Jonathan White

If you are currently at B2 level and want to reach C1, you may be wondering how long it will take. There is no single number of months that applies to everyone, but Cambridge English estimates that learners typically need around 200 guided learning hours to progress from one CEFR level to the next. This means moving from B2 to C1 can take roughly 200 hours of focused learning, although the actual time can be significantly shorter or longer depending on your circumstances. (Cambridge English)...

IELTS Writing is difficult because it is not simply a test of whether you can write in English. You have to understand the question, develop relevant ideas, organise those ideas logically, use appropriate vocabulary, control your grammar, and complete the task within a limited amount of time. IELTS assesses Writing against four criteria: Task Achievement or Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. In Academic and General Training IELTS, Task...

In 2026, the question isn’t if you should use AI for IELTS, but how to use it without hitting a score plateau. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and specialised AI graders (cathoven) are incredible for the "heavy lifting" of language learning. But if you want to break into the Band 7.5+ bracket, you need to know where AI helps and where it hits a wall. 1. Use AI for the "Volume" Work AI is your 24/7 drills sergeant. Use it to build the raw materials of your English: The Grammar Clean-up: Use AI to...