IELTS Research Reports

An impact study into the use of IELTS by professional associations and registration entities:Canada, the United Kingdom and Irelandin particular. That being said, the vast majority of people seeking registration are overseas applicantsfor whom evidence of acceptable English language skills is a prerequisite to applying for registration.This means that most will need to present evidence of an appropriate language assessment prior toleaving their own country.As is the case in the USA, TOEFL has a very strong position in Canada as a trusted and reliabletesting system. The introduction of the iB TOEFL strengthened the position of ETS because it hasmade the test more accessible globally, and it includes testing of all four skills. However, there is stilla perceived advantage in the IELTS system of assessment because of the work that has been done ontest quality and security of outcomes.At the time of the study, ten Canadian organisations were registered with IELTS. Of these, five werecolleges of nurses, three were pharmacy professional associations and two were colleges of teachers.4.1.1 Nursing organisationsThe five nursing associations registered with IELTS were all established as provincial self-regulatorybodies under Canadian Health Professions legislation with a mandate to protect the public interest.Each association is responsible for establishing nursing standards of practice for the province,assessing fitness to practice, approving education and training courses for the industry (includingassessing overseas qualifications for equivalence) and supporting registered nurses in meeting theirstandards. They are also responsible for conducting hearings on complaints against registered nurses.Since their authority is limited to the province in which they operate, this does not necessarily meanthat there is consistency either in the standards of practice required for registration, or in the minimumstandard of language competency.With the exception of Quebec, provincial nursing associations require a language competency assessmentas a prerequisite to sitting for the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE). As thename suggests, success in this examination allows an international nurse to practise in Canada. However,policies vary on language assessments for applicants from English-speaking countries, or those who havebeen educated or have practised in an English-speaking environment. Despite variations in policy andstandards, registration is generally, but not automatically, recognised from province to province.Professional nursing associations which have an inbuilt process of review of standards have conductedresearch or gained expert advice on language needs for the profession. For those engaged in mentalhealth, high level oral communication skills are critical. Nurses working in clinical environmentsneed to be able to use and understand technical language, in addition to communicating directlywith a very broad spectrum of clients, their families and advocates, and other health professionals.Writing is critical for completing accurate charts and records, and proficiency in reading is needed fordeciphering doctors’ orders, understanding care plans, dealing with medications and understanding arange of important medical records.Although the range of acceptable tests is similar for each of the nursing regulatory bodies, there issignificant variation in the minimum standards set in all assessment systems apart from the CELBAN(see Table 7 below).4.1.1.1 College of Registered Nurses of ManitobaThe College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) began operating as a regulatory body almost acentury ago and became a College in the year 2000. It is controlled by a Board of Directors consistingof both registered nurses and public representatives.IELTS Research Reports Volume 1135