English proficiency in India 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 results achieved by Indian IELTS test takers in 2011 show that proficiency in three of four areas of English language – writing, speaking and listening – has increased since 2010.
The IELTS partners said the data reinforced IELTS as the world’s premier English language test.
“Results from 2011 show Indian test takers are committed to English studies and improving their proficiency in the language,” British Council’s Sarah Deverall said.
“More and more people each year across India 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.
“We undergo an extensive range of test research and test development so candidates and recognising organisations alike can be confident all results are accurate and reliable. IELTS is designed to encourage test takers to enhance their real world English effectively,” Cambridge ESOL’s Mike Milanovic concluded.
The average IELTS score in India increased from 6 to 6.1 (on the IELTS scale from 1 to 9) in 2011 while the biggest improvement was in speaking skills, which increased to 6.2. Listening was the strongest competency amongst Indian people taking the test in 2011. Data is taken from test takers who sat the IELTS Academic test.
There are 64 IELTS test centres located across India including Jaipur, Trivandrum and Amritsar.
IELTS test results are requested by more than 7,000 education institutions, governments and employers around the globe to provide accurate and reliable measurement of English language proficiency.
More than 1.7 million IELTS tests were sat in 2011, a 12% increase compared to 2010.
Share: