Job Discussion Forums

[Isla Guapa]

I have a new adult student with a high-intermediate command of the language. She told me that in addition to the work we're doing in class, she would like to prepare herself to take the IELTS sometime in the future. She�s been told (though not by me) that a good score would help her find a decent job when she moves to the States to join her boyfriend in a year or two. My question: would the TOEFL be a more appropriate test for her to take, or would either test provide an accurate assessment of her command of American English? I know very little about the TOEFL and nothing about the IELTS.

[Glenski]

TOEFL is for university admissions.
TOEIC is more work-related and general knowledge stuff.

[scooby doo]

Both TOEFL and IELTS are generally required for university study. The TOEFL test is administered by an American company, whereas IELTS is a Cambridge University qualification. IELTS has been gaining ground in North America over the past few years but the TOEFL is still more well-known in the states. For this reason, your student may find it practical to take a TOEFL test. I tell my students to go for IELTS if possible because the speaking test/interview is with an examiner. The new iBT TOEFL is taken online and the speaking part involves talking to a computer which freaks some people out.

[Isla Guapa]

Thanks to Glenski and scooby doo for their posts, which I will forward to my student . I wonder if the IELTS is offered in Mexico City. I also wonder if the IELTS focuses on British English or American English or some mixture of the two.

[johnslat]

Dear Isla Guapa,

"I also wonder if the IELTS focuses on British English or American English or some mixture of the two."

Of the three, actually:

"Remember that the IELTS is an international test, and includes listening and reading passages in British, Australian and North American English. Those planning to take the IELTS test should be familiar with all of these major variations of English."

http://www.universitylanguage.com/guides/ielts-test/


Some sample tests:


http://www.world-english.org/ielts_free_tests.htm

Regards,
John

[Sashadroogie]

IELTS is offered around the world, even in Mexico. Try the British Council, Mexico: http://www.britishcouncil.org/mexico-spanish-exams-examen-ielts-3.htm

Incidentally, it is not quite right to say that IELTS is a Cambridge qualification. It is jointly administered by IDP Australia, the BC and Cambridge ESOL.

As for varieties of English, you can expect any accent, not just the three mentioned above. However, for the Writing paper, students should use just one variety and not mix different spellings etc.

http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/faqs/sitting_the_test.aspx

[Isla Guapa]

Dear johnslat,

Thanks for the information and the links. Since my student has had no exposure to the British and Australian variants of our native tongue and has no need to become familiar with them, it looks like I'll advise her to prepare for the TOEIC.

Cheers,

Isla Guapa

[Sashadroogie]

TOEIC listening texts also include speakers with different accents from around the world - not just North American. She'll still need some familiarity with them.

[Isla Guapa]

Well, that's discouraging news for her and for me. I doubt if she has any real interest in becoming familiar with non-North American accents, and I have no way of helping her with that. It seems like a lot to expect of someone, to be familiar with a variety of English dialects. I have lived in the UK and have known Australians and sometimes I have trouble understanding accents from those countries. At least the tests don't include examples of African and Indian English! And what about vocabulary and idiomatic expressions from non-North American forms of the language? Are those taking these tests supposed to be familiar with all of that too? Sounds highly problematic to me !

[Sashadroogie]

It's not a big deal at all. Simply work through the practice listening material in whatever TOEIC book you choose and everything will be fine. I would be very much surprised if accent causes any difficulties in comprehension at all. In fact, I'd be surprised if your student could consistently tell the accents apart.

Good luck.

[Sashadroogie]

TOEIC: Test of English for International Communication.

It's not just for candidates who want to move to the States. Was originally developed for Japanese businessmen, as far as I know.

Simply have a look at the materials before getting hung up on minor details like accent. Most of the voice actors will have a nice sanitised accent anyway. Nobody from the depths of hicksville Texas or from the Bronx.

[Sashadroogie]

Double post.

[Isla Guapa]

We'll see if things go as smoothly as you suggest, Sasha. She's familiar with American accents because her job here in Mexico involves tons of telephone communication with her bosses in the US. In any event, thanks for the encouragement and study tips. Maybe I'm being a bit testy about this topic because even though I'm fairly fluent in Spanish, my listening comprehension is not always my strong point, especially when it comes to accents I'm not familiar with.

[johnslat]

Dear Isla Guapa,

Why not have a look (and a listen to) some samples?

http://www.examenglish.com/

http://www.de.toeic.eu/toeic-sites/toeic-germany/toeic-vorbereitung/toeic-sample-test/

http://www.englishclub.com/esl-exams/ets-toeic-practice.htm

http://www.etscanada.ca/students/toeic_sample_questions.php

Regards,
John

P.S. Sounds like pretty "standard" English to me.

[Sashadroogie]

As pretty as a droning automaton can sound, I guess..., heh heh.

[What does the man imply?]