To my presentation about:

 IELTS, meaning and it’s band scores.  The tests of the IELTS  Listening test.  Listening common challenges.  Reading test.  Reading common challenges.  Writing test.  Writing common challenges.  Speaking test.  Speaking common challenges. overview

What do the initials stand for? “ International English Language Testing System”  Why do we need to know about it?  What does it look like?  How is it scored?  What do ss tend to have problems with?

Why do we need to know about it? PCU accepts the IELTS for admission. Undergraduate score : 6.5 with 6.0 in each band Graduate score 1.0 overall ( no minimum band score needed !)

IELTS Band scores has fully operational command of the language, appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. Expert user: 9. Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handels complex detailed argumentations well. Very good user: 8. has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handels complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. Good user: 7. Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstanding can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. Competent user: 6.

has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes should be able to handle basic communications in our field. Modest user: 5. basic competence is limited to familiar situation has frequent problems in understanding and expression is not able to use complex language. Limited user: 4. conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent break downs in communications occur Extremely limited user: 3. No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulate in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. Intermittent user: 2. essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. Non user: 1. no assessable information provided Did not attempt the test: 0.

 A score is reported for each test component  The individual test scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an overall band score.  Overall band scores and individual test scores are reported in whole and half bands. More about scoring:

IELTS is available in the two formats. Academic and General training. Our ss must take the academic version  Each format has 4 tests, one in each of the skills.  All test takers ( in both the academic and general training tests) take the same listening and speaking tests. The writing and reading tests are different.  The first 3 tests ( listening, reading and writing ) must be taken in the same day  the speaking test can be taken 7 days before or after ( depending on the test center)  There is no break between the test What does the whole test look like?

 Candidate listen to 4 recorded texts 2 conversations and two monologues  There texts feature a variety of E accents  The recording is heard only once.  Candidates are given time to read the questions before each text starts  They write down their answers in the test booklet while they’re listening  At the each of each test, they are given 10 minutes to transfer their answer to the official answers sheet.  Poor spelling and grammar are penalized  Writing more than is necessary is penalized. What does each test look like? 1 st test ( 40 minutes) Listening

 Multiple choice  Short – answer questions  Sentence completion  Nate/ summary/ flow – chart/table completion  Labeling a diagram  Classification  Matching Listening test cont’d Question types :

 Each recording played only once.  Must write and listen simutaneously.  Range of accents used.  Must follow line of argument or thought.  Unfamiliar vocabulary.  Correct spelling required. cont’d Listening – common challenges

-There are three reading passages with a total of 2000 – 2750 words - Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers, all written for a non – specialist audience -At least one of the texts contains a detailed argument Reading 2 nd test 60 minutes Academic reading Total of 40 questions 3 categories of 10 question types  Matching  Gap filling  Selection

-Time is short -Unfamiliar topics -Unusual question type such a labeling a flowchart -Incorrect spelling and grammar are penalized -Writing more than is necessary is penalized Reading common challenges

-2 Tasks -Candidates ADVISED 20 minutes for 1 st task, 40minutes for 2 nd task Score is based on: -Task achievement -Coherence and cohesion -Lexical recource - Grammatical range and accuracy writing 3 rd test 60 minutes Academic writing

-Write a description of at least 150 words -Based on material found in a chart, table, graph or diagram -Demonstrates ability to present information and summarize the main features of the input. writing 1 st task

- Introductery sentences - Describe the information presented in graph. -General observations -Concluding statement analysis of information garnered from the visual writing Task 1 organization -Write a short essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement or a question -Demonstrate an ability to present a position, construct an argument and discuss abstract issues. writing 2 nd Task

-Analyze, select and order data -See general trends -Identify key chunks of information and exceptions to general trends -Use complex sentences structure -Unfamiliar topic -Take a stand and argue it effectively Writing common challenges  In task – 1  In Task 2

-The test is a face- to- face interview Candidates are assessed on their use of spoken English to: - answer short questions -Speak at length on a familiar topic -Interact with the examiner 4 th (and final ) test (11-14 minutes) speaking

1.Introduction and interview (4-5 mins)  Give name, and talk about self, family, and own life 2. Individual long turn (3-4 mins)  Given a card prompt  1min to prepare  1-2 mins talk  1 min answer related question from examiner 3. Two way discussion (4-5min) Related to topic on the card Less personal speaking test sections

-Talking extensively -Vocabulary -Abstract topic in 3 rd section speaking – common challenges:-