IELTS (pronounced /'aıjelts/) stands for 'International English Language Testing System'. It is a test of English language proficiency. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States It is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the British Council and IDP Education Australia, and was established in 1989. The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University) located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the The British Council is a Public Body of the United Kingdom Government which specialises in educational and development opportunities IDP Education Pty Ltd IDP Education Pty Ltd ( IDP) is a global company offering student placement English language testing training services and management
There are two versions of the IELTS: the Academic Version and the General Training Version:
- The Academic Version is intended for those who want to enroll in universities and other institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want to study or practise in an English-speaking country. Higher education is Education that is provided by universities, vocational universities, Community colleges Liberal arts colleges
- The General Training Version is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes. Work experience is the Experience that a person has working or working in a specific field or occupation Immigration refers to the movement of people among countries While the movement of people has existed throughout human history at various levels modern immigration implies long-term
IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions, by an increasing number of academic institutions in the United States, and by various professional organizations. It is also a requirement for immigration to Australia and Canada. This has been criticised in Canada, because the British accents employed in the Listening section of the IELTS are far removed from typical Canadian accents.
An IELTS result or Test Report Form (TRF - see below) is valid for two years.
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IELTS characteristics
The IELTS incorporates the following features:
- A variety of accents and writing styles presented in text materials in order to minimise linguistic bias. In Linguistics, an accent is a manner of Pronunciation of a language
- Band scores used for each language sub-skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking). The Band Scale ranges from 1 ("Non User") to 9 ("Expert User").
- The speaking module - a key component of IELTS. This is conducted in the form of a one-to-one interview with an examiner. The examiner assesses the candidate as he or she is speaking, but the speaking session is also recorded for monitoring as well as re-marking in case of an appeal against the banding given.
- IELTS is developed with input from item writers from around the world. Teams are located in the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and other English speaking nations.
IELTS Test Structure
All candidates must complete four Modules - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking - to obtain a Band, which is shown on an IELTS Test Report Form (TRF). All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules, while the Reading and Writing Modules differ depending on whether the candidate is taking the Academic or General Training Versions of the Test.
Total Test Duration 2 hours 45 minutes
The first three modules - Listening, Reading and Writing (always in that order) - are completed in one day, and in fact are taken with no break in between. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test center, in the period seven days before or after the other Modules.
The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user to expert user.
Band Scale
IELTS is scored on a nine band scale, with each band corresponding to a specified competence in English. The Band Scores are in either whole or half Bands. The nine bands are described as follows:
9 Expert User
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding
8 Very Good User
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
7 Good User
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriateness and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
6 Competent User
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
5 Modest User
Has a partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. The candidate should be able to handle basic communication in his or her own field.
4 Limited User
Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in using complex language.
3 Extremely Limited User
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2 Intermittent User
No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in
1 Non User
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
0 No Original English Used
No assessable information provided. This Band is used where the candidate fails to attend for the test or, more rarely, is unable to provide any English beyond obviously memorised strings.
Locations and test dates
There are more than 450 test locations worldwide. The number of candidates has grown from about 80,000 in 1999 to close to a million in 2007. The top three locations in which candidates took the test in 2007 were Mainland China, India and the United Kingdom for the Academic Category, and Pakistan, India, Mainland China and Australia for the General Training Category. Mainland China, Continental China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term synonymous with the area that is under the jurisdiction India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Mainland China, Continental China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term synonymous with the area that is under the jurisdiction For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics.
There are up to 48 test dates available per year. Each test centre offers tests up to four times a month depending on local demand. The month is a unit of Time, used with Calendars which is approximately as long as some natural period related to the motion of the Moon;
IELTS level for admission to academic institutions
IELTS minimum levels required by institutions vary according to the particular college or school and country. As a rule, institutions from English-speaking countries require a higher IELTS band than those from non English-speaking countries. According to the IELTS official site [1] the highest IELTS Band required by a University is 8. 5, with only two institutions, both from the U. S. : the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University and the Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University. Columbia University is a private University in the United States and a member of the Ivy League. The Ohio State University ( OSU) is a Coeducational public Research university in the state of Ohio. The highest IELTS Band required by institutions from the United Kingdom is 7. 5.
Most IELTS requirements by Universities are between 5. 5 and 7. 0. For example, Liverpool University requires 7. 5, Cambridge University 7. The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University) located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the 0 and Birmingham University 6. The University of Birmingham (informally Birmingham University) is a British red brick University located in the city of Birmingham 0 as the minimum levels, Essex University requires minimum 5. 5. In Germany, Stuttgart University requires an IELTS minimum of 6. The University of Stuttgart ( German Universität Stuttgart) is a university located in Stuttgart, Germany. 0.
Sources
See also
- TOEFL
- TOEIC
- English as an additional language
- UBELT University of Bath English Language Test. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (or TOEFLs, pronounced "toe-full" or sometimes "toy-ful" evaluates the potential success of an individual to use Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC measures the ability of non-native English-speaking examinees to use English in everyday workplace activities TEFL or teaching English as a foreign language refers to teaching English to Students whose First language is not English and The University of Bath is a Campus university located in Bath, England.
- University of Cambridge ESOL examination
External links
- Official IELTS Web Site
- Global Recognition System - search online for organizations recognizing IELTS
- More on IELTS Test Structure
- Online IELTS study guide
- IELTS training Web Site
- ESL examinations at the Open Directory Project
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