaching IELTS. It is ideal if you would like to feel more confident and effective when preparing students for any of the four IELTS exam papers.
You do not need to be currently teaching an IELTS class to benefit from this course.
Entry requirements
You can take this course if you:
- have experience in TEFL teaching, but want to get better at teaching IELTS
- have a level of English of B2 or above
- can dedicate approximately 5 hours each week to studying
Please note that online applications close on the Wednesday before the course starts. However, we sometimes have late availability, so please get in touch with the admissions team at ihotti@ihworld.com and we will see if there are any last-minute spaces.
Course content
There are four modules on this course: Speaking, Listening, Writing and Reading. You can study just one module, or enrol for the full bundle of all four.
Each module covers:
- An introduction to the exam paper: structure, task types and grade descriptors
- Common student difficulties and typical errors
- Tasks and techniques to help students develop each particular skill
- Exam preparation strategies and test-taking skills
- A range of feedback methodologies
How is the course delivered?
The How to Teach IELTS modules are 100% online, part time, and asynchronous. You study from written course materials, videos and other resources, accessing them whenever it suits you. There is no requirement to be online at specific times.
Each week there is a discussion forum, collaborative tasks, and compulsory and optional activities. Week by week, you keep up with the materials and the activities of your group, supported by your tutor.
These modules are PRACTICAL and REFLECTIVE so you can try out techniques in your own classroom and discuss how successful they were with your peers.
Your online community
The weekly discussion forums and collaborative tasks are what our past graduates say is one of the most valuable parts of studying with us. You will have the opportunity to share ideas, discuss teaching techniques, and learn from peers based all over the world — all guided by an experienced IELTS tutor.
Duration and time commitment
Each module lasts 4 weeks. The full bundle of all four modules lasts approximately 20 weeks in total, with a new module starting the week after the last one has finished.
We advise you to spend about 5 hours each week for each 4-week module.
Assessment
There is no formal written assessment on this course. To receive your certificate, you need to complete the weekly tasks and engage with the discussion forums throughout the module.
Your verified digital certificate
On successful completion of each module (or the full bundle), you will receive a digital certificate. This is stored securely on a verified site, so everybody can be confident that it is authentic and real. It will look like this:

You can share this with a prospective employer, client, or anybody else that you choose. A digital certificate is more safe and secure for you than paper — it won’t get lost in the post, it won’t get damaged over time, and it is always available. You can share it in just one click, or print as many copies as you like. And it’s better for the environment.
Click here for a short video about verified digital certificates from our partner Accredible.
Prices
You can choose to study just a single module in IELTS Speaking, Listening, Writing or Reading. Each module lasts 4 weeks and costs £105, and is available at repeated times through the year so you can pick the best time to suit you.
Alternatively, you can enrol for a full bundle of all four modules at the discounted price of £385. In total this will last about 20 weeks, with a new module starting the week after the last has finished.
Please note — if you will be taking this course in the UK, or your employer is a UK-based company, there will be 20% VAT to pay on top of these prices.
Meet the IH OTTI Tutors
You’ll be in touch with Katja when booking your modules, then one of our other OTTI tutors will help and guide you through it. Meet our tutors here!
