1:1 IELTS Coaching · Free Level Check · Inquire via KakaoTalk →

About

Brian

14years at Pagoda

IELTS Specialist Instructor (2010–2024)

9.0 IELTS Perfect-Score Holder & Instructor Verified Pagoda InstructorVerify on Pagoda's official instructor directory

I taught IELTS at Pagoda Academy - Gangnam for 14 years. In that time I sat with hundreds of students through the frustration of a score that just wouldn't move — and got to celebrate with them when it finally did. What those years taught me is that everyone gets stuck in a different place.

Now I teach one-to-one, combining the structured curriculum I built at Pagoda with the flexibility only fully tailored 1:1 coaching allows. With my full attention on one person, we catch and fix the small weak points a group class tends to miss.

Teaching Method

Before the first lesson, a free level check shows where you stand and what's holding you back. We start with the area where your score can climb fastest — so you feel real progress early — then use that momentum to lift every section, step by step.

Coaching

1:1 Online IELTS Coaching

Fully personalized 1:1 coaching taught by a Band 9.0 ex-Pagoda instructor — live on Zoom, wherever you are.

  • Free trial lesson
  • 1:1 consultation on your goal and level
  • Flexible schedule · 100% online (Zoom)

Student Reviews

Real score-improvement results

My writing was stuck at 5.5 for half a year and I'd nearly given up. He pinpointed exactly what was wrong with my essays, and I improved visibly with every correction.

김민지

Study in Canada

Writing 5.5 → 7.0

Writing 5.5 → 7.0

My mind used to go blank just thinking about Speaking. Practising under real exam conditions every week, I wasn't nervous for the first time — and hearing that my phrasing had become natural made my day.

이서준

Master's in the UK

Speaking 6.0 → 7.5

Speaking 6.0 → 7.5

Registration required a minimum in all four skills. By tackling my weaker areas first, I passed on the first try. Truly grateful.

박지영

Nursing registration, Australia

All four bands 6.0+

네 영역 모두 6.0+

Honestly I never expected an 8.0. Writing 7.5 is a score I could never have reached on my own — the way I see argument structure completely changed.

정우진

PhD applications, US

Writing 7.5

Writing 7.5

I always ran out of time on Reading. After learning the right question order and scanning technique, I actually started finishing early. Genuinely surprising :)

최수아

Exchange program

Reading 6.0 → 7.5

Reading 6.0 → 7.5

I was in a rush for my immigration score. He got me to my target in a month — General Training needs its own strategy, and his prep was spot on.

강현우

Immigration to Canada

One-month intensive

한 달 단기 준비

I needed Speaking fast for interviews at an international company. It wasn't just the score — I genuinely started speaking more freely, which helped in the interview too.

윤하은

Job at a global firm

Speaking confidence

Speaking 자신감

Working full-time, I couldn't make it to a hagwon. Evening Zoom lessons took the pressure off — for a busy professional, online 1:1 is the answer.

J

Office worker · promotion

4 hrs/week, online

주 4시간 비대면

After failing twice my confidence was gone, but he stayed calm and worked through it with me. I finally hit my target on the third try. So glad I didn't quit.

한도윤

University transfer

Passed on the 3rd attempt

세 번째 시험에 성공

He gave me a clear structure for Writing Task 2, so writing no longer felt overwhelming. It felt like learning how to actually write, not just memorizing a template.

서민재

Graduate school

Writing Task 2 structure

Writing Task 2 구조

Being UKVI, even registration was confusing versus the regular test, but he guided me from start to finish. My score came out even higher than my goal.

임채원

UK visa

Guided from registration

접수부터 안내

I didn't have much time, studying while working. Having weekly homework and review materials waiting in the portal kept me on track.

오세훈

Permanent residency, Australia

Studied while working

직장 병행

Needing 7.0 in every skill felt impossible — Writing especially. He built a different strategy for each section, and in the end I cleared 7.0 across the board.

K

Nurse registration, Australia

7.0 in every band

각 영역 7.0 달성

I needed a high score for a scholarship, and an 8.0 came through — so grateful. I really felt how detailed feedback makes the difference.

노유나

Overseas scholarship

Met scholarship cutoff

장학금 조건 충족

Speaking 7.5 is the best score of my life, haha. The biggest lesson was that content and flow matter more than accent.

문지호

Job in Canada

Speaking 7.5

Speaking 7.5

My Listening was always off by a question or two. Building the habit of predicting before listening sharpened my accuracy a lot.

배수빈

Preparing to study abroad

Listening prediction habit

Listening 예측 습관

Living outside the city, it was hard to find a good IELTS teacher. Because it's online, I could take top-quality lessons regardless of where I live.

신예은

Study abroad

Rural area, fully online

지방 거주, 비대면

Reaching my target score genuinely moved me — it showed that standing by the results is sincere, not just marketing.

조민석

Reached the goal

Overall 7.5

Reached target score

Having replay videos in the portal meant I could re-watch on my commute. Even with a busy schedule, I could keep up.

황지우

Office worker

Used replay videos

복습 영상 활용

Being abroad, I worried about time zones, but he worked around mine so lessons were easy. The same quality wherever you are is a huge advantage.

유진

Graduate school

Across time zones

해외에서 시차 맞춰

Everyone says going from Writing 6 to 7 is the hardest jump. Fixing it sentence by sentence together, I finally got my 7.

권나라

Pharmacy transfer

Writing 6 → 7

Writing 6 → 7

Preparing while seeing patients, I had almost no time. Focusing only on the essentials made it perfect for a busy professional.

익명

Professional · overseas license

Efficient, time-poor

바쁜 일정, 효율 학습

I'd been stuck at 6.5 elsewhere before switching over. For the first time I got a real diagnosis of why I wasn't improving — once the fog cleared, the score followed.

장하늘

Study in Australia

6.5 → 7.0 after switching

재수강 후 향상

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I ask about lessons and availability?
Availability and details are shared personally in a consultation. I recommend starting with a free trial lesson to check the fit before you commit — just reach out on KakaoTalk or by email.
What score can I realistically reach?
Most students aim for 6.5 to 7.5+. The curriculum is built around your starting level and goal, so we focus precisely on what you need to improve.
Are lessons online or in person?
Lessons are one-on-one online via Zoom, so you can join from anywhere in Korea or abroad, with flexible scheduling.
Academic or General Training — which do you cover?
Both. I coach IELTS Academic and General Training across all four skills — Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking — tailored to study-abroad, immigration, or career goals.
How are materials provided?
You get a private student portal with class notes, homework, lesson videos, and downloadable handouts (PDF) — organized per class so reviewing is easy.
What is Brian's background?
Brian holds an IELTS Band 9.0 (perfect score) and taught IELTS full-time for 14 years at Pagoda Academy - Gangnam — verifiable on his official Pagoda instructor profile.
How do I get started?
Message the KakaoTalk open chat and we start with a free level check and a 30-minute consultation to assess your level and map out a study plan.

Contact

Get in touch

You can start with a free trial lesson and a 30-minute consultation. Send your target score and availability and I'll take it from there.

KakaoTalk Open Chat

The fastest way to reach me. Tap the button or scan the QR code.

Brian IELTS KakaoTalk open chat QR code Message on KakaoTalk →
Not sure what to write? Send something like this
Hi — I'd like to ask about 1:1 IELTS tutoring.
Target: Overall 7.0 (Writing 6.5)
Current level: 6.0 (taken May 2026)
Test planned: December 2026
Availability: weekday evenings

Or search ID gammabrian on KakaoTalk

Email

Consultations and trial classes are also welcome by email. Include your target score and availability.

Send an email →

pagodabrian@gmail.com