IELTS Explained
Jackie Gomes
Enriching Our Environment Presentation Summary
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System and it superseded the ELTS (English Language Testing Service) in 1990 when it came under international management. It pioneered the 4 skill areas (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) and solved the practical difficulties that ELTS was having.
The IELTS test assesses the language ability of people who need to study or work where English is the language used in communication - it is taken by well over 500 000 people every year, and is recognized by over 4000 organisations worldwide. It is used by universities and other educational institutions which offer courses taught in English. It is also used by professional bodies and immigration authorities in many countries. It is also international in terms of test delivery – available worldwide – in around 150 countries. It is available up to 4 times a month in over 300 locations in 150 countries, making it one of the most widely available English language tests in the world.
The test provides an accurate, relevant assessment of language skills, based on well- established standards and covers the full range of ability from non-user to a very high level of proficiency. All results are reported on a clear nine-band scale:
- 0-9 band scale
- 9 - expert user
- 8 - very good user
- 7 - good user
- 6 - competent user
- 5 - modest user
- 4 - limited user
- 3 - extremely limited user
- 2 - intermittent user
- 1 - non-user
- 0 - did not attempt the test
IELTS is the product of a unique international partnership:
- British Council & IDP: IELTS Australia jointly manage
- Cambridge ESOL – manages all
The 3 partners also jointly sponsor IELTS research projects IELTS is:
- a test of a candidate’s ability to communicate in English
- for people who have to work or study in countries or situations where English is the medium of communication
- a pioneer in the testing of all four language skills
- a test of international English because it tests ‘international English’, and sources of materials are also international. Publications are used from all over the Englishspeaking world, as well as on the internet
- a test that:
- has no cultural or linguistic bias in terms of content, vocabulary, or grammar
- focuses on the language areas common to all the varieties of English
- is created by test writers and editors worldwide (UK, Australia and New Zealand – may be using some in the US soon)
- uses a variety of commonly understood accents
- based on a model of communicative competence:
- purposeful
- goal-oriented
- interactive
- tasks test language skills in whole texts, not discrete-points candidates have to react to a whole text, not just complete a brief exercise
- it is a test of performance:
- it tests the ability to use language in an act of communication
- It doesn’t just test knowledge about the language.
( ** it is NOT a test of grammar or study skills)
THE TEST:
- All candidates must do all four test modules because it provides a profile of all four skills at one point in time. The Listening, Reading and Writing modules normally take 3 hours to complete. The Speaking module consists of an 11-14 minute interview
- Depending on candidates’ needs, they are able to choose between two variants of the test – Academic and General Training
- Academic IELTS is suitable for people planning to study in higher education or seeking professional registration. This option assesses whether a test taker is ready to study or train in the medium of English and is a test of general academic English. Making effective use of written texts in academic work is a skill to be learned at college or university, not one that students at all levels should be expected to possess on entry. For this reason, the IELTS test reflects some features of academic language but does not aim to stimulate academic study tasks in their entirety. This approach is widely supported by the institutions that recognize IELTS.
- General Training IELTS is suitable for test takers planning to go to Englishspeaking countries to undertake non-academic training or work experience, or for immigration purposes. This option emphasises survival skills in a broad social and educational context.
(note that all candidates do the same Listening and Speaking and the Speaking module can be taken up to one week earlier or later than the List, Read, and Writ. This module is performed as an interview with a certified IELTS Speaking Examiner.)
International teams of writers contribute to IELTS test materials, and IELTS invests heavily in on-going research to ensure that IELTS remains fair and unbiased – wherever and whenever the test is taken. IELTS encourages, reflects and respects international diversity and is fair to anyone who sits the test, regardless of nationality, background, gender or lifestyle. The rigorous processes used to produce the test materials ensure that every version of the test is of a comparable level of difficulty, so that candidates’ results are consistent wherever and whenever they take the test.
IELTS test takers, and the organisations which rely on IELTS test results, benefit from IELTS’ continuing investment in quality assurance, research, and development to ensure that the test remains robust and relevant.
Candidates are mailed their results 13 days following a test. They cannot receive their results by phone or email for security reasons.
Test centres in Alberta:
1) Global Village Calgary
#200, 515 1st Street SE
Calgary, AB T2G 2G6
1-403-441-4375
2) Off-site centre for GV Calgary:
Grant MacEwan College, Alberta College Campus
Edmonton, AB
(all test registration is done through GV Calgary)
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- IELTS website: www.ielts.org
- IELTS Calgary: www.ieltscalgary.ca