Demand for IELTS Increases Around the World
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) reinforces its position as the world’s most popular high stakes English proficiency test, hitting a new record of more than 1.7 million tests sat around the world in 2011.
IELTS is now recognised by more than 7,000 organisations including educational institutions, employers, professional associations and governments, in 135 countries around the world. IELTS has cemented its position as the world’s most popular high stakes English language test by providing a reliable measure of a candidate’s ability across the four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking.
English proficiency increases in France
English proficiency in France is increasing according to new data from the world’s most popular high stakes English language test, IELTS (the International English Language Testing System).
The IELTS partners said the results reinforced IELTS as the world’s premier English language test.
“Results from 2011 show French test takers are committed to English studies and improving their proficiency in the language,” British Council’s Helga Stellmacher said.
“More and more people each year in France are choosing to sit IELTS and increase their global education and employment opportunities. IELTS results can open doors for people to study in the USA, UK or Australia, or obtain a visa to live and work in places such as Canada or Australia,” John Belleville, IDP: IELTS Australia, added.
The average IELTS score in France increased from 6.7 to 6.8 on the IELTS scale from 1 to 9 in 2011. The biggest improvement was in speaking skills, which increased to an average score of 6.8, and was the strongest competency amongst people in France taking the test in 2011.
There are eight IELTS test centres located across France including Bordeaux, Lyon and Strasbourg.