English language tests for an English-taught Uni programme
Many students dream of studying abroad and the choice of the programme, university and the country can be overwhelming but before this, the students need to answer the questions about which English language test to take to apply for an English taught programme.
If you have a student who needs help deciding which test to take to apply for a programme at universities in an English speaking country, the best is to check the entry requirements with the university.
The English language test is an indicator for the universities of language and academic skill of the students to cope with the course, keep up with the home students and complete the studies.
Different universities and courses ask for different test scores. Some subjects like law and medicine require applying students to have a higher level of English than others. The university usually states which test and grade they require.
The most common English tests required by HE institutions are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic and Cambridge English Advanced test that are accepted and recognized by most countries and HE institutions.
TOEFL is recognized worldwide and it shows how well a student can communicate in English at the undergraduate level. The test can be taken online.
PTE Academic is a computer-based of four main skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing powered by AI technology without human bias.
IELTS is one of the most recognised and generally the most recommended English language tests around the world. It is accepted by more than 10,000 universities and HE institutions. The test assesses the English language skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking. It shows that the student can live, study or work in an English speaking country. The grades that are needed to be achieved vary according to the university requirements.
If the students are worried about taking the test without proper preparation lead by experienced schools or teachers, it is recommended to opt for an IELTS preparation course.
They are offered by many language schools or IELTS centres. The ideal option is to take the course directly in the chosen country. The preparation courses can be as short as 2 weeks, depending on the availability and needs of the students. Some schools are also official test centres where the test can be taken after the completion of the course. Due to the pandemic and restricted travel, the courses can be studied online which can be very convenient for students.
The test itself can be done on paper or computer-based at thousands of test centres in many countries worldwide.
Another good way of preparation for the test is practising the language with native speakers through online videos or chats. With the technology accessible to many nowadays there are many options for improvement that can be accessed from home – watching English movies, TV or listening to podcasts.
