ielts-learning-planner

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name: ielts-learning-planner
description: Build a personalised IELTS study plan with weekly schedules, skill-specific drills, and progress milestones. Use this skill when the user wants a study plan, asks how to prepare for IELTS, wants to know how to allocate study time across the four skills, or asks how to improve from their current band to their target band. Also use when the user asks how to use academic paper reading to improve IELTS Reading, wants to integrate reading research papers into their IELTS prep, or asks for a paper-reading routine. Integrates with ielts-reading-strategies, ielts-writing-task1, ielts-writing-task2, ielts-speaking-coach, and ielts-vocabulary-builder.
---

# IELTS Learning Planner

A study plan is only useful if it is calibrated to the gap between the current band and the target, the time available, and the user's weakest skills. Generic plans waste time on strengths and ignore real gaps.

## Use this when

- The user wants a structured IELTS study plan.
- The user asks how to allocate study time across Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking.
- The user wants to integrate academic paper reading into their IELTS preparation.
- The user asks how to move from a specific current band to a target band.
- The user asks for a daily or weekly schedule.

## Do not use this when

- The user wants feedback on a specific essay or speaking response — route to the relevant writing or speaking skill.
- The user wants vocabulary for a specific topic — use `ielts-vocabulary-builder`.
- The user wants strategy for a specific question type — use `ielts-reading-strategies`.

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## Step 1 — Diagnostic

Before building a plan, establish:

| Question | Why it matters |
|----------|----------------|
| Current band (overall and per skill) | Identifies the gap and which skills to prioritise |
| Target band | Determines how aggressive the plan needs to be |
| Test date / weeks available | Sets the timeline and intensity |
| Study hours available per week | Determines what is realistic |
| Weakest skill | Gets the most allocated time |
| Academic or General Training | Different Reading/Writing demands |

If the user has not taken a test, ask them to estimate based on a practice test, or assume Band 5 as a starting point.

**Typical band gaps and realistic timelines:**

| Gap | Realistic timeframe (full-time study ~15 hrs/week) |
|-----|----------------------------------------------------|
| +0.5 band | 4–6 weeks |
| +1.0 band | 8–12 weeks |
| +1.5 bands | 16–20 weeks |
| +2.0 bands | 6–12 months |

Progress is rarely linear — Reading and Listening tend to respond faster than Writing and Speaking.

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## Step 2 — Skill Prioritisation

### Overall band score calculation

The four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) are averaged and rounded to the nearest 0.5. A gain in any single skill lifts the overall band.

> To set realistic per-skill targets and explain what each band requires, use the band-descriptor reference: [`references/ielts-band-descriptors.md`](references/ielts-band-descriptors.md) (bands 5–9 across the Writing and Speaking criteria, with links to the official IELTS descriptors).

**Triage logic:**

1. Find the skill(s) furthest below the target — these get the most time.
2. Never completely neglect any skill, even strong ones — they decay without practice.
3. Writing improves slowest (requires examiner feedback cycles); start writing early.
4. Reading responds well to volume and strategy work — high ROI per hour.
5. Listening responds to regular exposure; daily short sessions beat weekly marathons.
6. Speaking improves with frequency — short daily practice beats one long weekly session.

**Suggested time allocation by weak skill:**

| Weakest skill | Suggested weekly split |
|---------------|----------------------|
| Writing | Writing 35% / Reading 25% / Listening 25% / Speaking 15% |
| Reading | Reading 35% / Writing 25% / Listening 25% / Speaking 15% |
| Speaking | Speaking 35% / Writing 25%