Volume 8, 2008, Paper 5
Paper 5: An impact study into the use of IELTS as an entry
criterion for professional associations – Australia, New Zealand
and the USA
Author
Glenys Merrifield
GBM & Associates
This qualitative study examines the use of IELTS to assess
English language competence for membership of professional
associations or as a criterion for registration or migration in
Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America.
ABSTRACT
The research project was a qualitative study which examined the
use of IELTS to assess English language competence for membership
of professional associations or as a criterion for registration or
migration. The study focused on two traditional markets, Australia
and New Zealand, and a newer market, the USA. This was timely
research as, when it was approved in December 2005, there had been
a significant increase in the use of IELTS in the academic arena in
the previous two to three years but not in its use by professional
associations. The majority of organisations recognising IELTS
operated in the health care sector.
Questions guiding the research related to reasons for selecting
IELTS, comparing IELTS with other acceptable language assessment
systems, perceptions of the fitness of IELTS for the purpose and
the levels of support required and provided by IELTS
administration. The approach and methodology involved desk research
and face-to-face interviews with key staff in professional
associations.
The research found that in Australia and the USA, most were
well-informed about IELTS. All associations in Australia and New
Zealand had reviewed their original decisions on acceptable levels.
US associations had sought advice from IELTS International and
consulted comparable associations before setting their standards.
Most provided applicants with a choice of language proficiency
testing systems, primarily the Occupational English Test in
Australia and New Zealand and TOEFL in the USA. Associations in
Australia and New Zealand would like regular, but not frequent,
contact from IELTS on updates and changes.
The research makes a number of recommendations including that a
process of test validation of IELTS be undertaken for each of the
professions currently using IELTS, and that standards and policies
for IELTS support of non-academic users of the Test be developed.
Other recommendations include educational programs to explain IELTS
to key staff and initiatives to identify potential users such as
the State Registration Boards in the USA.
