Koreans` English test scores still low

By Hyun Ji-hyang



Koreans came second bottom ovearall in the General Training Module (GTM) for the International English Language Test System (IELTS), a worldwide English test, according to news reports.

IELTS is jointly managed by British Council, IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations through more than 500 locations and 120 countries.

The GTM is an examination used for people emigrating or having career training.

Korean test-takers received average 5.33 points out of 9, securing the rank of 39th among the 40 nations that participated in the test. They earned 5.28 in speaking, 5.08 in writing, 5.43 in listening and 5.27 in reading.

England took the first place, scoring 8.10 points, followed by South Africa (7.51 points), Singapore (7.20 points), and Zimbabwe (7.03 points). The lowest in the level was the United Arab Emirates with 4.55 points.

In the Academic Module, an exam for those preparing to study abroad, Koreans came 28th by earning 5.74 points.

An expert in English education reportedly said, "Koreans have basic conversational English skills. However, they commit many mistakes in interpretation and lack fluency and especially, Korean education system that only focuses on reading seems to have brought lower speaking grades."

(jenellehyun@naver.com)