University of Sydney: Human Trafficking Criminal wwww.ielts.agency 56
Prior to March 2017, I had not published any criticism about IELTS in response to this research
project. I have discussed stakeholders’ experiences predominantly via email and face-to-face
meetings. When evaluating the evidence obtained from these sources, I have offered much
higher weight to those persons who have responded using an institutional email and/or have
identified themselves in person. All university research academics from linguistics and education
disciplines have identified themselves (in confidence) and have offered a constructively critical
account of their experiences in their capacities as IELTS examiners, instructors and researchers.
Public testimonies
Based on my online sampling research, I conservatively estimate that the number of public
testimonies, that identify the speaker/writer and are critical of IELTS number in the tens of
thousands. The overwhelming bulk of these testimonies are attributable to stakeholders who
have a close association with the IELTS exam. These parties include:
Migration agents;
Former IELTS examiners;
Consumer affairs advocates;
Professional IELTS instructors;
Current (in training/preparing) and former IELTS test-takers;
Academics who specialize in pedagogical and linguistics research.