IELTS Research Reports

Glenys Merrifield5.3.2 Alternative language assessment systems accepted – IrelandTable 7 below sets out the alternative testing systems accepted by Irish professional bodies.Minimumstandards ofassessment(other thanIELTS)TOEFLpaper-basedtestTOEFL,computerbasedtestIB TOEFLTSETWETOEICTrinityCollegeLondonCambridgeSuiteOtherIrish NursingBoard/ An BordAltranais570R 56TWEStructure56L 56TSE230R 22TWEL 22Structure23TSE88R 21W 19L 22S 2650 5.5 Test results withinlast two yearsOR evidence ofpractice in Englishlanguage sincetaking test.Irish MedicalCouncilNo other testsaccepted.Pre-HospitalEmergencyCare Council(PHECC)May beaccepted.Levelsadvisedat time ofapplying.May beaccepted.Levelsadvisedat time ofapplying.May beaccepted.Levelsadvisedat time ofapplying.Other testingsystems may beaccepted.* R=Reading, W=Writing, L=Listening, S=SpeakingTable 7. Minimum levels of achievement in assessment systems other than IELTS required byprofessional associations and registration bodies in IrelandThe only alternative tests acceptable for these organisations were the TOEFL tests, which wereperceived as being almost as widely available as IELTS but less compact and less easily interpreted.IELTS was seen as a good quality, reliable and internationally accessible English language assessmentwith a person-to-person interview perceived as an advantage.The number of applicants requiring a language test was reportedly decreasing. Candidate feedbackindicated that some considered it to be a difficult test in view of the requirement of most associationsto achieve the minimum band scores in one sitting of the test.It was considered by one association that a more focused medical context, rather than the generalacademic focus, would be preferable.One association indicated that more contact with IELTS administration, particularly on distinguishingbetween the various band scores and locating accessible testing centres, would be appreciated.The online verification service was considered to be a major advantage.56 www.ielts.org