The IELTS nine-band scale is well-known and recognized globally. It provides clear and unambiguous levels that are used by universities, government departments, and organizations worldwide to determine the required level of English proficiency for admissions, visas, and various other purposes.
1. CEFR – The Global Standard for Language Levels
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) was developed by the Council of Europe in the 1990s and published in 2001. It is the most widely used tool for describing foreign language proficiency levels.
The CEFR has global usage, despite its name. For example, many governments worldwide set CEFR level B1 as an objective for language learning at the end of secondary education or for university graduates.
2. Describing Language Proficiency Levels
The CEFR defines six proficiency levels, starting from basic level A1 to the advanced level C2, which corresponds approximately to IELTS band 9.
Unlike focusing on vocabulary or grammar points, the CEFR emphasizes specific skills such as describing, presenting, and negotiating. It provides valuable insights into how these skills evolve and change as language studies progress.
In addition to explaining the six levels of proficiency, the CEFR includes detailed Can Do statements that describe what learners can typically do at each level. IELTS is designed to assess English language proficiency in real-life contexts, with tasks that involve complex graph and chart descriptions, inference listening, information synthesis from multiple passages, and presenting and maintaining arguments in real-time speaking interviews.
3. IELTS Alignment with the CEFR
It’s essential to understand that the CEFR is not an accreditation scheme. Each test provider, including IELTS, conducts its research and provides evidence to demonstrate how their test aligns with the CEFR levels.
IELTS has been working in collaboration with the CEFR since the 1990s. Extensive studies have been conducted to compare IELTS band scores with the CEFR levels. Close examination of the scores of test takers who have taken IELTS and other tests has also been carried out.
As a quick guide:
- An IELTS score of 5.5-6.5 is equivalent to CEFR level B2, which is often required by organizations.
- IELTS scores of 7-8 correspond to CEFR level C1, widely accepted for admission to universities in English-speaking countries.
The diagram below provides a comprehensive illustration of how IELTS scores compare to the CEFR:
For more information on how IELTS aligns with the CEFR, visit preptoeic.click.
4. Rigorous Alignment with the CEFR
While some tests, including those produced by the IELTS Partners, are precisely aligned with the CEFR levels, many other test providers only provide an approximate statement of equivalence. Some online-only tests claim to compare their levels to the CEFR but may cover only a limited range of the skills described in the Can Do statements.
These organizations may also assert that their scores are equivalent to IELTS band scores by publishing concordance tables. However, it is advised to approach these claims with caution, as these tests might not adequately cover essential writing and speaking skills, especially for university admissions.
The close alignment with the CEFR is one of the reasons why IELTS is considered the ideal English language test for higher education institutions.
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