1887
  1. Home
  2. e-Journals
  3. ITL - International Journal of Applied Linguistics
  4. Online First Articles
  5. Online First Article
image of IELTS through test takers’ eyes
PDF
EPUB

Abstract

The global spread of English has led to its status as a lingua franca, facilitating communication across diverse linguistic and cultural boundaries. With the enhancement of English as a medium of instruction (EMI) in higher education, English proficiency is a requirement for students aspiring to study abroad. This paper examines test takers’ perceptions of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) from a Global Englishes (GE) perspective with a focus on Chinese and Thai students. Through a questionnaire and interviews, the findings revealed that while test takers value the IELTS for its global recognition and role in facilitating international education, they also raised concerns about its alignment with the diverse linguistic realities they encounter in EMI environments. Participants highlighted the need for more inclusive assessment practices that recognize the plurality of English. These insights suggest that incorporating GE elements into the IELTS could enhance its relevance and fairness in order to prepare students for real-world communication challenges; however, such incorporation requires better understanding of the future needs of language assessment. The findings offer practical implications for the development of more inclusive, GE-informed language assessments that align more closely with the communicative demands of EMI environments and better support students’ academic and social integration during study abroad.

© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1075/itl.25003.boo
2026-05-05
2026-05-11

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1075/itl.25003.boo
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/10.1075/itl.25003.boo/itl.25003.boo.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.1075/itl.25003.boo&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Baker, W.
    (2022) From intercultural to transcultural communication. Language and Intercultural Communication, (), –. 10.1080/14708477.2021.2001477
     https://doi.org/10.1080/14708477.2021.2001477 [Google Scholar]
  2. Baker, W., Boonsuk, Y., Ra, J. J., Sangiamchit, C., & Snodin, N.
    (2025) Thai study abroad students as intercultural citizens: Developing intercultural citizenship through English medium education and ELT. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, (), –. 10.1080/02188791.2022.2096569
     https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2022.2096569 [Google Scholar]
  3. Baker, W., & Fang, F.
    (2022) Intercultural citizenship and the internationalisation of higher education: the role of English language teaching. Journal of English as a Lingua Franca, (), –. 10.1515/jelf‑2022‑2067
     https://doi.org/10.1515/jelf-2022-2067 [Google Scholar]
  4. Boonsuk, Y., & Fang, F.
    (2023) Re-envisaging English medium instruction, intercultural citizenship development, and higher education in the context of studying abroad. Language and Education, (), –. 10.1080/09500782.2021.1996595
     https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2021.1996595 [Google Scholar]
  5. Boonsuk, Y., & Karakaş, A.
    (2020) Investigating the policy-reality (mis)match in IELTS and TOEFL from the perspectives of Global Englishes. Acta Educationis Generalis, (), –. 10.2478/atd‑2020‑0003
     https://doi.org/10.2478/atd-2020-0003 [Google Scholar]
  6. Boonsuk, Y., Wasoh, F. E., & Ambele, E. A.
    (2026) Repositioning English and teaching practices in global Englishes: A critical perspective from Thai higher education. Language Teaching Research, (), pp.–. 10.1177/13621688231178364
     https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688231178364 [Google Scholar]
  7. Brown, J. D.
    (2019) Global Englishes and the international standardized English language proficiency tests. InF. Fang & H. P. Widodo (Eds.), Critical perspectives on global Englishes in Asia (pp.–). Multilingual Matters. 10.2307/jj.22730606.9
     https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.22730606.9 [Google Scholar]
  8. Canagarajah, S.
    (2013) Translingual practice: Global Englishes and cosmopolitan relations. Routledge. 10.4324/9780203120293
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203120293 [Google Scholar]
  9. Coleman, D., Starfield, S., & Hagan, A.
    (2003) The attitudes of IELTS stakeholders: Student and staff perceptions of IELTS in Australian, UK and Chinese tertiary institutions. British Council.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Davies, A., Hamp-Lyons, L., & Kemp, C.
