IELTS Life Skills
What is it?
IELTS Life Skills is a special IELTS test used to prove your English language abilities in support of a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) application.
NOT accepted in:
Australia
Canada
United States
New Zealand
The main concept...
Yes, we can easily say that this test is easier than other traditional IELTS Tests. (Academic and General module.) This test measures how well you can function in an English Speaking community:
Do you understand people? Can you buy a ticket or buy grocery? What would you do if you wanted to rent a flat or a house? Can you tell someone what others have already told you? And so on..
Where is it accepted?
Currently, IELTS Life Skills is accepted in the UK.
When should you take the test called: IELTS Life Skills?
- IELTS Life Skills is for people who need to show that their English speaking and listening skills.
- If you are applying for UK Visas and Immigration for a 'family of a settled person' visa, IELTS Life Skills A1 is the test for you.
- If you are applying for UK Visas and Immigration for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship, IELTS Life Skills B1 is the test for you.
IELTS Life Skills is available at two levels:
Difference between A1 and B1
•IELTS Life Skills – A1 Speaking and Listening
•IELTS Life Skills – B1 Speaking and Listening
IELTS Life Skills A1
Prove your English speaking and listening skills as part of your application to UK Visas and Immigration for 'family of a settled person' visas
IELTS Life Skills B1
Prove your English speaking and listening skills as part of your application to UK Visas and Immigration for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship.
Structure of the test:
Face-to-face Speaking and Listening test
You will take the test with an examiner, and with one other test taker.
The tasks in IELTS Life Skills are designed to reflect the everyday experience of communicating in an English-speaking country. You will be expected to take part in short discussions on everyday subjects including:
•personal details/experiences
•family and friends
•buying goods
•work
•health
•leisure
•education/training
•transport
•housing
•weather
The focus of IELTS Life Skills
At each level, the test is designed to assess whether you can listen and respond, make your meaning clear, and talk with other people.
IELTS Life Skills A1
You will be expected to:
•listen and respond to spoken language, including simple narratives, statements, questions and single-step instructions
•communicate basic information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics
•talk with another person in a familiar situation about familiar topics.
Tasks may include:
•describing
•giving opinions
•giving personal information
•stating preferences
•commenting
•asking for information or descriptions
•agreeing and disagreeing
•explaining, giving reasons or justifying
•deciding
•suggesting
•selecting
IELTS Life Skills B1
You will be expected to:
•listen and respond to spoken language, including straightforward information and narratives, and follow straightforward explanations and instructions.
•communicate information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics, using appropriate formality.
•talk with one or more people in a familiar situation, making relevant points and responding to what others say to reach a shared understanding about familiar topics.
In addition to the A1 tasks shown above, the B1 tasks may include:
•comparing
•showing contrast, cause, reason or purpose
•prioritising
•planning
•persuading
•narrating
•asking about past or future events
•expressing future certainty or possibility
How long is the test?
For IELTS Life Skills, you only need to attend one short session to complete the test. The times allowed for each level are:
•IELTS Life Skills - A1 Speaking and Listening
• 16–18 minutes
•IELTS Life Skills - B1 Speaking and Listening
• 22 minutes.
How will you be assessed in the test?
You will be assessed on your ability in four key areas:
•obtaining information
•conveying information
•speaking to communicate
•engaging in discussion
How does the test look like?
There are two main parts to IELTS Life Skills:
Part 1
Speaking
In the first part, you are expected to ask and answer questions on familiar topics.
Part 2
Listening and Speaking
The second part is a combined listening and speaking task.
At A1 and B1 level, you will listen to a task played on a CD.
Completing the task allows you to show your ability to listen for both the general meaning and detail.
You will say your answers, although, you can make notes on paper while you listen to the CD.
There will then be a discussion on a theme related to what you have listened to on the CD.
Additionally at B1 level, there is also a task where you plan an activity with the other candidate.
Here is an example of the IELTS Life Skills test! Please note this summary is not the entire test. It demonstrates the structure and the phases of the test!
IELTS Life Skills Summary
