IELTS: International English Language Testing System

IELTS is owned by Cambridge ESOL, the British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. Over 1.4 million people a year use IELTS to open doors throughout the English-speaking world.

- Who is it for?

For people who want to work, study or live in an English speaking country and for those not seeking a specific level proficiency test, but place him/herself in a level of linguistic competence.

- What is the exam like?

In IELTS, there are four papers: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview with a certified Examiner. It is interactive and as close to a real-life situation as a test can get. IELTS recognises both British and American English in terms of spelling, grammar and choice of words. It also incorporates a mix of native speaker accents from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and US in the Listening component.

There are two different IELTS modules: Academic and General Training. The Speaking and Listening tests are the same in both modules, but the Reading and Writing tests are different.

Academic module – choose this if you wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, or if you are seeking professional registration, e.g. doctors and nurses.

General Training module – choose this if you wish to migrate to an English-speaking country, (e.g. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK) or if you wish to train or study at undergraduate level.

The IELTS scoring system is recognised globally. Test takers receive a score of 0–9, with 0 being for those who did not attempt the test, and 9 being for the most proficient users. Most universities accept scores between 6 and 7 as being suitable for undergraduate studies in English.

- Who accepts the scores?

IELTS is recognised by more than 6,000 organisations worldwide. Educational institutions, along with employers and government immigration agencies are examples. Some specific examples would be: Philips,
Harvard Business School,
University of Cambridge,
International Monetary Fund,
University of Western Australia and
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

- How much is it?

In Spain the IELTS is administered by the British Council, and it costs 193€ as of January 2013.

3.3 Trinity Exams

Trinity College London is an international exam board providing regulated qualifications in English language, music, performing and creative arts throughout the world. Trinity has been conducting exams since 1877 and now over half a million people take one of their exams every year.

Trinity’s exams in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) are organised into five suites. These share a common philosophy, but provide learners with the opportunity to choose a qualification which most suits their individual needs.

Trinity has been setting standards and testing English for Speakers of Other Languages for more than 70 years and their qualifications are accepted by universities and employers worldwide.

For information on examination centres and prices go to http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk

Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE)

-Who is it for?

This series of 12 progressively graded examinations is designed for speakers of languages other than English and sets realistic objectives in listening to and speaking with English speakers. The 12 grades provide a continuous measure of linguistic competence and take the learner from absolute beginner (Grade 1) to full mastery (Grade 12).

A major benefit of a graded examination system is that it provides a motivational tool with which to encourage learners to develop and progress by acknowledging small steps. All learners make progress at different rates, and a graded system ensures that at every stage of their development there is an opportunity for them to mark that progress.

There is a Graded Examination in Spoken English appropriate to all learners, whatever their level of ability in communicating in English.

-What is the exam like?

The examinations take the form of a one-to-one, face-to-face oral interview between the candidate and an examiner who is a native speaker of English. The examination at each stage, and with increasing demands at each grade, replicates real-life exchanges in which the candidate and the examiner pass on information, share ideas and opinions and debate topical issues.

Assessment summary

Tasks

The Conversation:

This is an opportunity for a realistic exchange of information, ideas and opinions.

The Topic:

Before the examination the candidate prepares a topic of his or her own choice and in the examination this is used as a basis for the discussion.

The Interactive task:

An initial prompt from the examiner gives rise to an interaction controlled and maintained by the candidate.

The Listening task:

Three short spoken passages prompt the use of high level listening skills, such as deduction, prediction and inference.

Candidate assessment

The assessment of each Task fulfilment criterion is based on the following factors:

Coverage of the communicative skills listed

Coverage of the language functions

Coverage of the grammatical, lexical and phonological items listed

Accuracy in the use of the grammatical, lexical and phonological items listed

Appropriacy of the grammatical, lexical and phonological item used

Fluency and promptness of response appropriate for the grade

The examiner assesses the candidate’s performance in each phase of the examination by awarding a letter grade A (Distinction,) B (Merit,) C (Pass,) D (Fail.)

Integrated Skills in English (ISE)

-Who is it for?

The intended candidate is a young person or adult, typically at secondary school or college who is using English as a second or foreign language as part of their studies in order to develop their skills and improve their knowledge of a range of subject areas. The typical ISE candidate is aged between 11 and 19, but may be older. The candidate, at the lower levels of the exam (ISE Foundation and ISE I), would generally be a young person or adult in school or college who would be taking ISE as part of their preparation for entrance into university or as evidence to progress to a higher level of English study within their mainstream or English language school. At the higher levels of the exam (ISE II and ISE III) the candidates are young people or adults preparing for further education where they are required to prove their English language proficiency levels within an educational context.

