- AI-powered tools are being touted for their efficiency and perceived objectivity in evaluating English language tests, but reports acknowledge their limitations in assessing higher-order cognitive skills that are vital in IELTS speaking tests.
- As AI continues to evolve, the British Council endorses a human-centric approach to ensure accurate and comprehensive evaluations of IELTS Speaking.
- The 3-part IELTS speaking test connects candidates with human examiners, fostering real-world communication skills that translate to lifelong success on the global stage.
Manila, Philippines – For Filipino students and professionals aspiring to work or study abroad, taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to assess their English proficiency is a crucial first step to fostering genuine connections and achieving global success. However, as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into other English language testing systems, concerns about whether it truly captures a candidate’s communication skills remain. Recognizing both its potential and limitations, the British Council and its IELTS partners are exploring how AI can assist examiners and provide detailed feedback to test takers without replacing human input. As advancements in AI continue, the British Council prefers an authentic and human-centric approach that fosters real world communication skills.
Findings from a recent British Council research report on AI in English Language Teaching indicate that while AI can effectively evaluate basic language skills like lexical choice, grammar, and comprehension, it still requires improvements in accurately assessing more advanced cognitive abilities like producing complex discourse and formulating nuanced, layered arguments. This is particularly evident in IELTS speaking tests, where cultural context, social interaction, and meaningful dialogue are essential.
The British Council, the organization that co-founded and jointly runs the global IELTS English-language standardised test, understands the importance of capturing both technical accuracy and contextual nuances and has long relied on trained human examiners to deliver precise and well-rounded assessments that reflect the complexities of human communication.
The British Council’s Human-Centric Approach
The three-part IELTS speaking test assesses candidates on how well they engage in real-world communications in varying degrees of formality and across various criteria—fluency, coherence, lexical resource, and pronunciation. Their examiners are trained to recognise these nuanced expressions, evaluating content, and accuracy, but also contextual appropriacy and tone —elements that are still challenging for AI tools and software to interpret.
“Our human-led approach ensures that we assess both the content of what’s being said and the way it’s being communicated—skills that are important in interactions,” said Zoe Zhang, Regional Director for Exams at the British Council. “This dynamic exchange allows us to gain deeper insights into a candidate’s ability to respond, adapt, and navigate different contexts.”
Why Humans (and Nuance) Matter
The distinction between a Band 7 and Band 9 speaker lies in the subtleties of spoken communication—the ability to construct layered arguments, navigate complex topics, and engage in dialogue, according to a British Council East Asia Team case study. Such critical distinctions separating a good speaker from an exceptional one is something only human examiners are equipped to interpret, the study further notes.
Since AI models are trained on large pools of data, they may favour certain speech patterns, dialects, or cultural norms, leading to uneven or inaccurate evaluations. These challenges underscore the need to balance AI’s efficiency with human judgment.
“Our goal is to help candidates develop communication skills that will serve them long after the exam,” said Zoe Zhang, Regional Director for Exams at the British Council. “While human-to-human communication has always been regarded as the most reliable method, we understand the growing role of AI in language assessment. We are always looking for opportunities to offer a more thorough evaluation of candidates’ abilities and better prepare them for success in our interconnected world.”
While AI is increasingly being explored in language assessments for cost efficiency and greater standardisation, the British Council believes that accurate results in high-stakes IELTS Speaking tests still require a human element. Not only because machines still struggle to interpret the complexities and nuances of human communication, but they also risk bringing in biases from their data sources and programming.
By prioritizing human expertise, the British Council ensures that test takers from diverse backgrounds receive fair and reliable evaluations—helping them build lasting connections that open doors to both career and study opportunities and a brighter future on the global stage.
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