Communication Skills in the IELTS and TOEFL Tests

They say that through communication, verbally or non-verbally, we are able to understand other people. Because of communication, we can build relationships, and even destroy the same relationship when both parties do not understand each other. Hence, we see the importance of having good communication skills in building rapport with others.

One’s communication skill is carefully evaluated when taking an English proficiency examination like the TOEFL or the Test of English as a Foreign Language and the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination. These two tests have speaking and writing sections that measure a person’s ability to communicate his or her own ideas both in spoken and written manner.

Having a good communication skill is very important in both tests. First, having a good communication skill means being able to explain your thoughts clearly. For example, in the TOEFL examination, there are two independent speaking questions. Candidates are asked questions and they need to support these opinions made with reasons that are strong and appropriate. Being given a very limited time to prepare and respond, stating your points clearly is very crucial. You have to express what is in your mind fluently and spontaneously as much as possible. Since the time is very limited, you need to think fast and speak what is on your mind directly. In the IELTS, clearly stating your ideas is important in the second and third tasks. Being able to come up with intelligent and meaningful responses will bear good results. In writing, being able to find the right vocabulary through effective sentence construction and grammar brings out the best in your written communication. Like in speaking, you have to pick the right words and play with it in your sentences to be able to impart what you think of.

Another thing one benefits from having good communication skills is the confidence one have in speaking and writing. When you are good at both, you will not have a hard time thinking of what to say or write. You are confident that whatever comes out of your mind for speaking and writing are right. Confidence is what most non-native English speakers need. When you are confident, you do not fear in speaking in front of a native speaker or writing what you have inside your head. If you are confident, you can carry a conversation very well that the interviewer will not get bored with you.

Communication skills for both tests are crucial in getting a good score. Learning it is a process; hence, it is best for people to practice with people who could bring out the best in a person. These people are mentors and coaches that one can meet in IELTS and TOEFL review centers. With the help of these people, being able to communicate clearly and confidently will not be a problem.