Human Interactions Still Matter, British Council IELTS on the Rise of AI in English Assessments

Author: British Council | Source: Mindanao Examiner Newspaper | Read the full article

In today's world, many Filipino students and professionals looking to study or work abroad need to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to prove their English skills. However, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in language testing, there are concerns about whether these systems can truly measure a person's ability to communicate effectively. The British Council, which helps run the IELTS, is exploring how AI can support human examiners without replacing them, emphasizing the importance of real human interaction in communication.

Recent research by the British Council shows that while AI can assess basic language skills like grammar and vocabulary, it struggles with more complex tasks, such as understanding cultural context and engaging in meaningful conversations. This is especially important in the speaking part of the IELTS, where the ability to connect with others and express nuanced ideas is crucial. The British Council believes that human examiners are essential for capturing these subtleties in communication.

The IELTS speaking test is designed to evaluate how well candidates can communicate in different situations. Examiners look at various factors, including fluency and pronunciation, but they also pay attention to how well a candidate adapts their communication style to different contexts. Zoe Zhang, a director at the British Council, highlights that this human-led approach provides deeper insights into a candidate's communication skills, which AI tools still find challenging to assess.

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