| You have spent many hours learning English, whether | | | | test their ability to speak and read English, but do not |
| for your work or school situation. Now you need to | | | | necessarily need to speak and read North American |
| prove that you do, in fact, know the language as well | | | | English. |
| as you need to for the program you are entering. How | | | | The Structure of the IELTS |
| can you do this? You can prove your knowledge of | | | | Candidates who are taking the IELTS are required to |
| the language by taking a test. Two of the most | | | | complete four modules. These are speaking, reading, |
| popular are the Test of English as a Foreign Language | | | | writing, and listening. Once complete, the applicant will |
| (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing | | | | receive a band, or score, which will be displayed on the |
| System (IELTS). While these two tests have a similar | | | | IELTS Test Report Form. The highest possible score is |
| goal - to show that you know English - they are | | | | a 9 band score, which means the individual is |
| different in many ways. | | | | completely competent in all tested areas. |
| Difference in Intent | | | | The Listening and Speaking Modules are the same for |
| One difference in the two tests is in the intent. The | | | | both the academic and general versions of the exam, |
| main intent of the TOEFL is to determine whether or | | | | but the Reading and Writing Modules are not. The test |
| not the test taker can speak, read, understand, and | | | | takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. The |
| write English well enough to attend college in an | | | | Listening, Reading, and Writing Modules must be |
| English-speaking program. The questions, reading | | | | completed in that order on the same day without a |
| material, and listening material are all designed on a | | | | break. The Speaking Module can be completed within |
| college level. | | | | a week prior to or following the written portion of the |
| While there is one version of the IELTS that is | | | | test. |
| designed for college applicants, the Academic Version, | | | | The Structure of the TOEFL |
| the IELTS also comes in a General Training Version. | | | | The TOEFL can be taken online or at a testing center. |
| This is used for those who are looking to head to an | | | | When taken online, the applicant has four hours to |
| English-speaking country for work or immigration. Many | | | | complete the Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing |
| companies who are looking to hire non-native English | | | | sections of the test. Each section has its own time limit. |
| speakers need to know that their employees can | | | | The paper-based test is similar in structure. However, it |
| speak and understand English, and they require a test | | | | has a structure and written expression section rather |
| to show this. Also, Australia and Canada require those | | | | than a speaking section. These test similar skills, just in |
| who are immigrating to their countries to pass the test | | | | a different format. |
| as part of their citizenship requirements. | | | | The Internet based version has a highest possible |
| Difference in Focus | | | | score of 120 and a lowest possible score of 0. The |
| Another difference between the two tests is the | | | | paper version is scored in a range between 310 and |
| focus. The TOEFL is designed for North American | | | | 577, with each section scored separately, but the |
| speakers and hearers. The spoken portions are read | | | | writing section not included in the final score. |
| by native North American speakers. The questions of | | | | While the TOEFL and the IELTS have significant |
| form and style are based on North American English. | | | | differences, both are good ways to judge whether or |
| On the other hand, the IELTS is designed to fit a | | | | not an English speaker truly knows the language. If you |
| variety of accents and situations. The writing styles | | | | are trying to decide which test to take, contact the |
| and accents incorporated into the test are designed to | | | | school or company with which you are applying to see |
| mimic the accent and style of many different countries. | | | | which test they prefer. |
| This makes this test ideal for those who are looking to | | | | |