IELTS on computer: What has changed for ESL teachers?
by IDP IELTS — May 29th, 2019
Over the last 30 years, IELTS has become the leading English language test for international mobility. The number of IELTS tests grew to a record-breaking 3.5 million in 2018 which coincided with the launch of computer-delivered IELTS in New Zealand. The new format has proven popular among test takers.
IELTS in New Zealand
IELTS is recognised around the world and is accepted by more than 10,000 organisations in over 140 countries as proof of English language ability. This includes employers, educational institutions and immigration agencies. In fact, it is used by for immigration in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK.
The test is also widely used in a number of different employment sectors, for example healthcare and teaching. IELTS is used by the Teaching Council of New Zealand to ensure that applicants for a practising certificate (or a Limited Authority to Teach) have the skills they need to communicate with students and colleagues.
Likewise, the Nursing Council of New Zealand recognises the importance for nurses to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, employers, and other health professionals. IELTS is one of only two English language tests accepted for future nurses to demonstrate English language proficiency.
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We are delighted to see our customers’ feedback that taking the IELTS on a computer, in a quiet test environment, is helping them feel at ease for their test.
Innovative approach to testing
Since it was established in 1989, IELTS has been driving innovation. In 2017, computer-delivered IELTS was introduced in Australia. The first computer-delivered IELTS test centre in New Zealand opened in 2018 and continues to receive positive feedback from test takers.
We are delighted to see our customers’ feedback that taking the IELTS on a computer, in a quiet test environment, is helping them feel at ease for their test. The new test experience puts test takers first by offering up to 3 test sessions a day, 7 days a week. This is a significant improvement on paper-based testing which is offered only several times per month.
Additionally, results are released within 3-5 days to test takers who took IELTS on a computer as opposed to 13 days for its paper-based counterpart. At the same time, IELTS maintains the trust, integrity and security that is relied upon by the organisations who accept the results.
IELTS realises that it is natural to feel nervous before taking any high-stakes test. We focused on making test takers feel relaxed and supported so they can perform at their best. Many of our test takers are digital natives, so taking IELTS on computer is for people who feel more confident typing.
What has changed for ESL teachers?
As an ESL teacher, you will inevitably come across students who are preparing for IELTS on computer. While the Writing, Reading and Listening components of the test are taken on computer, the Speaking test remains face-to-face with an experienced examiner. The test content, structure, security and scoring also remain consistent whether taken on computer or paper. So, while the test itself has not changed, what has changed is the test-day experience and faster results delivery.
For ESL teachers, this means that in terms of language acquisition training and curriculum content little has changed. With the changed delivery of the IELTS test, digital classroom equipment and electronic assessment tools now align better with the new computer-delivered test format. Think for example about writing exercises on a computer, with spelling and grammar checks turned off. Or, incorporate reading exercises off a screen instead of paper sheets.
For IELTS tests takers there are plenty of support materials available, many of which are free. This includes practice tests, tutorials on band scores and a very active Facebook community where people can get access to tips on preparing for IELTS. However, to underpin the importance ESL teachers play in the proficiency development of test takers, IELTS has launched a dedicated section on its New Zealand website. In the coming months, the ‘IELTS for Teachers’ will be a cornerstone in your resource arsenal for successfully preparing students for the world’s leading language test on computer.
If you want to explore computer-delivered IELTS to understand what your students will experience, I invite you to get in touch with us. Let us know through our IDP IELTS Auckland Test Centre will arrange a personal information session.
- About this article and the author
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About this article:
This article was first published by TESOLANZ, the New Zealand national association of teachers and tutors of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).
About the author:
Michael James is the Director IELTS Operations for Australasia & Japan at IDP Education. He is bilingual in English and Spanish and has first-hand classroom experience as an ESL teacher in New Zealand and Latin America.
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