ESL Testing: TOEFL, IELTS, FCE, and MELAB
This page offers information on four ESL testing programs: TOEFL, IELTS, FCE, and MELAB.
Please see each of the headings below for information on the format of the exams.
The second part of this page gives tips on how to improve your ESL English language skills.
The TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
This exam is required for admission to certain colleges and universities in the United States.
The TOEFL has four parts: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
The TOEFL is usually administered on the computer and is called the iBT: Internet Based Test.
The new version of the TOEFL is an integrated exam.
“Integrated” means that two or more skills are assessed on each part of the exam.
For example, you will need to read a passage and listen to a lecture in order to complete your writing task.
You will need to listen to a recorded conversation and give a spoken commentary on it for your speaking test.
IELTS
The IELTS is the International English Language Testing System.
The IELTS is required in order to attend universities in Great Britain and Australia.
The IELTS exam is usually taken on paper, rather than on a computer.
This exam has four parts: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
The reading and listening parts of the IELTS are similar to the reading and listening sections of the TOEFL.
However, the writing task on the IELTS is quite different.
You will be asked to interpret a pie chart or table containing statistical data on the IELTS writing test.
Your IELTS speaking test may take place with another student, with whom you will need to carry out the speaking task.
IELTS Exercises and Exam Information
FCE
The FCE is the Cambridge First Certificate Exam.
The FCE assesses skills at the upper-intermediate level.
The FCE is on a level similar to the Michigan Lower Exam.
MELAB
If you would like further information on the MELAB, please visit our MELAB Page.