Why do Immigrants Need to Take English Test

Many people who wish to be immigrants in English-communicating countries would often question the need for sitting an English proficiency exam. Countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK, the US, and New Zealand would require non-native communicators of English to take examinations such as the International English Language Test System (IELTS) or the TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language), although the latter is most often required for those who wish to get a student visa.

There are several reasons why English tests are important to migrants. Basically, an English examination is seen as a determiner of the would-be migrant’s ability to adapt to their new lives.

1.       English examinations such as the IELTS are required by policy. English-speaking countries have made English proficiency exam results as a main requirement in the points system for migration. The higher the score in the prescribed English test, the higher the points.  

2.       It proves their English proficiency and makes it more possible for them to join the working class of that country. Communication is an important skill for anyone who wishes to join the workforce. English examinations such as the IELTS or the TOEFL are concrete proofs of a candidate’s English proficiency. Many employers would be hesitant in giving jobs to non-native speakers of their language, for fear of difficultly in communication. Such perception of language barrier can be broken if the migrant presents his or her English exam results.

3.       It is evidence of the candidate’s ability to socialize with others. Social interaction is seen as an important part of one’s integration in a community.  Countries which accept migrants would want them to be integrated with those countries’ natives. Communication skill, as well as proof of it, is important for migrants in order to live a full life abroad.

4.       In ensures that migrants are able to transact or do business with natives. This is particularly important, seeing that a migrant should be independent in doing every day transactions such as buying food, commuting, and even negotiating for a place to live. In the IELTS examination, for instance, the module crafted for would-be migrants, the General Training module, contains letter writing. This is to assess a migrant’s ability to communicate in formal English, which they may have to do during their stay in the English-communicating country.

For migrants, the English exams  are not just a requirement but a test and a proof of their ability to survive and live life well in the country they wish to migrate to. This is the primary importance of English examinations.