Astana, 19 December 2025. At the start of every year, millions of people set new goals for the months ahead, hoping to make the coming year a successful one. For many, that means learning English or improving the skills they already have. It’s no surprise, then, that language centres often welcome a wave of new students in early January.
According to the British Council’s The Future of English: Global Perspectives report, English continues to open doors to higher education, better job opportunities and higher salaries. The report also shows that demand for English isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and that it remains the world’s most widely used global language.
For many learners, developing English proficiency is a strategic step that prepares them for the IELTS test - a recognised benchmark of their language ability. As the world’s leading English proficiency exam, IELTS is accepted by thousands of universities, employers and immigration authorities around the world. It gives people recognised proof of their English skills and helps them access study, work and travel opportunities worldwide.
As 2026 approaches, the British Council continues to support learners every step of the way, offering trusted tools and resources to build English skills and feel confident when preparing for IELTS.
Resources to learn English and prepare for IELTS
English Online is a 100% online and interactive course, designed around your needs. With our British Council teachers, you'll achieve your goals in English. Classes are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
EnglishScore is a free, quick and accurate test of your English level. The test assesses your proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening and can be used for self-improvement, to prove your level to an employer or to prepare for a test such as IELTS.
IELTS Coach is a tool to prepare for Academic and General Training IELTS. Get the score you need with the co-creator of the IELTS test. Explore the platform for free.
Mini IELTS Mock Test is a free IELTS familiarisation test. Register to access the free tests for IELTS Academic and General Training and discover exactly what to expect on your test day. Hurry and register today, as this deal is only available until January 2026.
Begin your IELTS preparation with the British Council at no cost by registering for IELTS Ready Member and unlocking a range of essential resources to support your study. With free access to carefully designed practice materials, you can explore the test format and plan your preparation with confidence.
This includes:
- Six complimentary practice tests covering Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
- An on-computer familiarisation test to help you feel comfortable with the digital test experience.
- Expert-led videos, practical exercises and preparation tips to guide you at every stage.
- IELTS Ready Member gives you a solid foundation to understand the exam, monitor your progress, and create an effective study plan as you work toward your desired IELTS score.
When you book your IELTS test with the British Council, you receive complimentary access to IELTS Ready Premium — a comprehensive preparation package valued at US$170. Designed by IELTS experts, this all-in-one toolkit equips you with everything you need to prepare effectively and perform with confidence on test day.
The package includes:
- A free mini mock test (available for a limited time) to help you assess your current level, with detailed AI-powered feedback on your Speaking and Writing performance.
- Up to 40 full practice tests for Listening and Reading, complete with scores to track your progress.
- Optional AI-based feedback for Writing and Speaking, available from US$9.99, offering precise insights into areas for improvement.
- Live and recorded sessions led by IELTS experts, allowing flexible learning at your own pace.
- Structured online courses, both skills-focused and topic-based.
- Extensive practice questions with model answers to build familiarity with the test format.
- A personalised learning dashboard to monitor your development and stay motivated.
About the British Council
The British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2024-25 we reached 599 million people. www.britishcouncil.org
About IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an internationally recognised English language proficiency test developed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. It tests listening, reading, writing and speaking skills, and is accepted by over 12,000 organisations in more than 140 countries, including academic institutions, government agencies and businesses. IELTS is widely used for higher education, employment and migration purposes.