All You Need to Know about Toefl & Ielts
Whether you are a student seeking university admission or scholarships, a graduate aiming to enhance your employability, or a seasoned professional striving to develop your career skills and embrace lifelong learning, mastering a second language will be an essential aspect in your endeavors. There are various factors to consider before choosing a language to learn, such as the specific institutions you wish to apply to or the country you plan to work in. However, the most popular choice worldwide is English – the language of opportunities. With over two billion speakers, English stands as one of the most widely spoken languages globally and is recognized as the official or one of the official languages in many countries. Furthermore, technological advancements and heavy reliance on computers and the internet have propelled the widespread use and significance of English in the daily lives of students and professionals alike, extending even to leisure activities and hobbies. As English fluency became a fundamental requirement in numerous academic and professional fields, diverse educational, governmental, and professional entities have developed various proficiency tests and assessment systems with the aim of establishing a unified standard for English language proficiency worldwide.
However, possessing a skill and having tangible proof of that skill are entirely different things. Holding tangible certification that attests to your English language proficiency will open up numerous opportunities in education and employment. Prestigious universities worldwide, like Yale, Princeton, Oxford, and others, as well as universities in Qatar such as Qatar University and Education City universities, often require students to obtain either TOEFL or IELTS certifications with specific minimum scores. Additionally, thousands of organizations and institutions around the globe recognize these certificates as evidence of English language proficiency when evaluating their employees. Notably among them are the United Nations on the international level, Qatar Foundation locally.
Which One to Choose?
No doubt you have heard of the “Test of English as a Foreign Language” (TOEFL) certificate, offered by the American Educational Testing Services (ETS); and the “International English Language Testing System” (IELTS) provided by the British Council in collaboration with the Cambridge Assessment English, and the Australian International Development Program. As previously mentioned, obtaining a certificate of this kind aims to open as many doors as possible for its holder. Therefore, the first criterion for choosing the appropriate test should be the global recognition of the certificate.
The second criterion relates to your purpose in obtaining this certification. If you intend to apply to a specific institution, you should reach out to them to determine which certificate they recognize. It is important to know that the nature of the test itself varies depending on the purpose. For IELTS, you can opt for the Academic test, which qualifies you for university admission and higher education, or you can take the General test – relatively easier than its counterpart, designed for immigration purposes.
It is also advisable to choose a test that aligns with your linguistic background. TOEFL is based on American English and is, therefore, recognized in American and Canadian universities, while IELTS relies on British English, making it accepted in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Scotland. Although the two dialects are quite similar, you will find that accent is not the only difference between them. Some words are spelled differently and carry different meanings, and there are certain words used in American English that are not employed in its British counterpart, though they may be understood.
If you have reached this stage and your choice is still unclear, and both tests offer what you need, understanding the testing mechanisms might help you decide:
The IELTS test is conducted 48 times per year and is offered in both Academic and General formats. It is administered in pre-designated centers, totaling around 900 centers worldwide. The test duration ranges from two and a half to three hours. On the other hand, the TOEFL test can be taken on paper or online (known as the TOEFL iBT test). It is available in more than 4500 equipped centers worldwide, offering the test over 50 times annually. However, the online version cannot be taken from home and has a duration of approximately four hours.
Both tests consist of the same four sections:
Listening
The TOEFL test takes 60-90 minutes, while the IELTS test takes 30 minutes. This section evaluates your ability to comprehend English speech by listening to conversations or short lectures and answering questions related to them.
Reading
The TOEFL test takes 60-80 minutes, and the IELTS test takes 60 minutes. In this section, you will read multiple texts on various topics and answer questions derived from these texts to assess your reading speed and comprehension without the aid of translation tools.
Writing
The TOEFL test lasts for 50 minutes, whereas the IELTS test gives you 60 minutes. You will be required to write a short essay on one or two topics or provide explanations for presented charts or graphs.
Speaking
This is a fundamental and significant difference between the two tests. In the TOEFL test, your speech is recorded using a microphone, and your pronunciation is evaluated later. The speaking section lasts for 20 minutes. On the other hand, in the IELTS test, you will have a face-to-face interview with an examiner from the application center, which typically lasts for a quarter of an hour.
Consider carefully which of the two testing systems suits you better in terms of test duration and style, especially concerning the speaking test. Some individuals might find it challenging to speak their second language in front of another person, and in such cases, the TOEFL test format may be more suitable.
Preparing For the Test
Now that your decision is clearer, it is essential to understand that English proficiency tests assess your language abilities, unlike other subjects where memorization and comprehension of specific topics help you pass the exams. Nonetheless, preparation for these tests is crucial, and it involves enhancing your language skills and practicing test-taking strategies to perform well within the limited time provided. While you can always retake the test if you are dissatisfied with the results, it consumes both your time and money. Therefore, it is better to prepare well from the first attempt.
The preparation process consists of two essential stages:
First Stage:
Focus on improving your language abilities and practice using English in writing, reading, speaking, and listening. There are various resources available to assist you during this stage. We recommend concentrating on sources that use the dialect in which you will be taking the test, whether it is American English or British English.
For example, you can visit news websites that publish materials in English to practice reading news articles quickly and understanding them. Listen to the accompanying audio recordings to assess your comprehension of spoken English. Utilize these written materials to expand your English vocabulary and improve your ability to express yourself in writing by imitating the style of English journalistic writing. Choose a topic from the ones you have read and write your opinion about it, while keeping track of the time needed to complete the writing.
Do not overlook the significant benefit of watching movies or English-speaking videos on platforms like YouTube. They will help you train your ear to different words and accents, enrich your English vocabulary with words used in daily life, and enhance your conversational and listening skills.
During this stage, practice using English as a means of communication, either by conversing with English speakers or practicing with family members to reap the benefits together. You can also practice pronunciation alone if you do not have someone to converse with, using the voice pronunciation feature available in most electronic dictionaries. Try pronouncing and repeating words you find challenging. You can even have conversations with yourself on a chosen topic in English, asking and answering questions in a smooth and straightforward manner, depending on your language proficiency.
Enrolling in in-person language courses is also an option if you have the ability and time. Notably, there are intensive training courses specialized in preparing candidates for English proficiency tests, guiding you through different examination sections. These courses particularly shine in the speaking section, providing you with peers and instructors ready to converse with you and improve your language skills in general.
Second Stage:
This stage involves preparing for the actual test by relying on available online resources that allow you to solve sample tests of the examination you will take, assessing the speed and quality of your performance. Once you officially register for the test, the organizing authorities will provide you with various training materials, including test samples and tips from expert trainers on time management during the test. These tests are known for their strict time constraints, which some find challenging. Nevertheless, with proper preparation, you will find the test easier, and see its allotted time to be more sufficient.
In conclusion, be realistic in your expectations regarding the result you aim to achieve and give yourself ample time for preparation. Test yourself at the beginning of your preparation journey, and then reassess your performance after some time to ensure that your preparation approach yields the desired results.
Do not get discouraged if you feel like your progress is slower than anticipated. Learning a language is a complex process influenced by many factors, and it is a gradual process that rewards dedication, perseverance, and practice. Either you use and develop your language skills, or you simply lose them.
