The Best IELTS Textbooks for International Students

One of the most common questions the teaching team at SI-UK's London Language Centre are asked is “which textbook should I use?”. There are many different types of IELTS textbook available on the market, with some benefitting more experienced English learners, and some focussing on specific elements such as reading or speaking.

Learn more about some of the best IELTS textbooks suitable for international students who want to hit a target IELTS score for UK university entry.

Finding the right textbook to compliment your learning is one of the first steps you need to take ahead of reaching your target IELTS score, and today we are going to look at some of the best on the market for all types of student. If you want to learn more about IELTS preparation lessons in central London, contact our teaching team today.

The Best IELTS Textbooks

5. Improve Your IELTS Writing (Macmillan)

‘Improve Your IELTS Writing’ is an older IELTS textbook, but we continue to recommend it to students who need specific help with their writing. The book is extremely thorough, and covers most of the different types of writing that IELTS students need to use. If you don’t have enough time to take extra writing classes, ‘Improve Your IELTS Writing’ is ideal for self-study.

• Minimum recommended IELTS score required to use: 5.0

4. IELTS Introduction (Macmillan)

This textbook comes recommended for students who are able to communicate in English a little, but are not advanced enough for an intermediate textbook. ‘IELTS Introduction’ starts slowly, but by the end contains some very complex grammar and vocabulary. It is best used as a class book in group or 1 to 1 scenarios.

• Minimum recommended IELTS score required to use: 4.0-5.0

3. IELTS Foundation (Macmillan)

‘IELTS Foundation’ is the traditional follow-up to ‘IELTS Introduction’ and has a varied range of topics, grammar and vocabulary to learn and study. Some of the grammar points can be quite difficult, but ‘IELTS Foundation’ explains them simply and clearly.

• Minimum recommended IELTS score required to use: 5.0

2. Speaking for IELTS (Collins)

‘Speaking for IELTS’ is a relatively new addition to our recommended textbook list and its sections on pronunciation, in particular, are very useful if a student is looking to improve their fluency. The textbook comes with a CD featuring IELTS questions and sample answers, meaning that students can use it without a teacher. For the best results though, this book should be used in a class with lots of other students, as the best way to improve your speaking score is actually to speak!

• Minimum recommended IELTS score required to use: 5.0, but more suitable for 6.0

1. Objective IELTS Intermediate (Cambridge)

‘Objective IELTS Intermediate’ is one of the few IELTS textbooks that never goes out of print. It contains many ideas which are not covered elsewhere, and the relationship between strategy and skills is well balanced, making clear what is required to get a high IELTS score. The book doesn’t focus on too heavily on writing, but paired with something such as ‘Improve Your IELTS Writing’ students are well covered.

• Minimum recommended IELTS score required to use: 4.5, but more suitable for 5.0

Study IELTS in London

The SI-UK Language Centre offer low cost IELTS preparation classes in central London with no registration fees and all your materials provided. Learn more by arranging a free consultation with our teaching team today.