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Gold Star 

Real teacher.

Real help.

 

Join a personalised live online class, and get the specific help YOU need.

Flexible Guidance and Coaching

Full Preparation for the IELTS Exam

IELTS

Next Group Class:​

SEPT 11 - NOV 1

 2024​

small classes

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Why choose a course with a real teacher, and not a package of pre-recorded video lessons? 

  • Personalized Approach: Address your specific needs and English level effectively with a dedicated teacher.

  • Instant Speaking Feedback: Improve your speaking skills with real-time corrections and tips from an experienced teacher.

  • Targeted Writing Assistance: Enhance your writing tasks with personalized critiques and strategies for higher band scores.

  • Exam Strategy and Practice: Benefit from live practice sessions and expert guidance on effective test-taking techniques.

Success on the IELTS Test is an important step in your life’s journey. It’s also an expensive test, and we need to get it right the first time! Working closely with a real online teacher means you will get the personal attention you deserve. Every learner is different, and small classes (or 1:1 individual tutoring) means that we can identify and focus on the specific parts of the test where you need most practice. Learning is also a personal, often emotional experience for many, and we understand that your time is precious. That’s why classes need to be not only challenging, but also interesting, student-centered, and immediately helpful. Here are some benefits of choosing a class with me: Tailored Feedback: Receive individualized feedback on your performance to target and improve specific areas of weakness. Adaptive Teaching: Lessons can be adapted in real-time to suit your learning style and pace. Direct Interaction: Ask questions and get immediate answers, ensuring you fully understand each concept. Regular Progress Checks: Stay on track with regular progress assessments and personalized study plans. Consistent Motivation: Benefit from a teacher’s encouragement and support to keep you motivated throughout your preparation. Structured Schedule: Maintain a disciplined study routine with scheduled classes and deadlines. Interactive Learning: Engage in interactive activities, discussions, and practice sessions to reinforce learning. Clarify Doubts Instantly: Resolve any doubts or confusion on the spot, avoiding misunderstandings that can occur with pre-recorded content. In-Depth Explanations: Gain deeper insights with thorough explanations and examples tailored to your needs. Speaking Practice: Participate in live speaking exercises and receive constructive feedback to improve fluency and accuracy. Writing Assistance: Get personalized critiques on your writing tasks to enhance your coherence, cohesion, and overall writing skills. Customized Strategies: Develop test-taking strategies that are specifically designed for you by understanding your strengths and weaknesses. Flexible Adjustments: The teacher can adjust the course content and focus areas based on your evolving needs and progress. Peer Interaction: Collaborate and practice with fellow students, simulating the exam environment and learning from each other. Build Confidence: Increase your confidence through regular, live practice sessions with a teacher and peers. Instant Resource Access: Gain immediate access to additional resources, materials, and recommendations from your teacher. Guidance on Exam Techniques: Learn effective techniques and tips directly from experienced teachers who understand the exam inside out. Higher Success Rates: Benefit from higher success rates associated with personalized, teacher-led preparation courses. Expert Insights: Leverage the experience and insights of seasoned IELTS instructors to maximize your score potential.

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Courses & Services

Are you taking the IELTS test for an overseas university application, employment opportunities, or  maybe for immigration purposes? I can help!

Gold Star IELTS offers 48-hour, 8-week Complete IELTS Preparation courses that will fully prepare you to achieve your best possible band score on the IELTS test.

Individual, 1:1 custom made courses, Focus on Speaking, and Focus on Writing Task 1&2 classes are also available.

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best value

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Online Meeting
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Qualified, Experienced
Instructor

Joel Finnestad B.A., DipTESOL

B.A. (University of Alberta), Trinity DipTESOL (Level 7/TEFLQ), 

Certified Teacher Trainer

Known as an engaging, personable instructor who can motivate and inspire learners, Joel is also an experienced IELTS educator with over 20 years teaching experience in both Taiwan and Canada. Joel's lessons are student-centred, full of variety, and aim to connect and involve YOU in the learning experience. He is equipped with up-to-date learning materials and resources, proficient with video conferencing tools and instructional design techniques, and adept at methods of student evaluation and assessment. From Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, but now living in Taipei, Joel studied English Literature and Drama (B.A.) at the University of Alberta. He worked in Edmonton as an actor, musician, teacher trainer, and fine dining server (among other jobs), before moving to Taiwan. In Taiwan, before joining as a teacher at the British Council, he worked for six years writing articles, books and video scripts for several widely published English teaching magazines (LiveABC, All+, Live, CNN, English Digest, Cheers). He also acted in the EFL videos he wrote (one was a sitcom style series later made into a book, Learn English With a Laugh). As an actor he later landed a role in the popular Taiwanese made television drama, Wayward Kenting (2007). He has written and continues to write many IELTS related articles, teaching materials, and also resources for young learners—most recently a short children's story (Deer Me, Caves Books, 2024), Finalist for the Language Learner Literature Award (LLLA). ​ ​

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Sample Lessons

Coming soon! Please have a look at some of the topics we will cover.

Sample Lessons
Interview

Speaking: Fluency and Coherence

Enhance your IELTS Speaking skills with our Fluency and Coherence tips. Speak clearly, connect your ideas effectively, and achieve the score you deserve.
Writing

Writing Task 1: Task Achievement

Excel in IELTS Writing Task 1 with our Task Achievement strategies. Learn how to address all parts of the task effectively and meet the requirements for a top score.

Writing an Essay

Writing Task 2: Lexical Range

Demonstrate your vocabulary range in IELTS Writing Task 2 by using a variety of precise and relevant words, but ensure they fit naturally within your essay.

Exam Studies

Reading: Sentence Completion

For IELTS Reading sentence completion, scan the text for keywords, match the context, and ensure your answers fit grammatically and logically.

Person studying

Listening: Multiple Choice Questions

Stay sharp in IELTS Listening: for multiple choice questions, focus on keywords and synonyms in the options to help catch the correct answer during the audio.

Word Collage

IELTS Vocabulary

Boost your IELTS vocabulary by reading widely, noting new words, and practicing them in context daily. A strong vocabulary enhances performance in all test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

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participant

(Taipei City Teacher Training)

Mr. Joel Finnestad, a creative, inspiring instructor who is a natural born actor, presented a large number of interesting ways to teach drama, films and video. Besides giving a lot of thoughts concerning classroom management and activities, Mr. Finnestad provided many opportunities for the attendees to brainstorm, to discuss and to share with their ideas and teaching experiences.

James

(Excel IELTS School student)

Teacher Joel helped me to get a Band 7 on my IELTS test, and this was because his lessons were fun and interesting and his feedback was clear for me. Highly recommend!

participant

(Taipei City Teacher Training)

At last, in Joel’s class, we learned a lot about drama activities and story-telling teaching activities . . .  his facial expressions are very interesting and vivid.  I’ve gained plenty of ideas in regard with story-telling in his class and which is quite useful.
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Let's Get Started!

Next Class
Sept. 11 - Nov. 1

8 weeks x 6 hrs/week
Wed. & Fri. 18:00-21:00

All Classes

Please send your name, email and message (optional) and I will contact you with registration details. Thank you!

Phone (SMS only)

Email

+886 0928 214 334

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