IELTS General Training
IELTS General Training preparation for Ethiopia
For migration to australia, canada, the uk or new zealand, or for work and training programmes. Master letter writing and the everyday and workplace reading texts, with AI feedback on every Writing task and Speaking recording.
Who it is for
Take IELTS General Training if your goal is migration, work or a training programme rather than academic study. 21% of IELTS candidates worldwide take General Training.
Listening and Speaking are identical to Academic. What sets General Training apart is the Reading, which uses practical everyday and workplace texts, and Writing Task 1, which is a letter.
What is on the General Training test
Reading
Three sections that build from short everyday notices and adverts, to workplace texts, to one longer general-interest passage. 40 questions in 60 minutes.
Writing Task 1
Write a letter (formal, semi-formal or informal) of at least 150 words. The prompt sets three points you must cover, in the right tone.
Writing Task 2 and Speaking
The Task 2 essay and the full Speaking interview are the same as Academic, marked on the same criteria.
Listening
Four recordings of increasing difficulty, from an everyday conversation to an academic lecture, with 40 questions across form completion, multiple choice, matching, and map or diagram labelling. Accents include British, Australian, New Zealand and North American.
How the course is built
8 weeks, self-paced, about 80 hours in total. The General Training Reading and letter-writing lessons are authored for this track; the rest is shared with Academic.
- Week 1 Foundation and a full diagnostic across all four sections
- Week 2 Listening Parts 1 and 2, prediction and accents
- Week 3 Listening Parts 3 and 4, plus Reading strategy
- Week 4 Reading deep dive, every question type, per track
- Week 5 Writing Task 1: data description (Academic) or letters (General Training)
- Week 6 Writing Task 2 essays, plus Speaking foundations
- Week 7 Speaking mastery and integrated full-section practice
- Week 8 Full mock tests under real conditions and a final review
Taking the test in Ethiopia
Since 21 June 2026, all IELTS tests in Ethiopia are delivered on computer. The format, questions and scoring are identical to paper; computer delivery just adds more test dates and faster results.
For dates, the current fee and booking, go to British Council Ethiopia, or read our Ethiopia guide.
General Training FAQ
Who should take IELTS General Training?
Migration to Australia, Canada, the UK or New Zealand, or for work and training programmes. If you are applying to migrate to Canada or Australia, or for a work or training programme, this is usually the version you need. Confirm with the immigration authority or employer.
How is General Training Reading different from Academic?
General Training Reading uses texts you meet in daily life and at work. Section 1 has short everyday notices and adverts, Section 2 has workplace and training documents, and Section 3 is one longer general-interest passage. It is 40 questions in 60 minutes, like Academic, but the texts are more practical.
What is General Training Writing Task 1?
You write a letter of at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. It may be formal, semi-formal or informal, and the prompt gives three points you must cover. Getting the tone right and addressing all three points is what earns the marks.
What band score do migration programmes want?
Migration programmes often target an overall 6.0 to 7.0, sometimes with a minimum in each section. Points-based systems may reward higher bands. Check the exact requirement for your visa stream before you book.
Ready for IELTS General Training?
Open the course on atenu.org, or compare it with Academic.