Cebu International EFL Conference

Abstract of paper

Author
Cecilia Periera

Title
Bridging the Gap between Academic Writing for IELTS Requirements and Assessments

The writing tests for the International English Language Testing System, (IELTS) include two different tasks to complete within a time frame of an hour. Task 1 requires candidates to write at least 150 words and Task 2 requires at least 250 words.  Very often, candidates find it challenging to acquire the minimum band scores as required by most tertiary institutions in English speaking countries.

In the context of assessment practices in higher education, evidence asserts that it is important for students to clearly understand the requirements of the assessment process as well as the criteria and standards being applied in order to be effective learners.  Therefore, assessment processes need to be made more transparent to the learners through clear articulation of assessment criteria, and the criteria weightings so as to engage learners in an active way for a more effective and complete transfer of meaningful knowledge to take place.  This presentation will highlight general techniques of assessment issues and how the knowledge of these issues can raise EFL teachers’ awareness in improving students’ competencies in writing for this test. The session will also bring to focus on the metrics that can be used to monitor assessment quality and explore how they can be used to anticipate or identify why and when errors occur.

    References:

1.  IELTS Examination Papers with Answers (2005) Cambridge University Press, UK

2.  Matthews, Margaret, Salisbury, Katy Focus on Skills for IELTS Foundation (2007) Pearson Education, UK

3   Michael Black, Wendy Sharp Cambridge Objective IELTS (2006) Cambridge University Press, UK

4.  Michael Black, Wendy Sharp Cambridge Objective IELTS Workbook (2006) Cambridge University Press, UK

5.  Pamela Humphreys IELTS Express Intermediate Workbook, Thompson Learning, UK           

6.  Patrick Bourne, High Impact IELTS Academic Module (2004) Pearson Education, New Zealand        

7.  Sue O’ Connell, Focus on IELTS Foundation (2006) Pearson Education Ltd. UK             

8.  Terry, Morgan, Wilson, Judith IELTS Practice Tests Plus 2 (2005) Pearson Education Ltd. UK