What minimum level of English do you think a skilled migrant should have?
As of November 30, The New Entrepreneur Plus Category for immigration requires a minimum English language ability of IELTS 4.
For skilled migrants, the current requirement for principal applicants is a score of 6.5 or better.*
If you were in charge of immigration, which band would you set as a minimum for skilled migrants?
IELTS bands:
IELTS 9 - Expert User
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
IELTS 8 - Very Good User
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
IELTS 7 - Good User
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
IELTS 6 - Competent User
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
IELTS 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.
IELTS 4 - Limited User
Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
IELTS 3 - Extremely Limited User
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
IELTS 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.
IELTS 1 - Non User
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
IELTS 0 - Did not attempt the IELTS test
No assessable information provided.
* From the NZIS site:
The principal applicant is the person making the application. If you are the principal applicant, you must meet our standards of English. The minimum standard of English is an International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) certificate, with a band score of 6.5 or better in the General or Academic modules. This certificate must be less than two years old.
However, we may consider one of the following as evidence if you can show us that you:
- have a recognised qualification from a course taught entirely in English,
- have ongoing skilled employment in New Zealand, and have been in the job for at least the last 12 months, or
- have other evidence proof of competency in English. We will consider a number of factors.
. But then again he had to do the academic test as well and scored '7'..., and the difference between the two test is "just" the written part.
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