UKNARIC
conference
Understanding
IELTS scores
explanation and practical
exercise
www.ielts.org
The context…
• English language is becoming an increasingly important
part of the Points Based System – student and worker
• Tier 1 Highly Skilled, and Tier 2 Sponsored Skilled
Workers, need mandatory 10 points for English Language
• 3 ways to achieve this - one is to take an approved English
language test
• As an employer or professional association it’s important to
understand more about the tests used and the levels set by
UKBA
www.ielts.org
Aims of the workshop
• To understand the IELTS band score system and scoring
criteria, with particular focus on the bands most typically
used for immigration
What do these scores actually mean!?
• When using IELTS yourself, to assess whether you need to
set a different standard to UKBA’s to suit the particular
needs of your company / profession
• Understand how to go about setting the most suitable
standard, with particular focus on speaking ability
www.ielts.org
Standards Setting
The process of deciding what IELTS score a candidate
would need to present before they could be allowed to
enter a particular course, register as a professional or
participate in a specific working environment etc.
www.ielts.org
IELTS Band Scores
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Expert user
Very good user
Good user
Competent user
Modest user
Limited user
Extremely limited user
Intermittent user
Non user
Did not attempt the test
www.ielts.org
The IELTS scores explained DVD
• Standards setting tool – helps you decide what is the right
score for entry onto your courses
• Helps staff who need to set language standards, or
interpret IELTS scores
www.ielts.org
www.ielts.org
Explanation of listening
and reading modules in
more detail
Sample listening audio
and questions
Sample reading texts and
questions
Explanation of how to
interpret listening and
reading scores
www.ielts.org
Explanation of writing and
speaking modules in
more detail
Explanation of marking
Band score descriptors
Sample writing scripts
and speaking clips
Examiner comments
www.ielts.org
Standards setting
Two key questions:
1. What is the minimal level of English needed?
2. How does this minimally acceptable level translate into
IELTS scores?
www.ielts.org
1. What is the minimal level of English
needed?
Spend a few minutes discussing the following:
• When assessing international applicant’s qualifications, how do
you assess their English language ability?
• How important is English ability to their success in your
profession / organisation?
• What would your international applicants need to be able to do in
English / what activities or tasks do they need to be able to do?
• What kinds of reading, writing, listening and speaking are
involved in the job and how well does someone need to be able
to do these things in order to ‘get by’? Which skills require a
higher or lower level?
www.ielts.org
2 How does this minimally
acceptable level translate into IELTS
scores?
We will view some sample video clips of Speaking
tests provided on the DVD to make judgements about
which level of performance on the test corresponds to
the minimally acceptable ability you believe is required
for your profession.
www.ielts.org
Focus on Speaking
www.ielts.org
Speaking test overview
• 11 – 14 minutes
• Part 1: candidate answers general
questions about themselves and a range of familiar topics
• Part 2: candidate speaks uninterrupted on a given topic
(prompt card and preparation time given)
• Part 3: candidate engages in discussion with examiner on
ideas and issues linked to the topic in Part 2
www.ielts.org
How are Band Scores awarded
for Speaking?
Fluency and coherence
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy
Pronunciation
www.ielts.org
Using the DVD
A practical exercise assessing speaking
1.
2.
3.
4.
Read through the band score descriptors
Watch some speaking clips
Use the score descriptors to judge the level
Discuss your opinions and suggest scores
www.ielts.org
Candidate C
www.ielts.org
Candidate C
Candidate scored:
6.5
See hand out for comments
The level required by UKBA for proof of English language
ability to be granted a Tier 1 visa
www.ielts.org
Candidate E
www.ielts.org
Candidate E
Candidate scored:
4.0
See hand out for comments
The level required by UKBA for proof of English language
ability to be granted a Tier 2 visa category General, Inter
Company Transfer or Sportsperson
www.ielts.org
Candidate A
www.ielts.org
Candidate A
Candidate scored:
5.5
See hand out for comments
The level required by UKBA for proof of English language
ability to be granted a Tier 2 visa category Minister of
Religion
www.ielts.org
Considering speaking scores
• You should now have a better understanding of what is
possible at band scores 4.0, 5.5, 6.5
• Take into account half bands
• There are more examples on the DVD – free copies from
the IELTS stand
• You can compare the criteria on each band score to the
abilities you would like your workers to have
www.ielts.org
Standards Setting within
institutions
• Check your present minimum score requirements with the
User Questionnaire
• Consider required language levels for local needs in
relation to the information provided on the IELTS scores
explained DVD
www.ielts.org
Thank you!
Questions?
Contact us: IELTScommunications@britishcouncil.org
www.ielts.org