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eric gg - 15 Feb 2007 13:51 GMT

Hello everybody:
I´ve been doing some research about English international exams and I
was wondering what´s the real difference between Cambridge Main Suite
Exams (FCE, CAE and CPE) and IELTS? What´s the difference when
recognitions is all about? Which one would be better to take when
applying to a job in the industry?
Looking forward to hear from you at your earliest convenience;
Eric

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Django Cat - 15 Feb 2007 18:14 GMT

> Hello everybody:
> I´ve been doing some research about English international exams and I
> was wondering what´s the real difference between Cambridge Main Suite
> Exams (FCE, CAE and CPE) and IELTS? What´s the difference when
> recognitions is all about?

Main Suite exams dictate a curriculum based on General English.

IELTS comes in two flavours; General English and Academic English. By
far the greater number of candidates take the Academic Module, as
IELTS scores are how Universities in the UK and Australia, and
increasingly worldwide (since TOEFL has become somewhat discredited)
assess the English ability of overseas students. To get onto an
undergraduate course in the UK usually requires IELTS of 6.0 upwards.
Some countries require IELTS scores from new immigrants, and this is
where the General Module comes in - and this means some candidates are
native speakers.

In many countries - a colleague was telling me last week this is the
case in Germany - a good Main Suite qualification such as CAE or
Proficiency is considered as good evidence of English ability which
could be used in a job. (In fact I have a lot of problems with
Proficiency, as I don't believe many *native* *speakers* would pass
it, but lets let that go).

>Which one would be better to take when applying to a job in the >industry?

I'd guess you mean 'when applying to a job in industry?', but the
answer is, it depends on which industry, and where you are. If you
want to study at an English-speaking University or College you need
IELTS or TOEFL. However; my feeling is that IELTS courses tend to
train you to pass the IELTS Exam, and you're more likely to improve
your English language all round on a Main Suite course.

DC, IELTS Examiner amongst other things

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paulkaye@activeielts.com - 16 Feb 2007 03:11 GMT

> > Hello everybody:
> > I´ve been doing some research about English international exams and I
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
> DC,IELTSExaminer amongst other things

I think there are a few interesting differences.

My experience has been that people are more successful with IELTS, for
various reasons. It's a more practical exam and needs less
preparation. It's purely skills, none of the notoriously difficult Use
of English which is a feature of Main Suite exams. It's easier to
learn how to pass the exam, for good or bad, as eric gg suggests.
Things like the speaking are more controllable as they only focus on
you, not you and one or two more candidates.

IELTS generally has a lot more recognition now, and you're safer with
it than an Upper Main Suite exam, i.e. CAE or CPE, which some people
accept, and others don't.

Of course a big problem with IELTS is that it is only valid for 2
years, which is probably best but can be a real pain if you have
applications that take a long time, like immigration.

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Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / February 2007

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