1. English language requirements in immigration Focus on IELTS
UKNARIC Annual Conference 2009

2. Aims
To give staff working with English language assessment an understanding of:
PBS & English language requirements in Tier 4
What makes IELTS a proven, fit-for-purpose high quality assessment of English language ability
Assessing English language ability
IELTS format, content and scores
Test Report Form (TRF) Verification Service

3. The importance of language skills
English language proficiency – a necessary standard
Required by:
Employers
Professional registration bodies
Education institutions
Incorporated into the Points Based System (PBS)

4. What is IELTS? The ‘International English Language Testing System’
Jointly managed by 3 partners:
Experts in language testing internationally
20th anniversary!

5. What does IELTS do?
“Designed to assess the English language ability of people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication”
Test of communicative proficiency in English
Original 4 skills test covering:
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking

6. The increasing popularity of IELTS

7. Candidate top destinations 2008

8. Proven track record Tried, tested and proven for over 20 years
Over 6000 recognising organisations worldwide

9. Comprehensively researched
Research and Validation Unit:
Maintaining quality
Continuity and innovation
Ongoing research programmes

10. Successful communication involves interaction

11. Face-to-face speaking test.

12. Globally accessible and convenient
Tests administered at centres and venues worldwide
Up to 48 test dates per year (4 per month)
Results released 13 days after test
TRF can be sent directly to receiving organisations

13. Question Paper Production
3 – 4 years to develop one item (question) - rigorous standards applied
Item writers in Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA and now Canada
Content sourced globally
Topics or language context which may introduce a bias against any group are avoided

14. General Training Reading General Training Writing
Test Format
Listening
30 minutes, 4 sections, 40 items
General Training Reading
60 minutes, 3 sections, 40 items
Academic Reading
General Training Writing
60 minutes, 2 tasks
Academic Writing
Speaking
minutes, 3 parts

15. Tier 4 and English language
PBS
Tier 4 and English language

16. Tier 4 – sponsors role
Tier 4 sponsors = licensed educational institutions
Sponsor assesses student qualifications
No English language requirement by UKBA
English language ability should be considered by sponsor when assessing qualifications
Satisfactory qualifications = sponsor issues Confirmation of Acceptance for Study or Visa Letter
Unconditional offer for place on a course

17. Tier 4 – students role
Student sends UKBA their visa application including:
Photos, passport, identity card (if applicable) etc
Proof of the availability of maintenance funds
CAS reference number or visa letter (unconditional offer)
Original certificates (or transcripts of results) of qualifications assessed by the sponsor in order to assign CAS / issue visa letter - includes proof of English language ability if assessed by sponsor

18. Let’s discuss
When assessing student qualifications for Tier 4, how do you assess their English language ability?
How important is English ability to their success at your institution?
What do your students need to be able to do in English / what activities do they need to be involved in?

19. How does English ability relate to an IELTS Score?
9 band scores:
9 – expert user
8 – very good user
7 – good user
6 – competent user
5 – modest user
4 – limited user
3 – extremely limited user
2 – intermittent user
1 – non user

20. Mini assessment!
We will watch three short clips of candidates at three different IELTS levels
Discuss:
What impressed you in terms of their ability?
What do you think limited their ability?
What IELTS score do you think they are?

21. IELTS Band Score Quiz
6.5 5
4.5
Reveal

22. Your thoughts
Think again about what your students need to be able to do in English / what activities do they need to be involved in.
Discuss:
What’s a realistic score to set?
How do your think these candidates would cope at your institution and what type of course would suit them best?
Have the clips made you reassess your English language requirements?

23. Ensuring you are assessing genuine qualifications
IELTS Test Report Form Verification service

24. On-line TRF Verification Service
Log in at and click on TRF Query

25. Enter the TRF number

26. A match is found

27. No match found

28. Test Report Form
(TRF)
What security features of a TRF do you know about and look for?

29. Contact us IELTScommunications@britishcouncil.org
Carly Moulding – IELTS Stakeholder Relations Manager
Chris Chivers – IELTS Client Relations Officer

30. Thank you!