Interview with Brian Smith
Stakeholder Engagement Manager, IDP IELTS Australia
Brian Smith has attended the annual CamTESOL Conference on English Language Teaching each year since 2017. At the 15th CamTESOL, Brian gave a presentation to Cambodian Provincial Teachers on the role of IELTS in improving career prospects for English language teachers, a presentation on the role of IELTS in benchmarking English for professional and career development and two presentations on the benefits of computer-delivered IELTS, which was launched in Cambodia in January 2019. During the conference, the I’mACE team caught up with Brian for an exclusive interview on his experiences at CamTESOL and perspective on computer-delivered IELTS in Cambodia.
What is the background on how computer-delivered IELTS came to reality?
This came down a few years ago when we start working with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to develop computer-delivered tests for 20 countries around the world. This helped us to develop the base technology for the computer-delivered IELTS. Drawing from these experiences we were able to further the technologies until we could get the whole test to run on a secure platform. It took a lot of time and technical issues to be happy with the design. Once that process was worked through, we were able to launch computer delivered IELTS in December 2017 in Australia.
Tell us a little about computer-delivered IELTS in Cambodia and around the world.
Computer-delivered IELTS has just launched in Cambodia, but what we are seeing already is that it is already quite popular. The test sessions are being booked up very quickly and people are keen to do it. From what I see in the world, and from the candidates from varies countries, is that we need to talk to people, explain to them that it is the same test, but it’s just in a different format. Then the word spreads and people are generally quite keen to try out.
How has computer-delivered IELTS has been received?
CDI have been received very well, fantastically in fact. From what we are hearing from people who take the test, they appreciate fast results and more flexible timings for their tests. In addition the testing experience is more comfortable. People find themselves very relaxed taking a test in a smaller, environment which allows them to perform at their best on test day.
How is computer-delivered IELTS different from the paper-based version?
In term of the test itself, there is absolutely no difference; the questions are the same; the scoring is the same; the structures are the same. The only difference is that we are using a keyboard not a paper and pencil. We still run our face-to-face speaking test and other tests that is be run by the examiners. So fundamentally, the test is still identical. It’s just that we are using a computer and a keyboard rather than a paper and a pencil. If you still want paper and pencil, then the paper-based test is for you but for the computer-delivered IELTS, the structures haven’t changed.
If someone was trying to decide between paper-based and computer-delivered IELTS, what advice would you give them?
My advice would be for you to consider your choice based on personal preferences. So if you are someone who is not so comfortable using a manual keyboard and computer, and more comfortable with paper and pencil then paper-based IELTS is for you. But if you are comfortable with using a computer then absolutely go for the computer-delivered IELTS. If you aren’t sure which to choose, talk to our staff, they will be able to help you choose the option that suits you best.