Hi all,

My Wife is preparing to apply for the UK Visa, which requires passing an English exam. Can anyone recommend a good English school in Chiang Mai which specifically prepares for the IELTS English exam? I've found a few online, but would like to know if anyone has had any first hand (or second hand, via spouse/family) experience (positive, or negative) with any schools?

Thank you for any information.

Sorry - I should also add that IELTS seems to be a better choice, since it seems to be the only test in which there is a real examiner asking questions for the Speaking test, rather than expecting her to read relatively complex English questions on a computer screen (as with TOEIC and BULATS).

Thanks again.

Sorry - I should also add that IELTS seems to be a better choice, since it seems to be the only test in which there is a real examiner asking questions for the Speaking test, rather than expecting her to read relatively complex English questions on a computer screen (as with TOEIC and BULATS).

Thanks again.

Is this for a long term visa - I assume speaking competent english (as opposed to Tinglish) is not a requirement now for a short visit visa??

I recommend you the A.U.A Language Center here in Chiang mai. They offer Ielts and Toefl courses. Ask in the office for your requirements and they will help you.

http://www.auathailand.org/chiangmai/

I only know 2 language schools in Chiang Mai that have IELTS examiners working for them: the British Council (several) and EFL Learning Centre (one). The other schools won't have any inside knowledge of the test so won't know what examiners look for. The BC regularly runs group courses and EFL runs small group or 1-1 tailor-made courses. Other schools, including AUA, are reputable.

I have been helping people with the IELTS test for over 10 years now. I work at CEC Language Centre and the telephone number is 053895202. Recommend 1 to 1 tutoring for this as then you can concentrate on the weaknesses of each student. Hope she gets a good score where ever you go.

Thanks for all the recommendations. We're going to check out a couple today, so hopefully we can finally get this last frustrating hurdle sorted :-)

Hi Lisu,

I think your wife might only need to take the General Training module of the IELTS test, not the academic module version needed for university study. Depending on her level of competence, this could make a big difference to her score. I think most CM language schools which offer IELTS mainly focus on the academic version. Worth checking before enrolling.

Good luck.

Hi Lisu,

I think your wife might only need to take the General Training module of the IELTS test, not the academic module version needed for university study. Depending on her level of competence, this could make a big difference to her score. I think most CM language schools which offer IELTS mainly focus on the academic version. Worth checking before enrolling.

Good luck.

The Listening and Speaking sections are the same. The Writing and Reading sections contain different content to reflect whether this is an Academic or General (living) test. The format and marking criteria are the same. The band scores awarded reflect the same level of proficiency.

http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/test_sample.aspx