By Cindy Febilia
Hi, I’m Cindy from Indonesia. I want to tell you about my journey to take the IELTS test. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. The IELTS test has two modules: Academic and General Training. I took the academic test because I need to apply for a scholarship for a master’s program. There is a difference between IELTS academic and general. IELTS Academic is intended for those who want to enroll in universities and other institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors, engineers, and nurses who want to study or practice in an English-speaking country. It is mainly for those who are trying for a non-immigrant student visa. Meanwhile, IELTS General Training is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes.
There are four parts to the IELTS test: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The IELTS is scored on a nine-band scale, with each band corresponding to a specified competence in English. In my city, called Bandung, there are two places, the IDP (International Development Program) and the British Council to take an IELTS test. I chose IDP because they provide a direct speaking test. It helps me relax when I meet the examiner in person.
I took an IELTS private class for around one year to practice and tried two times for the test. The first time, I only got band 6 which is not enough to apply for scholarships from a government or university. The requirement to apply for a scholarship at the University of Leeds for majoring in Childhood Studies is 6.5 overall and no score below 6. I also applied to the University of Warwick for their Childhood in Society Program which needs band 7. I struggled to get that score and practiced every day.
So, I took the test again and I got a score 6.5. Now I am still processing the scholarship and waiting for the result. I applied to the University of Leeds too and got an unconditional letter of acceptance.
Learning IELTS and taking the test are good experiences for me because I am not only learning English but learning to never give up.
Elaine Bacon Literacy Program 