Seminar 5:

19th November

The use of IELTS for university selection: an Australian study
Dr Kieran O’Loughlin

Abstract

In recent years the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has strengthened its position as the most widely used assessment of international students’ English proficiency prior to entering higher and vocational education in Australia. However, there has been little research undertaken into how IELTS test scores are interpreted and used in specific contexts. The presentation addresses this question by reporting on a study (funded by IELTS Australia) which examined the use of IELTS in selecting international students to a large faculty at a major Australian university. Using institutional documents, questionnaires and interviews the study attempted to firstly, map how IELTS was used in the selection process and secondly, explore the knowledge and beliefs which staff (both professional and academic) and students had about the test. Key findings included 1) a selection process in which English language proficiency is assessed arbitrarily and independently of an applicant’s academic record; 2) a generally high level of procedural compliance with university policy and procedures on the part of staff directly involved in selection; 3) variable knowledge about the IELTS (both the test and the scores it produces) amongst students and staff; 4) a wide range of views amongst both stakeholder groups about the appropriacy of minimum IELTS entry scores specified by the faculty and 5) a lack of consensus between the two groups as to what different IELTS scores imply about a student’s readiness for university study, including their need for further English development. The implications of these findings will be discussed.

Bio

Dr Kieran O’Loughlin is Senior Lecturer in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne where he co-ordinates the Master of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other languages) program. Kieran's main research interests are in second language assessment and testing, English for academic purposes and language program evaluation.