Transcript Slide 1

UKNARIC
conference
Understanding
IELTS scores
explanation and practical
exercise
www.ielts.org
The context…
• English language is becoming an increasingly important
part of the Tier 4 student visas
• In Tier 4, for foundation, UG and PG courses; no specific
English language level is required by UKBA
• BUT they advise English language ability should be
considered by sponsors when assessing qualifications
• To ensure assessment is accurate and the level is correct
for your course, understanding of what scores mean is key
to good decision making
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 UG and PG courses
What do these scores actually mean!?
• To understand how to go about setting the right score for a
course, 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:
–
–
–
–
–
What minimum scores are currently set?
Are these high enough / too high in your opinion – why?
Do these vary from course to course?
If so, should they? If not, should they?
What kinds of reading, writing, listening and speaking are
involved in each of your course types 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 courses.
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
Speaking test
Part 3 – Two-way discussion
Examiner invites candidate to participate in
discussion of a more abstract nature, based on
verbal questions thematically linked to Part 2 topic.
4-5 minutes in total
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 (part 3 only)
Use the score descriptors to judge the level
Discuss your opinions and suggest scores
www.ielts.org
Candidate H
www.ielts.org
Candidate H
Candidate scored:
6.0
See hand out for comments
www.ielts.org
Candidate G
www.ielts.org
Candidate G
Candidate scored:
5.0
See hand out for comments
www.ielts.org
Candidate I
www.ielts.org
Candidate I
Candidate scored:
7.0
See hand out for comments
www.ielts.org
Considering speaking scores
• You should now have a better understanding of what is
possible at band scores 5, 6 and 7
• Take into account half bands
• There are more examples on the DVD – free copies
available from the IELTS stand
• You can compare the criteria on each band score to the
abilities you would like your students to have in each area
for each course
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: [email protected]
www.ielts.org