28
ANI SUSANA, 2012
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
|
repository.upi.edu
OLoughlin and Wigglesworth 2003 conducted a study on task difficulty in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. The study examined firstly, the extent to
which the difficulty of the task is affected by the amount of information provided to the candidate and secondly, the extent to which the difficulty of the task is
affected by the presentation of the information to the candidate. The findings indicated that there were no substantial differences in difficulty between the tasks,
either in terms of the amount of information presented or in terms of the differences in presentation of the tasks. Brown 2003 wanted to find out whether
handwriting and neatness have any impact on the overall judgment of the IELTS writing quality of the candidates or not. The findings of her study clearly indicated
that in general the quality of handwriting in IELTS did not have an impact on the scores awarded to essays, and that increased legibility results in higher ratings.
Despite numerous studies on IELTS Writing, in Indonesia there is no research on students’ problems in completing the Writing tasks of IELTS.
Instigated by the fact, the researcher conducted a study on exploring students’ problems in accomplishing Writing Task 1 of IELTS Academic Module.
2.7 IELTS Test
IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who want to study or work where
English is the language of communication. IELTS is recognized by over 6,000 organizations worldwide, including universities employers, professional bodies,
immigration authorities and other government agencies IELTS Guide, 2011.
29
ANI SUSANA, 2012
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
|
repository.upi.edu
IELTS is internationally focused in its content. For example, a range of native-speaker accents North American, Australian, New Zealand, and British is
used in the Listening test, and all standard varieties of English are accepted in candidates’ responses in all parts of the world. This four-skill test has become the
world’s most popular English language proficiency test IELTS Guide, 2011. IELTS has become increasingly recognized as a “secure, valid and reliable
indicator of true to life ability to communicate in English for education, immigration and professional accreditation” UCLES, 2007, cited in Abe, 2008;
Griffiths, 2011. For overseas candidates wishing to study in tertiary institutions in the United Kingdom or Australia, in particular, IELTS is the most widely
recognized assessment of English language proficiency Tucker and van Bemmel, 2006.
There are two modules in IELTS test and candidates can choose either general training or academic module depended on their purpose of taking the test.
Candidates planning university study should take the IELTS Academic Module, whereas those who wish to enroll in vocational training or secondary school
should take the IELTS General Training Module. The two modules differ only in the reading and writing subtests; listening and speaking subtests are the same.
The IELTS test comprises four parts, called ‘modules’ or ‘subtests: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking module. The time allotted to each part
is not the same, expect for Reading and Writing modules. The candidates have about 30 minutes for completing Listening subtest, 11-14 minutes for Speaking,
Reading, and Writing tasks should be finished by the candidates in the same
30
ANI SUSANA, 2012
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
|
repository.upi.edu
amount of time, that is 60 minutes for each. So, the entire test takes around two hours and 45 minutes.
Candidates receive scores on a Band Scale from 1 to 9 for each skill tested. They are equal importance. These four scores are then averaged and rounded to
produce an Overall Band Score Hashemi and Thomas, 2011: 6. IELTS scores bands of Academic Module have been used to determine whether the applicants
have sufficiency skills to follow studies at an undergraduate or a postgraduate level in English speaking countries. To get a clear picture, the IELTS 9-band scale
Hashemi Thomas, 2011: 7; IELTS Guide, 2011: 12 is stated here.
IELTS Band Scores
9 Expert User –
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
8 Very good user - Has fully operational command of the language with only
occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriaces. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
7 Good user - Has fully operational command of the language, though with
occasional inaccuracies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally
handles complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. 6 Competent user –
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and
understand fairly complex language, paricularly in familiar situations.
31
ANI SUSANA, 2012
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
|
repository.upi.edu
5 Modest user – Has partial command of the language, coping with overall
meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be
able to handle basic communication in own field. 4 Limited user
– Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent
problems in understanding and expressions. Is not able to use complex language. 3 Extremely limited user
– Conveys and understands only general meaning in
very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. 2 Intermittent user
– No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and
to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1 Non-user – Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a
few isolated word.
Did not attempt the test – No assessable information provided.
2.8 Writing of IELTS Academic Module
