IELTS Life Skills A1 – B1 Level

IELTS LIFE SKILLS

IELTS LIFE SKILLS

IELTS Life Skills - Speaking And Listening

IELTS Life Skills is for people who need to show that their English speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels A1 or B1. Before you register for your test you should check the English language requirements for your visa category.

If you are in the UK, contact UK Visas and Immigration (part of the UK Home Office). If you are anywhere else in the world, you should contact the British Embassy or High Commission in your country.

IELTS Life Skills

Test Overview

IELTS Life Skills is available at two levels:

IELTS Life Skills – A1 Speaking and Listening
IELTS Life Skills – B1 Speaking and Listening

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.

A1
focus	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
Tasks may include	talk with another person in a familiar situation about familiar topics. 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

focus

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

Tasks may include

talk with another person in a familiar situation about familiar topics.
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

B1
Focus	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 prioritizing planning persuading narrating asking about past or future events expressing future certainty or possibility

Focus

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
prioritizing
planning
persuading
narrating
asking about past or future events
expressing future certainty or possibility

FAQs

How will I 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

At times during the test, you will be allowed to take notes to prepare your answers. The examiner will not mark your notes – only your speaking and listening skills are marked during the test.

At What Level Is IELTS Life Skills?

IELTS Life Skills is available at A1 and B1 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This is an international standard used around the world to describe learners' language skills

What Happen During The Test?

There are two main parts to IELTS Life Skills:]

In the first part, you are expected to ask and answer questions on familiar topics.
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 makes 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.

Why Do I Take The Test With Another Candidate?

IELTS Life Skills tests how well you can communicate with other people in everyday English. The best way to test these skills is to pair test takers at a similar level of ability, so you can show how well you can speak English to communicate and engage in discussion with others.

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

Test Dates Test Dates For IELTS Life Skills

To find a suitable test date and register for an IELTS Life Skills test, please visit www.ielts.org

Results Results For IELTS Life Skills Tests

Test results are normally available within seven (7) days of your test. You will get one of two results:

Pass
Below pass

A fail result means that you have not been successful and your test cannot be used for your visa application.