English language tests for foreign teachers looking to work in New Zealand schools may be removed amid claims they are too difficult. (file photo)

English language tests for foreign teachers get a fail grade after claims they compound NZ's teacher shortage.

The test, which costs $385, takes about three hours. Questions range from writing instructions for a housesitter, to recalling train departure times, or writing a 250-word essay on whether material possessions have become more important than "old fashioned values such as honour, kindness and trust".

A review of language requirements for foreign teachers is now underway*. It coincides with proposals to loosen immigration requirements to bring hundreds of primary, secondary and pre-school teachers into New Zealand next year.

Some in the sector say the changes are necessary to plug a chronic teacher shortage, while others cautioned that all teachers need to be able to read and write English well – whether they were trained here or abroad.

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"There have been conversations in the sector around a number of people thinking that, as it stood, it was a really difficult assessment," New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) president Lynda Stuart said.

"We need to ensure that these people we have in our classrooms are actually fluent in English and also have a clear understanding around the cultural nature of our country."

BRITISH COUNCIL An IELTS practice reading test question.

At present, overseas teachers from non-English speaking countries need to score a level 7 in all sections of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to gain certification from the Teaching Council and work as a qualified teacher. Prospective teachers can get a waiver if they can prove all their education was in English.

The council was now reviewing its language requirements to make them "more tailored to the teaching environment and to all cultures", a spokeswoman said.

"We have paid attention to recent comments from the public and media about our current requirements, in which some people expressed their views that they find our current policy confusing and the use of language tests can put some individuals at a disadvantage."

FACEBOOK/REINARD URSULA FOURIE Ursula Visagie has to sit the IELTS, despite speaking English as her first language.

People who fail the IELTS test are not given any feedback as to why.

The council is considering whether other language tests will be offered alongside the IELTS, and requiring a test only if "the evidence demonstrates that this is the only and best way to gain the necessary assurances of their proficiency," a statement from deputy chief executive Lesley Hoskin posted on the Teachers Advocacy Group Facebook page said.

HOW HARD IS IT?

Taranaki early childhood teacher Ursula Visagie will resit her IELTS next month.

Although Visagie taught at an English school in South Africa and studied her bachelor's degree in English, she is required to pass the IELTS because her schooling was bilingual – English is one of 11 official languages in South Africa.

BRITISH COUNCIL A practice question for the IELTS listening test. Candidates hear the passage once.

She scored 8.5 on the listening, speaking and reading sections of the test last month, but fell short with a score of 6.5 on the writing section.

"What I really think is that the council should lower the score for writing," Visagie said.

"I feel writing essays is not part of my teaching career in early childhood education, so why should it be compulsory to get a score of 7?"

Under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act, New Zealand's Teaching Council must maintain similar standards to Australia.

BRITISH COUNCIL A question from a practice IELTS writing test.

In Australia, passing the IELTS requires a score of 7.5 on all sections.

'NO CONSPIRACY' TO LOWER STANDARDS

Changes to the language policy are expected to take effect early next year.

Early Childhood Council chief executive Peter Reynolds has pushed for more urgent action.

The test was especially unfair on teachers entering Pasifika immersion preschools, he said.

SCREENSHOT/BRITISH COUNCIL A question from the IELTS Writing practice test.

"You get [people] who go through student teacher training and then they're confronted with the IELTS system when Samoan is their native language."

Asked what system he would prefer, Reynolds said he was open to negotiating that with the Teaching Council but "flexibility" was important.

"It's not a black-and-white picture, especially when there is a shortage."

Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) president Jack Boyle said there was "no hidden conspiracy around lowering the bar" to enter the profession.

"With any sort of testing it's about how it's applied. Making sure people are efficient communicators and are able to read and write at an appropriate level, that's the real issue."

Dr Sarah Alexander, the chief executive of early childhood organisation ChildForum, said the Teaching Council was best placed to review the criteria.

While she did not believe the teacher shortage in early childhood was as critical as the Early Childhood Council claimed, Alexander still questioned the IELTS' fairness.

"If a non-New Zealander has studied at high school in New Zealand and completed NCEA in English, do they need to pass the test?"

* An earlier version of this story said the English language tests are likely to be canned. This is not correct.

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