"Is IELTS Listening difficult because it's British English?"
"Is it true you only hear the audio once?"
When you start preparing for the IELTS Listening test, you might hear rumors like these and feel anxious.
To put it simply, the IELTS Listening section is often the easiest part of the test to improve your score. This is because the question patterns are predictable, and it can be mastered with the right "techniques" and "practice," rather than special talent.
In this article, based on the expertise of ELT, where former IELTS examiners work, we will explain the overall structure of the test, strategies for each part, and the first steps beginners should take.
What You'll Learn in This Article
- Test Overview: A 30-minute challenge. How you use the "transfer time" can make all the difference.
- Part-by-Part Breakdown: From daily conversations to university lectures, see how the difficulty changes.
- The 3 Hurdles: Understanding accents, spelling mistakes, and "distractor" questions.
- Study Method: Why passive listening doesn't work and the right way to train.
1. Overview of the IELTS Listening Test
Let's start with the basics. The Listening test is the first section of the exam.
[Table 1] IELTS Listening Test Overview
Item | Details |
Test Duration | Approx. 30 minutes + Transfer time |
Number of Questions | 40 questions (10 questions for each of Parts 1-4) |
Audio Playback | Played only once (cannot be replayed) |
Question Types | Fill-in-the-blanks (written), multiple choice, map labeling, etc. |
Accents | Various accents, including British, Australian, and North American. |
[Important] Transfer Time Differs by Test Format!
- Paper-based Test: You are given 10 minutes after the audio finishes to "transfer your answers to the answer sheet."
- Computer-delivered Test (CDI): You only have 2 minutes for transfer time (mainly for reviewing your typed answers).
*The paper-based test can be less stressful for beginners, as the final 10 minutes allow for a thorough spelling check.
2. Structure and Difficulty of the 4 Parts
The IELTS Listening test gradually increases in difficulty from Part 1 (easy) to Part 4 (difficult). The goal for beginners is to score as close to full marks as possible on the easier Parts 1 & 2, and then hold on through the more difficult Parts 3 & 4.
Part 1: A Conversation in an Everyday Context (2 speakers)
- Content: Hotel reservations, job inquiries, reporting a lost item, etc.
- Features: Mainly "fill-in-the-blank" questions where you write down phone numbers, names (spelled out), dates, and prices.
- Goal: Aim for a perfect score here.
Part 2: A Monologue in an Everyday Context (1 speaker)
- Content: A tour guide explaining a facility, a radio broadcast about an event, etc.
- Features: A single speaker talks for an extended period. Map labeling questions are common.
Part 3: A Conversation in an Academic Context (2-4 speakers)
- Content: A university tutorial (discussion between a professor and students), a debate on a research project.
- Features: This is the most challenging part. Multiple speakers exchange opinions quickly, making it difficult to track "who agreed with what."
Part 4: A Monologue in an Academic Context (1 speaker)
- Content: A university lecture on topics like history, biology, or business.
- Features: A long, continuous speech. The content is academic, but because it has a clear logical structure (introduction → body → conclusion), it can sometimes be easier than Part 3 once you get used to it.
3. Three Common Hurdles and How to Overcome Them
The reasons why people who can handle TOEIC listening struggle with IELTS are clear.
① Spelling Mistakes Score Zero Points
IELTS requires written answers. Even if you know the answer is "Library," you will get zero points if you write "Libary."
- Solution: Practice until you can perfectly spell singular/plural forms (with or without 's') and days of the week (e.g., Wednesday).
② Diverse English Accents
For students raised on American English materials, British English (with its non-rhotic 'r') and Australian English (where "ei" can sound like "ai") can be formidable.
- Solution: Regularly listen to news from the BBC (UK) and ABC (Australia) to train your ear.
③ "Distractors"
This is a classic IELTS trick pattern.
- Audio: "The price is $50... oh wait, no, sorry, it's actually $60 with tax."
- Correct Answer: $60
- Solution: Get into the habit of waiting for the speaker to confirm the information instead of jumping on the first number you hear.
4. A 3-Step Study Method for Beginners
Passive "listening in the background" is not effective. You need focused listening training.
Step 1: Match the Sound of a Word with its Spelling
Start by practicing with basic vocabulary frequently found in Part 1 (numbers, days, months, addresses, common occupations). Practice listening to them and immediately writing them down with the correct spelling. Losing points here will make achieving a Band 6.0 much harder.
Step 2: Dictation (Writing Down What You Hear)
Listen to short sentences, pausing after each one to write down exactly what you heard.
This is the most powerful training method for catching missed articles like "a" or "the" and noticing the difference between singular and plural forms.
Step 3: Practice "Predicting" with Official Practice Materials
The biggest trick to succeeding in IELTS Listening is to use the time before the audio starts to read the questions ahead and predict the answers.
- "A 'price' will go here."
- "A 'noun' will go here."
If you can make these predictions, you can listen with a clear target in mind.
For Those Struggling with British English
A common reason for stagnating IELTS Listening scores is the gap between the sounds you know (American pronunciation) and the sounds you hear (British/Australian pronunciation).
The fastest way to close this gap is to have conversations with native speakers who use these accents.
The ELT Approach
ELT's instructors are 100% native speakers (from the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, etc.).
- Get Used to Authentic Accents: Through our lessons, your ear will naturally become accustomed to the rhythm and pronunciation of the British and Australian English specific to IELTS.
- An Examiner's Perspective: We provide score-boosting techniques, such as "Watch out for a distractor here," or "This word is likely to be paraphrased."
"My listening score has hit a plateau." "I keep making spelling mistakes."
If this sounds like you, we encourage you to get professional advice in a free trial lesson.
