IELTS Life Skills represents a specialized examination offered by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge Assessment English. Its primary aim is to evaluate individuals’ proficiency in English speaking and listening within specific contexts, particularly for immigration or obtaining visas in designated English-speaking nations. Unlike the more common IELTS Academic or General Training tests, IELTS Life Skills exclusively emphasizes communication skills in real-life situations
The test is structured into two proficiency levels:
IELTS Life Skills A1: Geared towards individuals needing to validate their speaking and listening abilities at the CEFR level A1, often required for family and partner visa applications.
IELTS Life Skills B1: Intended for those demonstrating speaking and listening proficiency at the CEFR level B1, commonly mandated for citizenship and settlement applications in certain English-speaking countries.
The IELTS Life Skills examination involves a one-on-one interview with an examiner and comprises two key segments:
Part 1: Introduction and Interview (lasting 4-5 minutes): The examiner introduces themselves, verifies the test taker’s identity, and prompts the test taker to discuss familiar topics like home, work, studies, and interests.
Part 2: Collaborative Task (lasting 6-7 minutes): The examiner provides a task and prompts. The test taker and their partner (another test taker) engage in a discussion to reach a decision. This task is designed to evaluate the ability to express opinions, exchange information, and make decisions through conversation.
IELTS Life Skills primarily focuses on the effective communication of individuals in English during everyday situations. This test is especially pertinent for those seeking to reside, work, or reunite with family members in English-speaking countries, requiring fulfillment of language requirements for immigration or visa purposes
