International English Language Testing System

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The International English Language Testing System (IELTS /ˈaɪ.ɛlts/) is a globally recognized language test by the British Council that measures a person's ability to use the English language .

Types

IELTS is offered in two different test versions, which are aimed at different user groups:

Academic is mainly taken by students who want to study at a university in an English-speaking country or a German university. Most universities in Australia , Great Britain , Ireland , Canada and New Zealand as well as more than 3,300 institutions in the USA (the number is steadily increasing) accept the test as an admission requirement. More and more German universities and technical colleges are also demanding the IELTS for courses with international components (Bachelor / Master). People who work in the medical field must take the IELTS test to get a work permit in the above countries.

General training is completed by peoplewho needproof of their general knowledge of English, for example for work or immigration .

Structure of a test

Four areas are checked. The test takes a total of 2 hours and 55 minutes.

  • Listening ( Listening ), 40 Minutes
  • Reading ( Reading ), 60 Minutes
  • Writing ( Writing ) 60 minutes
  • Talk ( Speaking ), 11-14 minutes

Test results

IELTS test candidates can view their results online on the 13th day after their test date. At the same time, you will be sent a certificate (IELTS Test Report Form) by post. The test results are valid for two years.

Rating scale

  • 9 - Expert User: Fluent with complete understanding
  • 8 - Very good: Unrestricted command of the language, occasional inaccuracies (Very Good User: Full operational command, occasional inaccuracies)
  • 7 - Good User: Operational command, occasional inaccuracies
  • 6 - Competent: Effective command of the language, inaccuracies ( Competent User: Effective command, inaccuracies)
  • 5 - In moderation: Partial command of the language, many mistakes (Modest User: Partial command, many mistakes)
  • 4 - Limited: Limited command of the language, very common problems (Limited User: Limited command, frequent problems)
  • 3 - Extremely Limited User: Only general understanding
  • 2 - Sporadic: Only basic understanding with difficulty (Intermittent User: Only basic understanding with difficulty)
  • 1 - No application: No language ability (Non User: No language ability)
  • 0 - Did not take the test

In the classification of the European Framework of Reference , the result range 4.0 to 5.0 corresponds to the competence level B1, 5.0 to 6.5 corresponds to the range B2, 7.0 to 8.0 to a C1 and 8.0 to 9.0 to the competence level C2.

Test centers in Germany

A test fee of 226 euros (April 2018) is charged for the IELTS test. The test must be taken in an official test center. The organizer in Germany is the British Council . It offers the test in Aachen , Berlin , Bremen , Düsseldorf , Dortmund , Frankfurt am Main , Freiburg im Breisgau , Hamburg , Hanover , Cologne , Leipzig , Mannheim , Munich and Stuttgart .

Test centers in Switzerland

The paper-based IELTS test in Switzerland costs CHF 369. The organizer in Switzerland is the British Council in Bern. Tests take place regularly in Bern, Zurich and Geneva.

Test centers in Austria

The IELTS test organizer in Austria is the British Council Vienna in Vienna. The test takes place in Vienna and Graz.

criticism

Price increase between 2004 and 2013 based on values ​​from the Wikipedia version history of this article

Since 2002 the price of the IELTS test in Germany has increased from 123 euros (240 Deutsche Mark ) to 220 euros. In Switzerland, the price for the computer-based test has risen to currently CHF 388 (November 2019).

It has been criticized that German applicants often rely on IELTS to prove their English skills, as many universities only recognize this or the similarly expensive TOEFL test. The socially disadvantaged are disadvantaged by the high test fee, and the universities also use an external service provider for language tests. Since May 2012, the University of Hamburg has waived language certificates from external providers for the English bachelor's degree and has had "consistently positive experiences" with them. According to the Dean of Studies, Susanne Rupp, the quality of the applicants has not decreased.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ British Council Germany: IELTS USA
  2. ↑ How should the CEFR be used by recognizing institutions wishing to set language ability requirements? (English), accessed February 11, 2013
  3. ↑ British Council Germany: IELTS test dates, locations and fees
  4. ↑ http://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search/results.aspx?TestCentreID=1f54c048-26d0-44f9-b9d6-612377a8f0ae
  5. ^ IELTS exams at the British Council, Germany ( Memento from November 12, 2001 in the Internet Archive )
  6. ↑ Jan Willmroth: The language of money . In: ZEIT Campus , Die ZEIT, December 12, 2012. Accessed February 1, 2012.