Criterion

Grade: 5/4/3/2/1

Comments (5 being the highest grade and 1 the lowest)

Originality /

Overview

         4

IELTS Success Formula provides a refreshing approach which accentuates ‘the need for student understanding’ in order to progress. That is, an understanding of their mistakes, leading to self-evaluation of their current performance. To this end, this self-study book has been written. The authors have drawn upon research carried out on ‘thousands of IELTS test-takers’ through their website www.IELTS-Blog.com to identify typical and common mistakes, presenting them in this book and demonstrating how they can be avoided/overcome.

In particular, this book emanates a noticeable balance between training in task type and promoting understanding of an individual’s performance.

This Australian publication, however, does make rather large claims, promising unrivalled results on account of its unique formula for success. That said, given the approach taken, if seriously adopted, by the student, such an individual could potentially develop both their language and study skills, empowering them towards achieving their required/desired outcomes.

First impressions may be potentially misleading as the style and tone adopted could appear counter-productive to the pedagogical nature of this book as it lays emphasis on ‘impressing the assessor’. For example, the idea of producing accurate responses is equated to the notion of making a good impression, on the assessor, with emphasis on the latter! (E.g. p.135,143)

IELTS Success Formula provides an IELTS candidate with detailed information and considerable opportunity for critical analysis and self-evaluation of their current performance.

Practicality /

Functionality

        3

IELTS Success Formula proposes two, 4-step approaches to study (which are the formula for success). Plan A relates to candidates who are short of time and is referred to as ‘a crash course’ and Plan B, for those who have more time available, is a ‘comprehensive preparation’ study plan.

The concept of ‘test-readiness’ is promoted through and correlated with, the idea of ‘fitness’. Consequently, a solely information-based ‘lesson’ is followed by ‘fitness’ exercises. The ‘lesson’ consists of valuable insights, including Q&As, outlining of task types and common mistakes. (Typically this extends to 20 pages per skill.) However, it is not the easiest of texts to navigate. Each skill section contains a variety of informative sub-sections, within the ‘lesson’ which are not included within the list of contents.

Gold star advice, emoticons and ‘Good job’ rosettes are used, together with motivational cues and suggested rewards, as a means of informing, discriminating between poor and good responses and motivating the student. (E.g. p.106,126,135,145,162,173) A cautionary note would be that all of the aforesaid are written very informally and would be appropriate for a teenager/young adult learner. 

Components

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The text book includes Listening CD

(There are no inter-related additional materials)

Presentation

        2.5

Black & white throughout, text only, no pictures! Lacks lustre.

The text is presented in short manageable chunks, in terms of promoting accessibility and comprehension.

Overall rating

    3.5

What outstanding strengths/ weaknesses do you feel this title possesses?

Strengths IELTS Success Formula:

Emphasises the need for individual understanding of current performance, that is, both individual difficulties currently being experienced as well as why individual responses given are correct, in order to progress.

Strongly promotes the importance of self-evaluation through reflection and critical analysis.

Directs students to external resources, such as websites, to further their knowledge and understanding of the IELTS exam (including assessment criteria) (E.g. p.174)

Regulates the student’s period of study time by acknowledging a potentially intense period of learning, where a lot of detailed information has been given. (E.g. p.217)

Addresses typical problematic questions, such as ‘What if I can’t understand what is being said on the recording? (Listening) (E.g.p.8) and provides answers, reasons and solutions. What if my mind goes blank because I’m nervous? (Speaking) (E.g. p.267-9) What if I don’t want to talk about the Part 2 topic or don’t know much about it? (p.267)

Takes a unique approach to skill development and associated IELTS task training. For example, multiple choice responses to mock speaking exam questions are used in training for the speaking and listening sections. (E.g. p.280-285) Multiple choice is also used for different aspects of the test including discriminating between whole responses. (E.g. p.291)

The questions provided for speaking practice are graded into 3 categories (easy, harder and hardest) allowing students to adjust their practice according to their (required) level. (p.318-330)

Provides extensive information relating to achieving required performance. E.g. the IELTS Writing Doctor – 37 pages of focused grammar and vocabulary for IELTS examination tasks. (p.195-232)

Weaknesses:

Complex to navigate

Recommended vocabulary is not always appropriate for a British English environment E.g. ‘top score vocabulary for the speaking test’ (p.307-313)

CD

Provides a ‘rated sample IELTS interview’ (E.g. p.298-303) measuring responses through comparison, annotating that which promotes the greater response. The original sample is then evaluated using the ‘publically available IELTS assessment guidelines’.

On which courses do you envisage being able to use this material?

IELTS Success Formula is predominantly a self-study publication.

It has not been referenced against the CEFR (Common European Framework) but has been written in a way that would make it accessible to language learners at IELTS 4.5 (B2) and above.

This Australian publication could potentially be used as additional reference material on an IELTS course.

Other comments

The essence of this book is summed up through the following:

“…understanding your performance deeply is much better than just doing one new test after another.” (p.v)

For the IELTS candidate this book will not only enable you to overcome your own difficulties, it will also train you to evaluate your own performance critically.  In so doing, you will acquire valuable skills which will facilitate your progression through the IELTS examination and beyond!

Typically suitable for teenagers and young adult learners.