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.

The full analysis of 2011 test data can be viewed at www.ielts.org/researchers. 

 
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, the world’s most 
popular high stakes English language test. 7,000 organisations recognise IELTS 
as a secure, valid and reliable indicator of true to life ability to 
communicate in English for education, immigration and professional 
accreditation. IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia 
and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL).

British Council is the UK's international organisation for education and 
cultural relations. Dedicated to building trust through the exchange of 
knowledge between people worldwide, the British Council is represented in more 
than 100 countries. 

IDP: IELTS Australia is a subsidiary of IDP Education – owned by the Australian 
public universities and one of the world’s leading international education 
organisations, offering student placement in Australia, the USA Canada, New 
Zealand and the UK. IDP Education has more than 40 years’ experience in 
international higher education, having placed more than 300,000 students in 
Australia over the last 25 years.

University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) is the world's 
leading provider of exams for learners of English. Each year the exams are 
taken by more than three million people, in 135 countries.

About the test
Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. All tests 
are scored on a banded system from 1 (the lowest) through to 9 (the highest 
possible band score). 

IELTS offers a choice of two versions, to serve both academic and non-academic 
purposes. IELTS Academic module measures English language proficiency needed 
for an academic, higher learning environment. The tasks and texts are 
accessible to all test-takers, irrespective of their subject focus. IELTS 
General Training module measures English language proficiency in a practical, 
everyday context. The tasks and texts reflect both workplace and social 
situations. The General Training module is suitable for immigration purposes to 
Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

A sample of government and professional associations who recognise or require 
applicants to hold an IELTS test report form include:
*  Citizenship and Immigration Canada 
*  Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
*  UK Home Office – Border Agency
*  New Zealand Immigration Service
*  Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and National 
   Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), USA
*  International Monetary Fund
*  General Medical Council (GMC) – UK
*  Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) – UK

For further information or interviews, please contact:
Arj Ganeshalingam					
Porter Novelli						
Phone:  +61 3 9289 9555						
Mobile: +61 421 690 204					
Email:  aganeshalingam@porternovelli.com.au	
	
Nicole Hamilton
Porter Novelli
Phone:  +61 3 9289 9555
Mobile: +61 419 316 621 
Email:  nhamilton@porternovelli.com.au

SOURCE: IELTS