    (2003) Whose norms? International proficiency tests in English. World Englishes, (), –. 10.1111/j.1467‑971X.2003.00324.x
     https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-971X.2003.00324.x [Google Scholar]
  11. Dearden, J.
    (2014) English as a medium of instruction — A growing global phenomenon. British Council.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Dörnyei, Z.
    (2007) Research methods in applied linguistics. Oxford University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Dörnyei, Z., & Taguchi, T.
    (2009) Questionnaires in second language research: Construction, administration, and processing. Routledge. 10.4324/9780203864739
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203864739 [Google Scholar]
  14. Elder, C., & Harding, L.
    (2008) Language testing and English as an international language: Constraints and contributions. Australian Review of Applied Linguistics, (), –. 10.2104/aral0834
     https://doi.org/10.2104/aral0834 [Google Scholar]
  15. Estaji, M., & Banitalebi, Z.
    (2022) A study of test-taking strategies of Iranian IELTS repeaters: Any change in the strategy use?International Journal of Testing, (), –. 10.1080/15305058.2023.2195662
     https://doi.org/10.1080/15305058.2023.2195662 [Google Scholar]
  16. Fang, F., & Baker, W.
    (2018) ‘A more inclusive mind towards the world’: English language teaching and study abroad in China from Intercultural citizenship and English as a lingua franca perspectives. Language Teaching Research, (), –. 10.1177/1362168817718574
     https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168817718574 [Google Scholar]
  17. Fang, F., & Ren, W.
    (2018) Developing students’ awareness of Global Englishes. ELT Journal, (), –. 10.1093/elt/ccy012
     https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccy012 [Google Scholar]
  18. Fang, F., Soleimanzadeh, S., Zhang, W., & Elahi Shirvan, M.
    (2023) Chinese students’ multilingual identity constructions after studying abroad: A multi-theoretical perspective. System, , . 10.1016/j.system.2023.103053
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2023.103053 [Google Scholar]
  19. Fang, F., & Widodo, H. P.
    (2019) Critical perspectives on Global Englishes in Asia: Language policy, curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. Multilingual Matters.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Fang, F., & Xu, Y.
    (2022) Commonalities and conflation of Global Englishes and translanguaging for equitable English language education. TESL-EJ, (), –. 10.55593/ej.26103a9
     https://doi.org/10.55593/ej.26103a9 [Google Scholar]
  21. Galloway, N.
    (2017) Global Englishes and change in English language teaching: Attitudes and impact. Routledge. 10.4324/9781315158983
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315158983 [Google Scholar]
  22. Galloway, N., & Ruegg, R.
    (2022) English Medium Instruction (EMI) lecturer support needs in Japan and China. System, , . 10.1016/j.system.2022.102728
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2022.102728 [Google Scholar]
  23. García, O., & Li Wei
    (2014) Translanguaging: Language, bilingualism and education. Palgrave MacMillan. 10.1057/9781137385765
     https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137385765 [Google Scholar]
  24. Gorter, D., & Cenoz, J.
    (2017) Language education policy and multilingual assessment. Language and Education, (), –. 10.1080/09500782.2016.1261892
     https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2016.1261892 [Google Scholar]
  25. Green, A.
    (2021) Exploring language testing and assessment (2nd edition). Routledge.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Halpern, C., Halpern, B., & Aydin, H.
    (2022) International students’ lived experiences with intercultural competence in a Southwest Florida university. International Journal of Multicultural Education, (), –. 10.18251/ijme.v24i1.3013
     https://doi.org/10.18251/ijme.v24i1.3013 [Google Scholar]
  27. Hamid, M. O.
    (2016) Policies of global English tests: Test takers’ perspectives on the IELTS retake policy. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, (), –. 10.1080/01596306.2015.1061978
     https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2015.1061978 [Google Scholar]
  28. Hamid, M. O., Hardy, I., & Reyes, V.
    (2019) Test takers’ perspectives on a global test of English: Questions of fairness, justice and validity. Language Testing in Asia, , . 10.1186/s40468‑019‑0092‑9
     https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-019-0092-9 [Google Scholar]
  29. Hawkey, R.
    (2006) Impact theory and practice. Cambridge University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Helms, J. E., Henze, K. T., Sass, T. L., & Mifsud, V. A.
