It's that time of the year when Indian students, in a quest to pursue higher education abroad, are frantically looking at universities, countries and more. An unavoidable element of this journey is an English proficiency test. If IELTS is your choice, as it was for over 1.2 million people last financial year, then the test-conducting body, IDP Education, is here to banish any question or query you might have about the exam.
IELTS or, the International English Language Testing System, was inducted more than 30 years ago and today, has established itself as THE proficiency test. Not only that, it is internationally accepted by several countries including the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. When the future is at stake, one can easily get hounded by rueful questions.
Hence, Edex-Live spoke to Piyush Kumar, Regional Director - South Asia and Mauritius, IDP Education, who currently oversees the IELTS examinations in India, seeking answers to the many queries that might haunt an aspirant. Excerpts from an interview
How does IELTS differentiate itself from other English proficiency tests?
IELTS is the most widely recognised English language proficiency test. This is primarily due to its unique features, such as a strong global reputation. Another remarkable feature of IELTS is its adaptability. It is available in both paper and computer formats that accommodate diverse test takers' preferences. A noteworthy distinction also lies in its assessment process which includes a combination of computerised marking and human expertise. Certified English experts evaluate IELTS tests (Writing and Speaking) by following global marking standards.
For non-native English speakers or those who did not study English as their first language, how equitable is the IELTS?
IELTS provides a fair and accurate representation of a test taker's English language abilities. The test is developed using a comprehensive and rigorous process that involves language assessment experts from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. The test content reflects real-life situations and maintains impartiality and fairness for all test takers, regardless of their background. One of the sections in IELTS is Speaking. Many non-native English speakers may have a mother-tongue influence on their language when speaking in English. When trained professionals examine the IELTS Speaking test, they ensure that a person is marked on the correct English usage and not on the n a t i v e a c c e n t influence. IDP mails the test preparation book to the candidates once they have booked the test. https://ielts.cambridgeconnect. org/ provides free test prep material and paid packages at nominal prices.
IELTS has been evolving with the changing times. What other changes are in the offing in the near future?
IELTS is a dynamic test constantly evolving to meet the needs of its users. With its constant endeavour to make the test more convenient for the candidates, it has developed One Skill Retake (OSR). OSR will allow the candidate to retake any one section of the test if they are not satisfied with the score of that skill rather than taking the entire test. OSR has received an extremely positive response in Australia and will be soon launched in India as well.
Considering the increasing globalisation where English serves as the de facto lingua franca, what is the role of proficiency tests in the future? How can these tests evolve to maintain their relevance in such a context?
In the context of growing global interconnectedness, where English has become the universal means of communication, the role of proficiency tests holds great significance for the future. These tests must evolve to maintain their relevance in this changing landscape. IELTS continues to evaluate itself and make necessary changes as per the changing times. The IELTS test emphasises four key test qualities: validity, reliability, impact, and practicality. Over more than 30 years, a collaborative effort involving academics, administrators, educators, and practitioners worldwide has refined these qualities through extensive research. The IELTS research programme, jointly funded by IELTS partners- IDP: IELTS Australia and the British Council, ensures an ongoing relationship with the broader linguistics and language testing community.
THREE MODULES FOR IELTS
IELTS Academic: It is designed to help those who want to pursue an undergraduate or higher course. It assesses a candidate’s ability to understand and use complex academic language, such as those used in academic lectures, textbooks, and research papers.
General Training: One should opt for this module if one seeks employment abroad or wants to migrate to any 150+ countries IELTS is accepted, including Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. It assesses a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in various social and workplace contexts, such as conversations with colleagues, written correspondence, and simple reports.
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): UKVI is a test for those candidates who plan to move to the UK. It has the same test format, content, scoring, and level of difficulty as the IELTS. The only difference is that an IELTS for UKVI test is approved by the UK Home Office for work, study, and migration purposes
IELTS, over 30 years of making a mark: Tips for non-native English speakers:
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