IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Kieran O'Loughlin
IELTS (International English Language Testing System), is a high-stakes test used globally for assessing the English proficiency of prospective immigrants and international students with a first language other than English.
Since 1997 Language and Literacy Education's Dr Kieran O'Loughlin has undertaken a range of funded projects for IELTS. Previous projects have examined:
- the impact of gender in the speaking test, the effect of quantity and presentation of information in the written test (with Jill Wigglesworth);
- the relationship between intensive pre-university English language study and band score gains (with Cathie Elder); and
- how IELTS scores are used for university selection in Australia.
Dr O'Loughlin is currently working on a project which examines the issue of IELTS exit score gains in higher education with Sophie Arkoudis from the Centre for the Study of Higher Education. Specifically, the study investigates the nature and rate of improvement that can be expected of students completing undergraduate and postgraduate courses as well as the range of educational, personal and social factors impacting on this improvement. The findings will also have implications for the potential use of the IELTS as an exit test for graduates in higher education within English-medium contexts.