IELTS BUDDIES – A Personalized IELTS Learning System

Team IELTS BUDDIES with the project “IELTS BUDDIES – A Personalized IELTS Learning System”

Implemented by:

• Trinh Hoang Son (Team Leader) – Faculty of English, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam
• Le Vu Thu Thao – Faculty of English, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam
• Nguyen Phuong Thao – Faculty of International Relations, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam

Within the framework of the competition “Students with Entrepreneurial Ideas in the Field of Education 2025” organized by the Faculty of English, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Team IELTS BUDDIES introduced IELTS Buddies – a personalized IELTS learning model that combines small-group instruction, individual mentoring, and a digital learning management system (mini LMS) to support learners in achieving genuine and sustainable band score improvement.

Project Concept and Objectives

IELTS Buddies was developed from the observation that many students invest significant time and financial resources in IELTS preparation but still fail to achieve their target scores. Common challenges include large class sizes, unclear learning pathways, insufficient individual support, and excessive pressure to rely on test-taking tricks rather than real language development.

The project aims to create a supportive, transparent, and low-pressure IELTS learning environment, where learners are closely guided, clearly informed of their progress, and encouraged to develop authentic English proficiency rather than short-term exam strategies.

Solution and Key Values

IELTS Buddies operates on a small-group learning model (7–10 learners per class) with a clearly structured three-phase curriculum (Basic – Intermediate – Intensive), designed for learners across the common IELTS band range of 3.5 to 7.5.

Each class is led by a mentor with an IELTS band score of 8.0–8.5, supported by a buddy/tutor team providing 24/7 academic assistance. This structure ensures continuous guidance, timely feedback, and strong learner engagement.

A distinctive feature of the project is its mini LMS platform, which integrates:

• Attendance and class management;
• Assignment distribution and feedback;
• Transparent progress tracking across learning phases.

Through this system, learners are able to monitor their development, receive data-based feedback, and adjust their learning strategies accordingly. The project’s core message — “Real learning – Real teaching – Real results” — reflects its strong commitment to quality and learner-centered education.

Feasibility and Development Potential

IELTS Buddies is designed for immediate implementation, supported by an experienced mentor team, a complete curriculum framework, and a clearly defined operational model. Tuition fees are structured to remain affordable for students while maintaining close academic supervision comparable to high-end IELTS centers.

With flexible class sizes, manageable operational costs, and scalability through community building and referral-based growth, the project demonstrates strong sustainability and long-term development potential in the competitive IELTS preparation market.

Evaluation by the Judging Panel

IELTS Buddies received positive evaluations from the Judging Panel for its learner-centered approach, practical implementation model, and effective response to common challenges faced by IELTS learners.

As a result, Team IELTS BUDDIES was awarded the title “Project with High Creativity and Feasibility”, recognizing the project’s thoughtful design and strong potential for practical impact.