    (2006) Treating Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients as data in counseling research. The Counseling Psychologist, (), –. 10.1177/0011000006288308
     https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000006288308 [Google Scholar]
  31. Holliday, A.
    (2005) The struggle to teach English as an international language. Oxford University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Hu, G.
    (2009) The craze for English-medium education in China: Driving forces and looming consequences. English Today, , –. 10.1017/S0266078409990472
     https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266078409990472 [Google Scholar]
  33. (2012) Assessing English as an international language. InL. Alsagoff, S. L. McKay, G. Hu, & W. A. Renandya (Eds.), Principles and practices for teaching English as an international language (pp.–). Routledge.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Jenkins, J.
    (2014) English as a lingua franca in the international university: The politics of academic English language policy. Routledge.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. (2015) Repositioning English and multilingualism in English as a lingua franca. Englishes in Practice, (), –. 10.1515/eip‑2015‑0003
     https://doi.org/10.1515/eip-2015-0003 [Google Scholar]
  36. Jenkins, J., & Leung, C.
    (2019) From mythical ‘standard’ to standard reality: The need for alternatives to standardized English language tests. Language Teaching, (), –. 10.1017/S0261444818000307
     https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444818000307 [Google Scholar]
  37. Johnson, R. C., & Tweedie, M. G.
    (2021) “IELTS-out/TOEFL-out”: Is the end of general English for academic purposes near? Tertiary student achievement across standardized tests and general EAP. Interchange, , –. 10.1007/s10780‑021‑09416‑6
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s10780-021-09416-6 [Google Scholar]
  38. Kachru, B. B.
    (1992) The other tongue: English across cultures (2nd ed.). University of Illinois Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Kang, O., Miao, Y., & Hirschi, K.
    (2025) Test takers’ perceptions of the inclusion of different English accent varieties in the IELTS listening tests. RELC Journal, (), –. 10.1177/00336882241231310
     https://doi.org/10.1177/00336882241231310 [Google Scholar]
  40. Kim, K. H., & Zabelina, D.
    (2015) Cultural bias in assessment: Can creativity assessment help?The International Journal of Critical Pedagogy, (), –.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Kirkpatrick, A.
    (2014) English in Southeast Asia: Pedagogical and policy implications. World Englishes, (), –. 10.1111/weng.12105
     https://doi.org/10.1111/weng.12105 [Google Scholar]
  42. Kumaravadivelu, B.
    (2006) Understanding language teaching: From method to postmethod. Lawrence Erlbaum. 10.4324/9781410615725
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410615725 [Google Scholar]
  43. Lavankura, P.
    (2013) Internationalizing higher education in Thailand: Government and university responses. Journal of Studies in International Education, (), –. 10.1177/1028315313478193
     https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315313478193 [Google Scholar]
  44. Li, W.
    (2018) Translanguaging as a practical theory of language. Applied Linguistics, (), –. 10.1093/applin/amx039
     https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amx039 [Google Scholar]
  45. Liu, X., & Hamid, M. O.
    (2025) “English is important, but perfect English is not”: The disjuncture between the IELTS and language experiences from the perspectives of international students in Australia. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, (), –. 10.1111/ijal.12633
     https://doi.org/10.1111/ijal.12633 [Google Scholar]
  46. Llanes, À.
    (2025) Additional languages learning and use in a multilingual study abroad context. System, , . 10.1016/j.system.2025.103819
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2025.103819 [Google Scholar]
