All about IELTS scores

[BobK]

I have an interview tomorrow afternoon for a pre-sessional EAP teaching position. I'm looking for help deciphering the requirements.

In particular I need to know what 'Ability to teach a range of levels (IELTS 4.0-8.0)' means. I understand the first seven words of course (!) but I have no experience with IELTS at all. I've looked on the IELTS website, but can't find a brief spec. of what the levels mean. They'll send me a DVD*, but it's a bit late** for that!

Any ideas?

Thanks

b

PS
* Also, as it's 4 years old, I'm not sure it's worth the £15!
** I loathe these 'need help now' posts - I always think 'Fail to prepare -> Prepare to fail; tough' So... pretty please.

[Tdol]

Band 8 are very advanced users, able to do anything- if not to the standards of accuracy of a native speaker, then close enough. They should waltz through Proficiency if they're getting that sort of grade. When I was teaching pre-sessional, 7.5 was considered enough to do a post-graduate degree in Law, though I believe there may be a bit of grade inflation going on internationally and the bar may be 8 now, but if they can cope with legal English comfortably, they can cope with pretty much anything. Science courses tended to ave lower requirements (around 6)

Band 4 are ropey intermediates and barring miracles are probably not going to make the language grade for most courses.

[BobK]

Thanks very much. I think you're right - anyone at 8.0 probably wouldn't bother with the course! The University of Reading - where I'm applying - has a minimum of 6.0 for Arts/Humanities courses, and 5.5 for science courses. I imagine the course will be aimed at bringing people up to those minimum values.

Not long now...

b