Personalised, 1-on-1, online IELTS preparation course

Get your best possible IELTS band score

Study with an instructor of 15+ years’ experience

What do my students say?

“His feedback and exam strategies were really helpful and I couldn’t have done it without him.”

“I took up classes at the spur of the moment and Ben was flexible and accommodating. His feedback and exam strategies were really helpful and I couldn’t have done it without him. I spent a long time trying to study on my own, but I’m really glad I found Ascend!”

IELTS student - Kento

“I immediately decided to continue learning with him.”

“He is a patient and kind teacher. His lessons are always bright and enjoyable. After the trial lesson, I immediately decided to continue learning with him. I am currently studying pronunciation and accent, and his explanations are so clear that they are easy to understand. In class, I am given many opportunities to practice, which allows me to do practical exercises and receive constructive feedback. He also understands that I am practicing for the IELTS exam and assigns me suitable homework. As his CELTA qualification proves, he is an excellent English teacher, and above all, since he can understand and speak Japanese, I especially recommend him to Japanese learners who may not yet feel confident speaking with a native speaker. For me, he’s absolutely 10 out of 10.”

IELTS student - Masa

“I was looking for a band 7 in Speaking and I was able to secure it thanks to his support.”

“I had a memorable experience with Ben! He is such an excellent person and professional! He helped me a lot in a short time to prepare for my IELTS Speaking exam. There was a lot of fun during the lessons, which I really value. The flexibility and the personalized learning was top-notch! Everything was easy to follow and always encouraging. Thanks to his support, I gained much more confidence when speaking English. I was looking for a band 7 in Speaking and I was able to secure it thanks to his support. I would definitely recommend him to anyone preparing for IELTS”

IELTS student - Sebastian

“What I learned from Mr. Allison in Japan has been a great help. I’m truly grateful to him.”

Student with 6.0 in Speaking - Mr. T.Y.

Designed for Your Success

CELTA-qualified teacher

With a teacher certified from Cambridge University with more than 15 years’ experience in exam preparation, we will design the perfect IELTS strategy and lesson plans.

Exam preparation experience worldwide

We have run exam preparation courses for a major European language school and have a wide range of experience with exam formats, strategies, and learner’s needs.

Personalised one-on-one lessons

We can flexibly design the curriculum in a way that language schools cannot. We provide full-custom guidance for your goals, deadlines, and areas of weakness in English or IELTS.

Benjamin Allison

Your teacher

I am Ben

English language teacher
qualified from University of Cambridge
over 15 years of experience.

Taught English in:

Asia
Europe
and London

Led the exam preparation course at a major European language school.

I’ve helped thousands of students go to their first-choice university or improve their career prospects.

The Ascend Method for IELTS

Assess

1.

Find your current level in your 1st lesson and create a study plan to achieve your dream IELTS Band Score with the time you have available.

Diagnose

2.

Identify the main limiting factor that is stopping you from achieving your dream Band Score in your 1st week.

Prioritise

3.

Focus on the highest-impact weaknesses first to boost your progess.

Train

4.

Practise the skills and language you actually need.

Correct

5.

Get immediate expert feedback.

Reinforce

6.

Use targeted homework between lessons to improve recall and develop essential test-taking skills.

Reassess

7.

Measure progress with IELTS mock tests and adjust the plan with regular reassessments.

IELTS Preparation Course

Lessons are primarily conducted online. (Please note this is not a General English course, and it is not suitable for absolute beginners.)

Course includes:

Personalised coaching

Personalised weekly study plan for your dream IELTS band score
1-on-1 speaking practice with instant feedback in two 60-minute online lessons every week
Professional feedback, prioritised by level of importance for you
Progress tracking done for you – so you can really see your progress and feel confident
Homework after lessons – to suit your schedule
Quickly and easily schedule lessons with online booking application

Support between lessons

Unrivalled access with online video chat and voice and text message with Ben outside of lesson time (reply within 24hrs)
Comprehensive curriculum covering Speaking Parts 1, 2, 3; Writing Tasks 1, 2; Reading; Listening; IELTS vocabulary and grammar
Fast progress with self-study resources and support
Access to all Ascend English learning guides and video courses, as well as any future courses

And

Achieve or exceed your dream IELTS Band Score with our accountability and strategy

No hidden fees

We have no sign up fees, no cancellation fees, and no course material costs.

Please note

If you study infrequently, or do not begin preparation with enough time before your exam date, we cannot guarantee the best results.

Money-back guarantee

If you’re not happy with your lessons (for whatever reason), Ben will give you your money back, personally.

IELTS Preparation Course

Includes:

Speaking Parts 1, 2, 3
Writing Tasks 1, 2
Reading
Listening
IELTS vocabulary and grammar

(Prices can be converted to your local currency at checkout.)

More about me

In other parts of my professional life, I have edited English language materials for APEC, and EDO-TOKYO MUSEUM and Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo.

I have also collaborated with policymakers to produce reports for the G20, STS Forum, and the International Maritime Organization.

Furthermore, I have edited and written white papers, press releases, advertising copy, and annual reports for numerous Japanese corporations including Nissan, Toyota, Ajinomoto, and Rakuten.

In addition, I have worked extensively with the Japanese government. Working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, National Personnel Authority, and Imperial Household Agency has been a great honour and a wonderful experience.

Am I the right level for this course?

The course is in English, but Ben can explain some things in Japanese if it is helpful. We accept students from all around the world.

Do I need to take the IELTS course?

If you are not planning on taking the IELTS exam, this course may not be the best for you. We also offer General English courses, so please check them out.

Can you guarantee a 7.5?

We cannot guarantee a exam result, but we have good knowledge on what is necessary to get a 7.5 (or any score). After taking this course, you’ll also understand very well what kind of score you are able to achieve. That being said, our students must also be dedicated to get the best score. It takes two to tango!

How can I pay?

We accept all major credit cards via Stripe. You can pay in (almost) any currency.

Do I need to pay for course materials?

We will provide you with the most suitable teaching materials and learning resources according to your level and needs.

I already have some experience with IELTS. Can this course help me?

We regularly teach re-takers of the exam. And we can help you improve on your past performance. Many students also retake the IELTS exam at later stages in their life, for Master’s courses or working visas, for example.

Levels

If your level is not ready for the IELTS course, we cater for all levels from Absolute Beginner to Intermediate and Advanced in our General English courses. We can, therefore, improve your general English ability and get you in the best position to join the exam course. Level structure at Ascend English is aligned with the CEFR levels.

Level	CEFR	IELTS band score
Absolute Beginner	A1
Elementary	A2
Pre-Intermediate	B1	4
Intermediate	B1	4.5
Intermediate	B1	5
Intermediate	B2	5.5
Upper Intermediate	B2	6
Upper Intermediate	B2	6.5
Advanced	C1	7
Advanced	C1	7.5
Advanced	C2	8
Advanced	C2	9

Try our English level quiz