-What is the exam like?

Trinity’s Integrated Skills in English (ISE) exams assess all four language skills — reading, writing, speaking and listening. In different parts of the exam, language skills are tested in an integrated way, which reflects how skills are used in real-life settings.

ISE is taken in two modules — Speaking & Listening and Reading & Writing. Once the two modules have been passed at the same level, a certificate for the full qualification is awarded. The four skills are assessed both independently and in an integrated way:

Framework

ISE Foundation to ISE III are targeted to align with recognised levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages (Council of Europe 2001) as follows:

Spoken English for Work (SEW)

-Who is it for?

Trinity’s Spoken English for Work (SEW) exams provide a reliable and valid scheme of assessment that measures progress and development of English language use in a work context. The four levels provide a measure of linguistic competence from intermediate to advanced levels, B1 to C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (2001). The overall focus of the suite is to provide a valid exam of communication in English through tasks based on real-life activities experienced in the world of work.

A candidate who has successfully passed SEW B1 can:

understand the main points of clear speech on familiar work-related matters

enter into conversation and exchange information on familiar work-related subjects of personal interest or related to everyday life

demonstrate a sufficient range of language to describe experiences and events and give reasons and explanations for plans.

This profile is based on the level Independent User, B1, of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference.

-What is the exam like?

The exam consists of three tasks for SEW B1, or five tasks for SEW B2, B2+ and C1. All tasks are a one-to-one communication between the candidate and the examiner. The first part of the exam is a telephone conversation between the examiner and the candidate and the remaining tasks are face to face.

Subject areas for the Discussion task

One subject area for conversation will be selected by the examiner from the list below.

Different workplaces

Jobs and people

Money

Internet and work

Work and study

After-work activities

The aim of the Telephone task is to have a work-related telephone conversation that reflects a typical real-life telephone conversation in the world of work. There is a problem or issue to discuss.

ESOL Step 1 and 2

-Who is it for?

Trinity offers ESOL Step 1 and Step 2 examinations, which lead up to the main Trinity ESOL Skills for Life examination suite. Step 1 and Step 2 examinations are designed for candidates whose ability to communicate in English is at a basic level and who, therefore, are not ready to take the Trinity ESOL Skills for Life main suite examinations. The examinations allow candidates to demonstrate their abilities and proficiency in speaking English while working towards qualifications, which are on the National Qualifications Framework. Each Step examination is conducted in person by a Trinity examiner. The examination consists of an unscripted one-to-one conversation with the examiner in a designated examination room. Candidates are given the opportunity to demonstrate their English language communication skills. This examination is often taken by people who have emigrated to an English speaking country.

-What is the exam like?

The examiner begins by greeting the candidate and trying to set him or her at ease.

The conversation is then initiated by the examiner who gives the candidate the opportunity to demonstrate the range of language required at this stage both through speech and actions.

During the conversation, the candidate is required to display understanding through gesture and simple actions, such as moving or pointing to specific objects, and by giving short responses.

Examiners select materials appropriate to the candidate. These could include everyday objects and pictures, which are used to engage the candidate’s interest, elicit the language of the level and encourage the conversation to develop. The examiner may also refer to the immediate surroundings of the examination room or centre.

The examiner brings the conversation to an end by thanking the candidate and saying goodbye. The candidate is expected to say goodbye.

ESOL Skills for Life (QCF)

Trinity ESOL Skills for Life qualifications are for people aged 16 and over who live in the UK and need English for everyday life and for work. They are designed to help people progress into mainstream English education and employment.

-What is the exam like?

Speaking and Listening assessments take the form of a one-to-one conversation, plus a small group discussion (up to three people) facilitated by a Trinity examiner.

The reading assessments and writing assessments take the form of a formal exam paper taken under controlled exam conditions.

-An inclusive approach

A range of both work-related and non-work related discussion topics ensures our exams are inclusive and relevant to every student.

Group discussion assessments are limited to a maximum of three people facilitated by a Trinity examiner, so all candidates can participate in full.

Trinity assessment tasks are based on the way English is used in real life — so preparing for our tests is an authentic and motivating experience for students.