What does IELTS Life Skills assess?

IELTS Life Skills is a specific module of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) designed to assess the speaking and listening skills of individuals in the context of everyday communication. It is different from the traditional IELTS Academic or General Training modules, as it focuses specifically on real-life communication skills rather than academic or general English proficiency. IELTS Life Skills is primarily used for immigration and visa purposes in some countries. The test evaluates an individual's ability to communicate in English at a basic or intermediate level, depending on the specific test (Life Skills A1 or Life Skills B1). Here's what each level assesses: IELTS Life Skills A1: This level assesses the ability to understand and use basic expressions and phrases in a simple, practical context. It evaluates the candidate's ability to handle very basic social situations and to communicate in a simple way. IELTS Life Skills B1: This level assesses a slightly higher proficiency in English. It evaluates the ability to understand and express opinions and information on everyday topics in a familiar context. Candidates are expected to participate in discussions, express viewpoints, and interact in a more complex manner compared to A1 level. In both levels, the focus is on assessing practical communication skills rather than academic language proficiency. The test is often used for immigration purposes, especially for family reunion visas or settlement in countries where IELTS Life Skills is a requirement. The assessment is done through face-to-face interviews where candidates engage in conversations and discussions with an examiner to demonstrate their speaking and listening abilities. read less