As someone who wants to go abroad,
whether to continue one’s studies, work as a professional or a skilled worker,
or simply to migrate and be with loved ones, you may be required to prove your
ability to communicate in the language. In this case, hearsays and testimonials
will probably not suffice and you will need to take an
internationally-recognize exam to prove your language ability. This is the
purpose of the International English Language Test System (IELTS) and the Test
of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) is for. Often, the institution requiring
you to take an English proficiency test will specify which exam to sit.
However, should you find yourself lucky enough to choose whether to take the
IELTS or the TOEFL, here is a list of things to consider which one is more
suitable for you.
1. Length of the examination. If you are the
kind of person who wants things done fast, then you had better choose the
IELTS. The examination is roughly three (3) hours long. This is for Listening,
Reading, and Writing, with no breaks in between. You take the Speaking
examination usually on another day. The TOEFL, on the other hand, is roughly
four (4) hours with breaks in between every two components.
2. Mastery of understanding different English accents. The common problem test takers encounter in the IELTS is the use
of different accents. For instance, Filipinos are used to the American accent,
but find it difficult to understand English or Australians speaking. A variety
of accents are utilized in the IELTS. The TOEFL, on the other hand, most often
only use American accents.
3. Comfort level: use of technology versus old school methods. In the Philippines, the IELTS is a paper and pencil exam. This
means you use traditional methods of taking the test. This may be a cause of
concern, especially if you have illegible hand writing. In comparison, the
TOEFL is taken with a computer. Tech savvy people will have no problem with
this. It may even be an advantage, especially for those who do not have a very
legible penmanship. However, for the technologically challenged, the TOEFL may
present some problems.
4. Purpose. Although both the IELTS and the
TOEFL are exams that can be taken by professionals and incoming students, only
the IELTS is used for skilled workers and migrants. This is because the IELTS
has a specific module to address the communication demands of these populations.
Hopefully, these points for
consideration have helped you. Remember, though, that your success depends more
on your determination to prepare well and not so much on the exam you take.
Good luck!
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