IELTS Tutoring, Academic or General
One-to-one preparation for IELTS Academic or General Training. Listening, reading, writing, and speaking, with band scores from 1 to 9. This is an English test, not Grade 12 English.
No obligation. Meet the tutor before committing.
5.0on Google
Melvin
★★★★★
“Mahgol has been incredibly helpful with my academic writing and essay skills. She helped me understand how to structure my ideas clearly, develop stronger arguments and improve the flow and coherence of my writing. Her feedback is detailed and easy to understand, and she always explains not only what needs to be improved but why. I’ve become much more confident with planning and writing essays and have a much better understanding of what makes an effective academic response.”
What you need to know about IELTS
What the test is, and how the lessons follow it.
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. The British Council, IDP, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment run it. It is an English language test. It is not a school subject, and it is not Grade 12 English.
There are two tests. IELTS Academic is for degree-level study and many professional registrations. IELTS General Training is for migration, work, and study below degree level. Check which one the university, employer, or visa authority accepts.
Both tests cover listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and take about 2 hours 45 minutes. Results are band scores from 1 to 9, in half-band steps. You can sit the test on paper or on a computer. IELTS Online is for Academic only.
Lessons are one-to-one. Tell us which test you are taking, your target band, and the test date if you have one. We prepare you for the test. We do not book it. PTE Academic is a different test.
What we offer
IELTS Academic or General Training, named before the first lesson
Listening, reading, writing, and speaking
Band scores from 1 to 9, in half-band steps
Paper, computer, or IELTS Online for Academic
Not a school subject, and not Grade 12 English
Preparing for IELTS?
IELTS has two tests, Academic and General Training. It is not a school subject, and it is not Grade 12 English. Tell us which test you are taking.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Preparing for Academic when the visa or employer wants General Training, or the other way round.
We ask which test is required, and the lessons follow that test. Reading and writing are not interchangeable.
Treating IELTS like a school English essay or a Grade 12 exam.
Tasks, timing, and scoring follow the IELTS format, not a school syllabus.
Leaving speaking until the week of the test.
Speaking is a live interview. We practise it in the lesson, not only as written notes.
Aiming at a band the institution does not ask for.
Bring the band score the university, employer, or visa authority has published, and we plan around that.
Using PTE Academic papers for an IELTS date.
The tasks and score scales differ. Lessons stay on IELTS if that is the test you are sitting.
Getting started with online tutoring is easy
Complete the enquiry form
Takes ~60 seconds. Tell us your curriculum, year group, and goals.
We match your child with a specialist tutor
Matched for level + personality - not just availability.
Meet your tutor online
Identify strengths and gaps and agree the best plan forward.
Book your first lesson
Structured lessons, consistent practice, visible progress.
Request a Free Meet & Greet
Complete the simple form below and our Education Consultants will be in touch to schedule a free meet and greet with your potential tutor.
From R400 to R1,500 per hour. Flexible credits, no long-term contract.
Meet Our Expert Tutors
Behind every student's success is a dedicated tutor. Our IEB, CAPS and Cambridge specialists work one-on-one with learners across South Africa - building exam readiness and lasting confidence.
How test preparation starts
Four steps to match a tutor for the test you are sitting.
Tell us the test
Share which test you are sitting, the score you need, and the date if you have one.
We match a tutor
We shortlist a tutor who prepares students for that test.
Practice plan
The tutor plans practice around the tasks and timing of that test.
Start lessons
One-to-one online lessons. We prepare you for the test. We do not book it for you.
Here's what sets us apart
Tutors for this test
We match a tutor for the test you are sitting. Lessons do not follow a school syllabus.
True 1-on-1 Learning
No group classes. Each lesson works on the score you need and the tasks in that test.
The test you named
IELTS Academic and General Training are different from school English. We stay on the IELTS paper you are sitting.
Progress You Can See
A practice plan and feedback on the tasks you are preparing. We do not guarantee a score.
Interactive Platform
Live whiteboard, shared resources, and real-time collaboration.
What we cover
What we cover for IELTS
The tasks we practise. This is not a school syllabus.
Which IELTS test
Academic and General Training are different tests. Academic is for degree-level study and many professional registrations. General Training is for migration, work, and study below degree level. We teach the one you are booked to sit.
Listening and reading
Timed practice for the listening and reading tasks on your test. Academic and General Training use different reading texts.
