Testing your language skills

Updated on: Tuesday, April 28, 2009

During the last two weeks, this column discussed the diverse aspects of TOEFL. There are other tests that assess and confirm a vast range of English language skills. Two such popular tests are IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication). The body that conducts TOEFL conducts TOEIC as well. But TOEIC is not popular in India. Let us look at IELTS, which is widely held in our country, in some detail.

IELTS assesses the language ability of candidates, whose native language is not English, who have to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. The system covers four language skills—listening, reading, writing and speaking. IELTS is recognised by universities, employers, immigration authorities, government agencies and professional bodies in many countries, including the U.K., Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Over 2,000 U.S. universities and professional bodies also accept IELTS scores, even though TOEFL is more popular in that country. IELTS is being administered in more than a hundred countries. The test is not recommended for candidates under the age of 16.
Two formats

IELTS has two formats—general training and academic.

The general training reading and writing tests do not test the full span of language skills necessary for academic purposes. They stress on basic skills that are required in everyday life. ‘General Training’ is good for candidates who go to English-speaking countries to complete their secondary education, to undertake work experience or training programmes below the degree level. It would be of help in immigration.

The academic reading and writing tests evaluate our competence to undertake undergraduate or postgraduate studies in the English medium. The scores in these tests often count for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses. If we plan to study abroad at the graduate level or beyond, we may take the academic format. We can check with the college or university where we intend to study and confirm the IELS format and the acceptable band of scores.

All the candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. The listening and speaking modules are common to both the formats. But the reading and the writing parts are different.
Elements of the test

•Listening (common to both the modules)

Time: 30 minutes

You listen to a number of recorded texts. These cover monologues and conversations in different English accents. The recording is heard only once. You are given time to read the questions and write down the answers. The questions may be of types such as multiple choice; short answer; sentence completion; note, summary, flow-chart, table completion; labelling a diagram; classification; or matching. Further, questions may cover identification of writer’s views or claims (yes, no, not given); identification of information in the text (true, false, not given) and matching lists and phrases.

•General training reading

Time: 60 minutes

The texts are based on the type of material you would find in daily life in an English speaking country. They are drawn from newspapers, advertisements, instruction manuals or books. They test your ability to grasp and use the information. The test includes one longer descriptive text. The general training reading has three sections with 40 items.

•General training writing

Time: 60 minutes. There are two tasks.

In Task 1, you have to write a letter of approximately 150 words either asking for information or explaining a situation.

In Task 2, you have to write a short essay of approximately 250 words. The essay would be in response to a statement or question. You should prove your ability to present a stand, build up an argument and discuss concerns.

•Academic reading

Time: 60 minutes

There are three reading passages with specific tasks. The passages would be from books, magazines, journals or newspapers. The text would not contain matter meant for any specialist group; but there may be a detailed argument.

•Academic writing

Time: 60 minutes. There are two tasks.

In Task 1, you have to write a report of approximately 150 words. The material for the report will have to be drawn from a chart, table, graph or diagram. You should prove your ability to present information effectively. You may have to summarise the contents of the input. In Task 2, you have to write a short essay of approximately 250 words based on a statement or question. You should prove your ability to present a stand, build up an argument, and discuss concerns of a complex nature.

•Speaking

Time: 11-14 minutes

You take part in a face to face interview. Your skill in spoken English will be evaluated based on various as

Testing your language skills

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