At IH Manchester, we are always looking for ways to better support our students in reaching their target IELTS scores. We’re pleased to introduce Keenu, an AI-powered practice platform that strengthens what we already do in the classroom.
This is not about replacing teacher corrections. It is about supporting and augmenting and giving both students and teachers better tools to focus on what matters most, actual improvement.
What Is Keenu?
Keenu is an AI-powered IELTS practice platform developed in Manchester by former IELTS examiner Francis Carlisle and AI specialist Niall Beard, in collaboration with the University of Manchester.
It allows students to:
- Practise unlimited IELTS speaking and writing tasks
- Receive instant band scores
- Get detailed, practical feedback on how to improve
Testing at IH Manchester
IH Manchester has been an important part of the Keenu story from day one. The first testing of the platform was carried out with our students, and over time we have worked closely with the developers to refine it.
This collaboration has helped shape Keenu into a platform that is now intuitive, practical, and easy for both students and teachers to use in real classroom contexts.
From start to finish
From the first week of the course, students complete speaking and writing assessments on Keenu. This gives teachers a clear picture of each learner’s level straight away.
Instead of taking a general approach, teachers can begin with targeted lessons from day one, focusing on the areas each student needs most.
“We can see straight away what students need to work on, which makes our lessons much more focused from the beginning.”
Rachael Worrall, Exams Officer
Rachael Worral – Exams Officer
Fully Integrated into Lessons
Keenu is not an extra add-on. It is built into both classroom work and homework.
- Students complete weekly writing tasks and receive immediate, detailed feedback
- Teachers use this feedback in class to guide learner training
- Students learn not just what their mistakes are, but how to improve them
Speaking is also supported through regular tasks before and after lessons. This allows us to take a flipped learning approach, using real student performance to shape classroom activities.
“It’s really helpful to see common mistakes across a group. It means we can address issues that are actually affecting our students.”
Rachael Worrall
Ongoing Support Beyond the Classroom
Outside class, students continue to use Keenu for independent practice. They can complete unlimited speaking and writing tasks and receive instant feedback with band scores.
Teachers monitor this work and provide data driven support. Students also bring their feedback to our afternoon drop-in sessions, held three times a week, for one-to-one guidance.
“The drop-ins work really well alongside Keenu. Students come in with specific questions, so we can give much more focused, individual support.”
Rachael Worrall
What This Means for Students
By combining expert teaching with AI-supported practice, students benefit from:
- Regular, realistic exam practice
- Immediate, personalised feedback on speaking and writing
- Clear progress tracking towards their target score
- Greater independence through guided learner training
What This Means for Teachers
Keenu also supports more effective teaching:
- Immediate access to student performance data
- Clear insight into individual and group needs
- More focused and personalised lesson planning
A Better Learning Experience
Keenu enhances what happens in the classroom. It gives teachers better insight and gives students more opportunities to practise, reflect, and improve.
By combining technology with expert teaching, we are creating a more responsive and effective IELTS learning experience—one that helps students make real progress towards their goals.
Find out more about the IELTS preparation lessons we offer here – Our Courses
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