english language proficiency testing
TRANSCRIPT
ANZA Workshop April 2016
English language proficiency testing What agents need to know
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Overview of ELP testing for visas
• English language proficiency testing - one aspect of DIBP’s risk management measures.
• DIBP now gives applicants a choice of ELP test options so the applicant can choose the test most suitable for them.
• How do applicants choose an English test? What does research tell us?
• Accepted by relevant assessment bodies • Trust in the score • Convenience and availability • Personal preference for aspects of test delivery • Familiarity with a specific test
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TOEFL® Scores in Australia • Universities in Australia
have been using TOEFL scores for 50 years
• TOEFL® scores are accepted for all Australian student visas
• New student visa framework may lead to changes in ELP requirements. This will depend on the risk rating of both the institution and the country.
• Since November 2014, TOEFL iBT test scores are accepted for 26 visa subclasses of work and study, skilled migration, post-study work and permanent resident visas
• TOEFL iBT test scores are also accepted for professional registration bodies such as the three Accounting bodies, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and Engineers Australia.
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Why take a TOEFL iBT® test?
• Well known global brand in ELP testing for over 50 years • Test is available in 180 countries including Australia • Internet-based test taken at one of thousands of
approved ETS test centres • Scoring methods set the TOEFL iBT test apart:
• Multiple assessors mark speaking and writing items • Assessors mark globally • Test takers are anonymous • No marking is done at test centre
• Test taker receives feedback on their test results
• Lots of prep material available online
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The TOEFL iBT® Test Format Section Description Testing Time Score Scale
Reading 3–4 text passages; 12–14 questions per passage
60–80 min. 0–30
Listening 4–6 presentations, some with discussion, 6 questions each;
2–3 conversations, 5 questions each
60–90 min. 0–30
Break - 10 min. -
Speaking 2 tasks to express an opinion; 4 speaking tasks based on reading and
listening passages
20 min. 0–30
Writing 1 integrated task (writing based on what was read and listened to);
1 independent task (support an opinion on a topic)
50 min. 0–30
Total - - 0–120
Note taking is allowed in all sections.
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TOEFL iBT® and IELTS® Score Equivalence – research for DIPB www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/scores/compare
TOEFL iBT Speaking
IELTS Speaking
Total of 32 across 4
skills
4.5
14 5 16 5.5 18 6 20 6.5 23 7 24 7.5 26 8 28 8.5 30 9
TOEFL iBT Writing
IELTS Writing
Total of 32 across 4
skills
4.5
14 5 18 5.5 21 6 24 6.5 27 7 29 7.5 30 8 30 8.5 30 9
TOEFL iBT® Scores • TOEFL® scores are
accepted at 9,000+ universities, immigration agencies, and other organisations
• No passing or failing score
• Scores ready online in 10 days with notification sent by email
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TOEFL iBT® Testing in Australia
• All TOEFL iBT tests are conducted in ETS-approved test centres
• TOEFL iBT test centres are currently located in: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth • Test registration is done online. The test costs USD 300 in
Australia • ID requirements are strictly enforced • No marking is done at test centres • Scores are delivered online; secure
paper copies are available if required • ETS conducts unannounced audits
of test centres.
