What is IELTS? IELTS stands for "International English Language Testing System". It is an internationally recognized standardized test of English language proficiency, divided into listening, reading, writing, and speaking sections. Most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand, and South African educational institutions accept it as a measure of English language ability, and it is also an immigration requirement in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It is the world's most popular English language exam for university admissions and immigration. How are IELTS coaching different from ESL classes? IELTS coaching is not an English class. If you don't already know how to read, speak or write in English, then IELTS coaching won't help you much. IELTS coaching is intended for people who already have little ability with the English language to achieve IELTS band scores, by giving them techniques and strategies to perform better in exams. Do you need coaching?