Plan-it English has developed a complete academic English language preparation programme to allow the maximum number of students from Bangkok to reach the prerequisite level of English skills for successful study abroad.

Both our testing system and our teaching are based on the International English Language Testing Service IELTS standard. Our staff members include fully qualified IELTS examiners. All of our instructional materials have been developed within the company and tested extensively within the university system. All of our teachers undertake an extensive training programme before being allowed to lead classes, and they are continually monitored to ensure that their teaching conforms to our strict quality-control requirements.

The Plan-it Bangkok IELTS English Programme

Plan-it English students rise to an internationally acceptable level of English proficiency, which in IELTS terms corresponds to bands (or levels) 5.5 to 6.0 or the equivalent. This is the level required for entrance into reputable foreign educational institutions at the undergraduate level.

Students who can produce an IELTS certificate band 6 can go directly into the programme. Any students lacking such certificate can take the Plan-it English exam, which is graded by IELTS standards.

The IELTS Equivalency Test

Plan-it’s IELTS Equivalency Test consists of four sub-tests:

• Listening, 30 minutes (+ 10 minutes preparation)
• Reading, 60 minutes
• Writing, 60 minutes
• Speaking, 10-15 minutes

The total test length is 2 hours, 45 minutes. All candidates must take all four subtests in the above order to ascertain their skill levels in each area.

The Resulting Course Sequence

Students who receive scores equivalent to IELTS band 5.5 take Plan-it’s 36-hour IELTS Examination Skills course. We advise students whose scores are equivalent to IELTS band 5.0 to take Plan-it’s Academic Skills course, followed by the IELTS Examinations Skills course. Students whose scores are equivalent to IELTS band 4.5 are advised to take Plan-it’s Integrated Skills course, followed by the Academic Skills sequence, and finish with the IELTS Examinations Skills course.

After completing each level, we re-test students to make sure they are ready to move to the next. The tests are included in the teaching block, and students receive full reports on their progress.

Plan-it English Courses Academic Skills
These courses focus on the productive skills of writing and speaking, although other skills required for academic study will receive attention.

Goals include

• Students’ ability to write short academic essays and reports
• Students’ ability to give presentations
• Students’ acquiring the skills and confidence to succeed at problem-based learning

Plan-it English Courses IELTS Examination Skills

The course in highest demand at Plan-it, IELTS Examination Skills focuses on preparing students to take the IELTS examination. The first and last classes are mock IELTS examinations that give students their estimated IELTS levels before and after the course. By the end of the course, students have a thorough understanding of the IELTS examination system. They know what to expect, what is expected of them, and how to maximise their scores.

Goals include:

• Students understand the IELTS exam and its targets completely.
• Students understand the formats used in the writing tests thoroughly.
• Students grasp the full range of IELTS exam-taking skills, such as skimming and scanning in reading, planning in writing, forecasting in listening, and presentation skills in speaking.
• Students understand the importance of time management.

Students identify their areas of weakness in time to do additional self-study before the exam.