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Support for Applicants
Free TOEFL MOOC – June 2016 Structured as a 6-week course:
• Introduction • Reading • Listening • Speaking • Writing • General preparation and tips
MOOC will include:
• Video content • Sample questions and explanations • Questions to check for understanding • Discussion threads • Links to registration; discounted test prep offers https://www.edx.org/course/toeflr-test-preparation-insiders-guide-etsx-toeflx#. 10
Social Media: 3.8MM followers
Global and country Facebook
Since Aug 2014
LinkedIn Since May 2015
Sina Weibo China Microblog WeChat China Messaging app
TOEFL TV Channel
Tencent China Microblog
TOEFL TV Channel for China since Sept 2014
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Social Media – 2016 Campaign My dream, my potential, my
journey • New campaign launched in March 2016 • Built around 5 test-takers, covering a range of
experiences • Speaks to phases of test-taker journey:
• Awareness, Preparation, Registration
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toeflgoanywhere.org
• Test taker-facing site • Responsive design
(from 2014 revamp) • 3 languages: English,
Chinese, Korean • Spanish launched
11 February 2016
• Destination Search • Study. Learn. Live. –
The TOEFL® Blog • Interactive modules
• Around the World • What’s Your Study
Personality
• Prep Resources and videos
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TOEFL Registration Special
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Get 5 free practice tests with your TOEFL IBT® registration — for a limited time only! Be one of the first 5,000 to register now through June 30, 2016 to take the TOEFL® test and you'll receive a FREE eBook* with 5 real practice tests! Our exclusive Official TOEFL iBT® Tests with Audio eBook will give your prep an added boost Here's what you have to do: 1 Register to take the test. 2 Complete the request for the TOEFL E Book at https://www.pages03/net.ets/toeflebook/specialoffer
Free TOEFL iBT® Test Preparation • TOEFL iBT® Interactive Sampler
• Provides free unlimited access to past TOEFL iBT® questions from all four sections of the test
• Includes interactive Reading and Listening questions, as well as sample responses to Speaking and Writing questions
• TOEFL iBT® Test Questions • A free set of TOEFL iBT questions used in previous tests,
in PDF format
• TOEFL iBT® Test Prep Planner • An eight-week preparation plan with tips and activities to
build each of the four skills
• TOEFL iBT® Quick Prep • A free practice tool that has questions
from past TOEFL iBT tests with downloadable audio files
http://www.toeflgoanywhere.org/toefl-practice
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TOEFL iBT® Test Prep
The Official Guide to the TOEFL® Test • Test prep handbook from ETS
Official TOEFL iBT® Tests with Audio • Five practice tests + audio CD
TOEFL® Practice Online • Complete online practice tests
TOEFL® Online Prep • Online tutorial with up to 80 hours of content over a 6-month subscription
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Support for Agents
Propell® Workshops – available in 20 countries
• One-day professional development program designed to help English-language teachers with TOEFL Prep
• Provides instructional techniques and strategies for using the integrated-skills approach to teaching language and for preparing students for success
• Led by ETS-approved facilitators in an interactive, hands-on classroom setting
• Teachers will receive a Propell workshop kit that will guide them on teaching techniques and activities and help them learn more about the benefits of the TOEFL iBT test.
• https://www.ets.org/toefl/teachers_advisors/propell_workshop
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TOEFL iBT Test Score verification
• Verification of the TOEFL iBT test result from your client. Provide a scanned copy of the test result along with your name, organisation’s name and your contact details to [email protected].
• You will be advised if: The score is verified as being the same as in the ETS
database The score is under investigation The score is not verified You can request a score review, if the score is verified but you are concerned it may not be valid.
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TOEFL Newsletters • Keep up to date with four editions of the Advisor Quarterly
annually. Recurring articles include Feature of the Month and Security Matters
• Sign up for free Advisor Quarterly editions or order free TOEFL test brochures at:
https://www.ets.org/toefl/teachers_advisors/advisor_toolkit
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Australia – free events
• Face-to-face meetings in your office to brief staff on TOEFL testing
• Information sessions on TOEFL testing for your office
seminar program • TOEFL Prep Speaking and Writing
• Sydney 23 June 2.00- 4.30pm • Melbourne 20 September 2.00 – 4.30pm Contact Cath Moore [email protected] to register
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Australia – free events (cont)
Agent breakfast Adelaide • Friday 6 May
Agent lunch Melbourne • Wednesday 18 May 2016 • Hear more about the benefits of
TOEFL testing • Get an update on the IEAA project funded by DOET,
developing an agent framework for Australia • Meet the local TOEFL test centre Contact Helen Cook [email protected] for an invitation
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Useful TOEFL iBT® test websites • Online test registration and payment
• https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register
• Fees for testing, rescoring of speaking and writing items, late registration
• https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/about/fees/
• List of test centres/dates available in each city • https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register/centers_dates?WT.ac
=toeflhome_centersdates_121127 • See test registration system for addresses/dates/times
• Test preparation material • http://www.toeflgoanywhere.org/toefl-practice
• TOEFL Practice Online – full practice test providing scores and feedback
• http://toeflpractice.ets.org/
• TOEFL Online Prep Program – self-help prep program • http://www.ets.org/s/toefl/onlineprep/
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Key professional body ELP requirements • CPA Australia: http://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/become-a-
cpa/migration-assessment/english-language-requirements • IPA: https://www.publicaccountants.org.au/about-
us/immigration/english-competency • CAANZ: http://www.charteredaccountants.com.au/The-
Institute/Migration-assessment/How-to-Apply/Skills-assessment/English-language-requirement
• AHPRA: http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-
Standards/English-language-skills.aspx • Engineers Australia: https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au
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Thank You!