TOEFL, once the only test to assess English proficiency, now has a competitor, IELTS.
In the second round of admissions, Yale University began to accept TOEFL and IELTS scores to evaluate English proficiency. Although IELTS supporters say it reflects students' language abilities better than the TOEFL, IELTS is far from being as popular as the TOEFL in high schools and colleges.
Dean of Admissions, Yale UniversityJeff Brenzelsaid that accepting TOEFL and IELTS scores provides convenience for students to take exams.
"IELTS has been proven to be a language proficiency test,"BrenzelThe director wrote in an email. "We want to give students a choice when it comes to which of the two exams is more convenient, just like we doSATandACTThe exam is the same. ”
Although the TOEFL and IELTS exams test the same skills, the structures of the two exams are completely different. TOEFL can be taken on a computer or paper basis, while IELTS can only be taken on a paper basis, except for a few computer-based testing centers.
IELTS International US DirectorBeryl Meironsaid that in addition to the basic skills of the TOEFL assessment, the IELTS test has two parts that focus on academic reading and writing skills. IELTS also has a speaking section, which is completely different from the TOEFL written test.MeironThe director also said on the phone that IELTS also needs a face-to-face interview section with trained officials who speak English as a second language. She said: “For candidates, IELTS is a more personal experience. ”
Over the past four years, all eight Ivy League schools have quietly adopted IELTS, although Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania still do not accept the test for undergraduate admissions. Harvard Undergraduate w88 casino does not require an English proficiency test for undergraduate applicants.
As more schools accept IELTS, test preparation companies across the country have expanded their businesses to respond to students' new needs. However, some international private schools still maintain their emphasis on TOEFL.
StansteadCollege is a top test preparation w88 casino in Quebec, college instructorEryn Hessiansaid that students can prepare for the TOEFL test through tutoring courses.
However, she said, until IELTS is widely accepted, it is unlikely that schools will provide specialized IELTS tutoring.
“We are only doing TOEFL at first,” she said. “It is the standard for admissions in the United States and Canada. We will not start business until other tests get more recognition. ”
MeironThe director said that now that Yale and other Ivy League schools accept IELTS, she hopes more American universities will start using it to measure English proficiency. "There are a lot of schools looking at the Ivy League, especially Yale, to lead the charge," she said.
According to the official IELTS website, IELTS is now1700Accepted by many American academic institutions.
(Original link:http://en.eol.cn/zi_xun_4183/20081028/t20081028_335444.shtml）