  47. Lu, H., & Buripakdi, A.
    (2024) Global Englishes as a complement to traditional instruction: Students’ conceptualizations and pedagogical strategies. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, (), –. 10.1080/02188791.2022.2068136
     https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2022.2068136 [Google Scholar]
  48. Lu, H., & Fang, F.
    (2025) Revisiting Chinese English learners’ perceptions of English as a global language: A qualitative case study. Porta Linguarum, (), –. 10.30827/portalin.vi43.28778
     https://doi.org/10.30827/portalin.vi43.28778 [Google Scholar]
  49. Mann, S.
    (2011) A critical review of qualitative interviews in applied linguistics. Applied Linguistics, (), –. 10.1093/applin/amq043
     https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amq043 [Google Scholar]
  50. Matsuda, A.
    (2012) Principles and practices of teaching English as an international language. Multilingual Matters. 10.21832/9781847697042
     https://doi.org/10.21832/9781847697042 [Google Scholar]
  51. McNamara, T., & Roever, C.
    (2006) Language testing: The social dimension. Wiley Blackwell.
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Miao, L. & Huang, H.
    (2024) China still leading source of foreign students. RetrievedOctober 25, 2024fromhttps://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202403/16/WS65f4e78ba31082fc043bcf71.html
  53. Ministry of Education, The People’s Republic of China
    Ministry of Education, The People’s Republic of China (2020) Overview of educational achievements in China in 2019. RetrievedOctober 25, 2024fromen.moe.gov.cn/documents/reports/202102/t20210209_513095.html
  54. Paltridge, B., & Phakiti, A.
    (Eds.) (2015) Research methods in Applied Linguistics: A practical resource. Bloomsbury.
     [Google Scholar]
  55. Pearson, W. S.
    (2019) Critical perspectives on the IELTS test. ELT Journal, (), –. 10.1093/elt/ccz006
     https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccz006 [Google Scholar]
  56. (2021) The predictive validity of the Academic IELTS test: A methodological synthesis. ITL — International Journal of Applied Linguistics, (), –. 10.1075/itl.19021.pea
     https://doi.org/10.1075/itl.19021.pea [Google Scholar]
  57. Phatiki, A., & Leung, C.
    (2025) Assessment for language teaching. Cambridge University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  58. Phillipson, R.
    (1992) Linguistic imperialism. Oxford University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  59. Rose, H., & Galloway, N.
    (2019) Global Englishes for language teaching. Cambridge University Press. 10.1017/9781316678343
     https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316678343 [Google Scholar]
  60. Rose, H., McKinley, J., Xu, X., & Zhou, S.
    (2020) Investigating policy and implementation in higher education institutions in China. British Council.
     [Google Scholar]
  61. Rose, H., McKinley, J., & Galloway, N.
    (2021) Global Englishes and language teaching: A review of pedagogical research. Language Teaching, (), –. 10.1017/S0261444820000518
     https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444820000518 [Google Scholar]
  62. Ruegg, R., Hoang, H., & Petersen, N.
    (2024) The influence of English language proficiency test scores on the academic success of ESL undergraduate students. Educational Research and Evaluation, (), –. 10.1080/13803611.2024.2314533
     https://doi.org/10.1080/13803611.2024.2314533 [Google Scholar]
  63. Sahan, K., Galloway, N., & McKinley, J.
    (2025) ‘English-only’ English medium instruction: Mixed views in Thai and Vietnamese higher education. Language Teaching Research, (), –. 10.1177/13621688211072632
     https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688211072632 [Google Scholar]
  64. Sahan, K., Mikolajewska, A., Rose, H., Macaro, E., Searle, M., Aizawa, I., Zhou, S., & Veitch, A.
    (2021) Global mapping of English as a medium of instruction in higher education: 2020 and beyond. British Council.
     [Google Scholar]
  65. Schoepp, K.
    (2018) Predictive validity of the IELTS in an English as a medium of instruction environment. Higher Education Quarterly, (), –. 10.1111/hequ.12163
     https://doi.org/10.1111/hequ.12163 [Google Scholar]
  66. Schreier, M.
    (2012) Qualitative content analysis in practice. Sage. 10.4135/9781529682571
     https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529682571 [Google Scholar]
  67. Schutt, R. K.
    (2014) Investigating the social world: The process and practice of research (8th edn.). Sage.
