A couple of days ago, I watched a documentary on National Geographic about scams in an English speaking country. I'm a bit shocked because they're happening in one of the most powerful nations. I mean every country has its own problems to deal with such as human trafficking, illegal drugs and racial discrimination.
But that's not my main issue. It's about speaking in English. There were some footage about people working in shops and they're speaking to customers, but not in a manner they'd easily be understood since they're not native speakers. If they are allowed to work without the fluency in English, it would sound unfair to those who really studied and passed the language exams in order to get the job.
A lot of people would do their best to pass an international English exam in order to work, study and travel to English-speaking countries. Most of them are true professionals and career oriented. They'd spend a lot of money, time and effort just to prove to the examiners how fluent they are in all four types of language skills.
In your opinion, do you think international English exams such as IELTS and TOEFL are really important to get a job or to study in an English speaking country?
Please enlighten me with your thoughts about this topic...
Replies
Comparing TOEFL and IELTS, I think IELTS is closer to real life since it measures the all four skills. In most countries, toefl only test the reading and listening aspect. However, the cost to sit in ielts exam is higher. In my opinion, though ielts is more expensive but is more valid since the overall aspects of language skills are covered.
I heard many times about how people from my country, Indonesia, who went to English speaking country to study after passing toefl, failed to acculturate to the host countries because they were lacking in cultural and communication skill. This means language test like toefl and ielts should be tailored to the need, lacks and wants of the exam takers.
Hi, Lucy!
Thank you for stating your thoughts about this topic. Your reasons are valid enough, as you've already taken a Cambridge exam. Unfortunately, IELTS has expiration dates. It would be a daunting experience to take another test again in case you never got the chance to use the previous one. But as what you've written here, we'll have to take it if we'd like to work in a better country. I agree with your last statement, though.
Have a great new week!
Robbie
Hello, Risty!
Thanks a lot for sharing your views about this topic. Currently, there's a real challenge to youngsters especially that the Department of Education has implemented a mother tongue/dialect teaching in all subjects. Some teachers say it's proven effective. Apparently, we'll have to learn English as much as possible if we'd engage in an English exams.
You're quite right about North American English. US TV programs are very common in our country. But have you noticed some of them were dubbed in Filipino? I don't know what to say. :( Anyway, you could surround yourself with British or Australian English to get more familiar with it. There are plenty of differences in their expressions especially in informal conversation. And there are serious pointers to consider if it is for academic purposes.
Wishing you to pass your IELTS with flying colors! Break a leg!
Good day,
Robbie
I think there is point in taking those exams. Yes, one has to prove their English is at level University or employer request... It is here to save time because it is impossible for every University to test individually English level of each potential student. Don't you think? Yes, it is stressing, frustrating to take such exams and also you spend money and a lot of time on it..however, you are that one, who wants something :) either to be accepted to Uni or to get a job. I took Cambridge exam and right now...I have my certificate for ..nothing :D Anyway, as for getting a job I am sceptical little bit..I would prefer just interview in English and to write something short because I think it is enough to prove you are the right one for the company/employer or not...
Dear Robbie, you surfaced a good point here, I'm also at a loss and always inscrutable to this, provided that I'm about to take IELTS soon. There is a disadvantage to this, I'm preparing for the exam yet it feels like I'm only preparing for the exam perse', not the mere life that I'm about to embrace and the continual basis I'm about to face when I went there.
I think it is a long way learning process that a person dreaming for greener pasture have to deal with importance.
Canadian and American accent and English are close to our vocabulary and pretty understandable for Filipino ears, the problem goes for British and Australian accent/English, for me, jaw dropping... say Hi and the goodbye. No further conversation, worst avoiding that confrontation. haha
Thanks for making this a topic to discuss here.