The Different Tests for English as a Second Language
If you are a learner of English as a Second (or third) Language, the decision of which test to take could be (1) overwhelming. If you are a student from China that wants to study Physics in the U.S., should you take the TOEFL or the TOEIC? Which is the best test to take in order to study in the U.K.? This passage is designed to help (2) inform the student of English as a Second Language (ESL) of the different tests that are out there.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language, or more commonly known as TOEFL (“toe full”), was designed by a professor from Stanford University. Its purpose is to examine a student’s ability to understand and use English in settings of (3) higher learning in the United States. Meaning it can be required for admission to colleges and universities all over the country. In addition, businesses, government agencies, and scholarship program (among other institutions) may require the TOEFL.
The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC, pronounced “toe ick”) is a less popular evaluation tool than the TOEFL that measures someone’s everyday use of English. Although there are some agencies that use the TOEIC in the U.S., this test is highly (4) prevalent in Japan to prepare workers to succeed in international environments. The main difference between the TOEFL and the TOEIC is that one is (5) geared toward students, and the other is tailored to workers.
The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS (“eeeelts”), is managed by several institutions in the United Kingdom. This test has two versions: the Academic Version and the General Training Version. It is mainly used in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. There are also several thousand institutions that employ it in the U.S. It is required for immigration to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The interesting feature of this test, compared to the others, is that it incorporated a variety of accents in its listening portion in an effort to avoid linguistic bias.
So, how do you know which test to take? The best route to take is to contact the institution you are planning to join and see what test they require. Happy studying!
According to the passage, which of the following institutions in the U.S. does NOT require the TOEFL?
