TOEFL or IELTS - what to choose
Forming / / December 19, 2019
Kateryna Zubkov - Foreign Language Teacher online, blogger, on his website writes about learning and teaching English, Italian and Spanish. In a guest article for Layfhakera she tells how to choose a test to assess the knowledge of English (TOEFL or IELTS), best suited to your goals, abilities and scope.
You can argue long about the subjective side of the selection test. Only when there is a question about the submission of documents, it is worth briefly forget to select the appropriate exam.
Many prefer the IELTS or TOEFL, because the result is ready within two to three weeks. One needs only to register with the authorized centers and wait. Both tests have official websites - www.ielts.org and www.ets.org/toefl. They can find the nearest center, look at the evaluation criteria and download the demo version.
According to the format of TOEFL and IELTS is not fundamentally different from each other. The structure is the same: reading, writing, speaking, listening. The difference - in the area of language use, purpose and evaluation system.
Purpose and duration
IELTS AM and TOEFL iBT are suitable for study abroad, and in some Russian universities where instruction is in English. IELTS Academic module is also required for certain professions. IELTS overall module - for work and emigration.
Both tests are valid for two years and then need to retake. IELTS is required in the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, TOEFL - in the United States. Elsewhere in Europe, recognized both certificates. In any case, it is desirable to clarify in the university. Many of the institutions are fighting for students to exhibit the wonders of flexibility and can take both documents.
Do not choose TOEFL or IELTS because they focus on different versions of English. This is manifested only in the spelling and pronunciation. Grammar there is no simpler vocabulary - too.
The essential difference - TOEFL for rent on the internet. This means that still need to get used to the glare of the monitor and a very good command of the keyboard - the timer counts down mercilessly. IELTS is conducted on paper.
Yet it is worth remembering that the IELTS is clearly divided into two parts: listening, reading, writing, and interview with the examiner. The TOEFL reading, writing and speaking are mixed, which is closer to the real situation. If you have left a year or two, for the study did not prevent develop integrated skills. In addition, you need to get used to a conversation with a computer, not a person.
Age and Scope
Better to take exams with 16 years. Material in IELTS AM and TOEFL rather complicated. The tests added topics Academic English: biology, geography, archeology, history and other sciences. They are very difficult to prepare, because such items and Russian may cause great difficulties.
IELTS GT goes without academic inserts common, everyday English. Teenager in any case difficult to write an essay on an abstract theme and letter-complaint in another language. Common Module is more suitable for adults.
Therefore, in preparation for this exam should not rush, if you can.
evaluation
The IELTS is already a legendary Bands 1-9 for each part: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking. Average score is calculated based on the results of all four. The certificate bear both. It is good that the result can be approximated by IELTS Guide for Teachers. In it is a description of the requirements for writing and speaking skills, you can see the number of correct answers for the listening and reading.
We have TOEFL Scores on all four parts (1 to 30) and the overall Score - 1-120 points. A detailed description is on the site.
The company ETS, created the TOEFL, published approximate ratio their test scores, IELTS and the CEFR levels of results. The table below is based on these data.
TOEFL Score | IELTS Band | CEFR Level |
0–31 | 0–4 | |
32–34 | 4,5 | |
35–45 | 5 | B1 (intermediate) |
46–59 | 5,5 | |
60–78 | 6 | B2 (upper-intermediate) |
79–93 | 6,5 | |
94–101 | 7 | |
102–109 | 7,5 | C1 (advanced) |
110–114 | 8 | |
115–117 | 8,5 | |
118–120 | 9 |
»
So what do you choose?
Not tired of your computer, you can quickly print - TOEFL.
A positive attitude to the fact that it is necessary to combine skills - TOEFL.
So you do not want to strain, like paper, pens and pencils - IELTS.
You want to talk to a computer - TOEFL.
Would you like to communicate with the examiner and tape-recorded - IELTS.
Want to see the description of the results for each part of the test - TOEFL.
It is terrible to look at the result description, needed only points - IELTS.
Your level below Intermediate / B1, needed a low score - IELTS. Materials on the TOEFL average level can be found very rarely. Do not torment the teacher and do not torture yourself.
Studies in the US - TOEFL.
Studies in the UK, Canada or Australia - IELTS Academic.
Studies in Western Europe - TOEFL or IELTS.
Coming to work and live in the UK, Canada or Australia - IELTS General Training or Academic. It is necessary to take into account the requirements for the level of language in their profession.
Whichever test you choose, just be fluent in the language is not enough. You need to get used to what you have to perform in a particular job. So choose, prepare and consecrate it enough time to when calculating the points you had a feeling of satisfaction.