Writing
Academic Writing and General Training Writing are not the same. Task 1 in particular differs. We practise the tasks for the test you are taking.
Speaking
Speaking is a live interview with an examiner, in three parts. The format is the same for Academic and General Training. On IELTS Online it is a video interview, still with an examiner. We practise it out loud, not only on paper.
Band scores
Results are reported from 1 to 9, in half-band steps, for each skill and overall. Bring the band your institution or visa authority asks for.
What we do not do
We do not book the test, and we do not treat IELTS as a school English syllabus or as Grade 12. PTE Academic is a separate test.
Common mistakes
And how working with a private online tutor can help your child avoid them
Preparing for Academic when the visa or employer wants General Training, or the other way round.
We ask which test is required, and the lessons follow that test. Reading and writing are not interchangeable.
Treating IELTS like a school English essay or a Grade 12 exam.
Tasks, timing, and scoring follow the IELTS format, not a school syllabus.
Leaving speaking until the week of the test.
Speaking is a live interview. We practise it in the lesson, not only as written notes.
Aiming at a band the institution does not ask for.
Bring the band score the university, employer, or visa authority has published, and we plan around that.
Using PTE Academic papers for an IELTS date.
The tasks and score scales differ. Lessons stay on IELTS if that is the test you are sitting.
Study strategy
How lessons work for IELTS
Name the test, then practise that format. We do not use another exam's syllabus.
- 1
Before the first lesson
Name the test
Tell us the exact test or course, the score you need, and the date if you have one. We do not book the test for you.
- 2
Before you book
Meet the tutor
The free Meet and Greet is a conversation. You decide whether the tutor knows the test you are sitting.
- 3
Through the preparation
Weekly practice
Lessons work through the tasks for that test, at your pace.
- 4
As the sitting approaches
Timed practice
Closer to the sitting, lessons use the timing and task types of that test. We do not invent a test date.
Tactics
Bring the band score the institution has asked for.
Say whether you are sitting Academic or General Training.
Do not mix IELTS practice with PTE or school English papers.
Recommended approach
Start while there is time to practise each part of the test. A short block of lessons can still help if the date is close, as long as we know which test you are sitting.
What your child will achieve
What you can expect from IELTS tutoring
Realistic outcomes when your child commits to the process
A clear choice between IELTS Academic and General Training
Practice in listening, reading, writing, and speaking
Familiarity with band scores from 1 to 9
A plan aimed at the band you have been asked for
One-to-one lessons timed around your test date, if you have one
A tutor prepares you for the test. We do not book the test, and we do not guarantee a score.
Frequently asked questions about IELTS
Is IELTS the same as Grade 12 English?
No. IELTS is an English language test for study, work, or migration. It is not a school subject, and it is not the IEB, CAPS, Cambridge, or IB English exam.
What is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training?
Academic is for degree-level study and many professional registrations. General Training is for migration, work, and study below degree level. Listening and speaking are the same format. Reading and writing differ. Check which test is required before you book lessons.
How is IELTS scored?
Each skill gets a band from 1 to 9, in half-band steps, and there is an overall band. The test takes about 2 hours 45 minutes and covers listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Can I take IELTS on a computer?
Yes. IELTS is offered on paper and on computer. IELTS Online is for Academic only. We prepare you for the test you are sitting. We do not book it.
Is PTE the same as IELTS?
No. PTE Academic is Pearson's computer-based English test, scored from 10 to 90. IELTS uses band scores from 1 to 9. Some institutions accept both, but they are different tests.
Explore more
Related Resources
Next Steps and Useful Links
Browse and book qualified tutors for your subject and curriculum.
Read moreHow It WorksMatching, booking, and support.
Read moreOur GuaranteeRight tutor fit promise - replace your child's tutor if the first lesson is not the right match.
Read moreEnquireGet in touch for a personalised recommendation.
Read moreReady to See Real Academic Progress?
Get matched with an expert tutor in under 24 hours - no obligation.
Explore our IEB tutoring South Africa, CAPS tutoring, Cambridge tutoring, IB tutoring online. Questions? Read our online tutoring FAQ.
Join Our Team
Teach Online. Make a Real Impact.
Join a community of expert educators delivering high-quality, meaningful education across South Africa.
Teach Cambridge, IB, and International Curriculums
Flexible hours - work from anywhere
Supportive academic team and tools