     [Google Scholar]
  68. Seidlhofer, B.
    (2011) Understanding English as a lingua franca. Oxford University Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  69. Shin, S., Lee, S., & Lidster, R.
    (2021) Examining the effects of different English speech varieties on an L2 academic listening comprehension test at the item level. Language Testing, (), –. 10.1177/0265532220985432
     https://doi.org/10.1177/0265532220985432 [Google Scholar]
  70. Shohamy, E.
    (2013) The power of tests: A critical perspective on the uses of language tests. Routledge.
     [Google Scholar]
  71. The Pattaya News
    The Pattaya News (2021) Press Release: The UK remains the most popular higher education destination for Thai students. RetrievedAugust 8, 2024fromhttps://thepattayanews.com/2021/02/18/press-release-the-uk-remains-the-most-popular-higher-education-destination-for-thai-students/
  72. Tomlinson, B.
    (2020) Which test of which English and why?. InA. Kirkpatrick (Ed.), The Routledge handbook of world Englishes (pp.–). Routledge. 10.4324/9781003128755‑44
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003128755-44 [Google Scholar]
  73. Tupas, R.
    (Ed.) (2024) Investigating unequal Englishes: Understanding, researching and analysing inequalities of the Englishes of the world. Routledge. 10.4324/9781003355885
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003355885 [Google Scholar]
  74. Turner, R. C., & Carlson, L.
    (2003) Indexes of item-objective congruence for multidimensional items. International Journal of Testing, (), –. 10.1207/S15327574IJT0302_5
     https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327574IJT0302_5 [Google Scholar]
  75. Wei, R., & Su, J.
    (2012) The statistics of English in China. English Today, (), –. 10.1017/S0266078412000235
     https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266078412000235 [Google Scholar]
  76. Weir, C. J.
    (2005) Language testing and validation: An evidence-based approach. Palgrave MacMillan. 10.1057/9780230514577
     https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230514577 [Google Scholar]
  77. Xie, X., & Fang, F.
    (2025) ‘Walking out from the flat’: Pre-service English language teachers’ experiences of and needs for English as a lingua franca during study-abroad. Language and Education, (), –. 10.1080/09500782.2024.2378110
     https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2024.2378110 [Google Scholar]
  78. Xu, Z.
    (2019) Practices of teaching Englishes: Pedagogical reflections and implications. InF. Fang & H. P. Widodo (Eds.), Critical perspectives on global Englishes in Asia (pp.–). Multilingual Matters. 10.2307/jj.22730606.14
     https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.22730606.14 [Google Scholar]
  79. Yang, Y., & Badger, R.
    (2015) How IELTS preparation courses support students: IELTS and academic socialization. Journal of Further and Higher Education, (), –. 10.1080/0309877X.2014.953463
     https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2014.953463 [Google Scholar]
  80. Yuan, L., Fang, F., & Hu, G.
    (2024) Are students prepared and supported for English medium instruction in Chinese higher education to promote educational equality?System, , . 10.1016/j.system.2024.103423
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2024.103423 [Google Scholar]
  81. Zhou, S., McKinley, J., Rose, H., & Xu, X.
    (2022) English medium higher education in China: challenges and ELT support. ELT Journal, (), –. 10.1093/elt/ccab082
     https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccab082 [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1075/itl.25003.boo
Loading
IELTS through test takers’ eyes
John Benjamins ; https://doi.org/10.1075/itl.25003.boo
/content/journals/10.1075/itl.25003.boo
/content/journals/10.1075/itl.25003.boo
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keywords: IELTS ; Global Englishes ; study abroad ; international standardized tests ; language assessment ; English as a medium of instruction

Most Cited

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was successful
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error