Free resources
Free, practical material for IELTS Speaking and everyday British English, hand-picked from trusted sources. I add new resources regularly, and you can use them on their own or alongside lessons.
Band 6 vs 7 vs 8
Official IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors
See exactly how IELTS examiners distinguish different speaking bands across Fluency & Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
IELTS.org – OfficialView official band descriptors ↗IELTS Speaking Marking Criteria
Use the official assessment criteria to understand what examiners are listening for and where your speaking needs to improve.
IELTS.org – OfficialExplore speaking criteria ↗
Sample Speaking questions
Official IELTS Speaking Practice Test
Practise all three parts of the IELTS Speaking test with official sample tasks and become familiar with the real test format.
British Council IELTS – Official preparationStart speaking practice ↗Official IELTS Sample Test Questions
Access official IELTS sample questions and practice papers for Academic and General Training.
IELTS.org – OfficialView sample questions ↗
Pronunciation tutorials
BBC – Tim's Pronunciation Workshop
A superb free series showing how English is actually spoken, including connected speech, assimilation, elision and natural pronunciation.
BBC Learning EnglishWatch pronunciation lessons ↗Cambridge English Pronunciation Dictionary
Search thousands of words, hear real UK and US pronunciation, and see IPA phonetic transcriptions.
Cambridge DictionaryCheck a pronunciation ↗
British English expressions
BBC Learning English
Learn natural British English through short lessons covering everyday language, vocabulary, idioms, pronunciation and real spoken English.
BBC Learning EnglishExplore BBC Learning English ↗British Council – General English
Practise everyday English with free videos, articles and activities designed for real-world communication.
British Council LearnEnglishPractise everyday English ↗
Vocabulary guides
British Council B1–B2 Vocabulary
Topic-based vocabulary lessons with pronunciation and interactive exercises – especially useful for learners building range for IELTS.
British Council LearnEnglishBuild your vocabulary ↗British Council Vocabulary Hub
Browse free vocabulary activities by level and topic, with exercises to help you understand, remember and use new words.
British Council LearnEnglishExplore vocabulary resources ↗
Speaking exercises
British Council IELTS Speaking Mock Test
Run through a realistic 11–14 minute speaking practice using official IELTS materials. Record yourself and listen back afterwards.
British Council IELTSTry a speaking mock ↗British Council LearnEnglish – Speaking
Free speaking lessons organised by CEFR level, with useful phrases, videos and interactive practice for everyday communication.
British Council LearnEnglishPractise speaking ↗
Recommended videos
BBC – The Sounds of English
A clear video guide to English vowel and consonant sounds. Watch, listen and repeat to improve clarity and pronunciation.
BBC Learning EnglishWatch The Sounds of English ↗British Council IELTS Preparation
Official IELTS preparation hub with videos, expert tips, practice materials and resources for Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.
British Council IELTSExplore IELTS preparation ↗
Downloadable study materials
Official IELTS Speaking Sample Tasks – PDF
Download official Speaking sample tasks and use them for timed practice, mock interviews or study with a partner.
British Council IELTSDownload speaking tasks ↗IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors – PDF
Keep the official band descriptors beside you when practising so you can compare your performance with the criteria used by examiners.
IELTS.org – OfficialGet the band descriptors ↗Free IELTS Practice Tests
Access free official practice for Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing, including Academic and General Training materials.
British Council IELTSOpen free practice tests ↗