What is iDeaL?

iDeaL is a web-based tool to help you develop your language skills in academic and professional contexts. Some of the best things about iDeaL are:

• it is free
• you can use it anywhere (internet access needed)
• it contains academic and professional versions, focusing on language skills for university and workplace success
• you can choose which skill areas you want to work on — reading, writing or listening
• you can take iDeaL as many times as you like during your study at Deakin.

iDeaL is designed to help you to identify gaps and improve skills — it does not measure language proficiency and it is not a validated test.

Who is iDeaL for?

All commencing Deakin students, including students entering at postgraduate level, must complete iDeaL as part of the enrolment process.

If you are a current Deakin student or staff member, you can access iDeaL using your Deakin username and password. You may access and use iDeaL at any time during your study (or employment) at Deakin.

How does iDeaL work?

The first time you take iDeaL, you do a timed vocabulary and reading section, followed by academic reading, writing and listening sections. Once you have completed all these sections, you will have access to your own password-protected home page.

On your home page you will see your results from the academic reading, writing and listening sections and find out what you can do to develop your skills. You will not see results from the timed vocabulary and reading sections as their purpose is only to identify those who are unlikely to benefit from iDeaL. You will be told if this applies to you.

After you complete your first attempt at the academic version, whenever you visit iDeaL you will be able to choose the version (academic or professional) and skill areas (reading, writing, listening) that you want to focus on. You can access your results from previous attempts and see how you performed in any of the skill areas. While there are no time limits, the time you spend on each section is recorded alongside your score so you can compare across attempts.

What happens to my iDeaL results?

Your results are confidential. They are not related to your units or course of study and will not appear on your student record. Language and Learning Advisers in the Division of Student Life at the University may access your results, but only to contact you to offer direct support if deemed appropriate - your results remain confidential at all times and in all cases. Any reports from iDeaL for statistical or other purposes will contain only de-identified data so that results cannot be associated with individual students.

Your first attempt at iDeaL

When you are ready, you can enter iDeaL. You will be given instructions and examples each step along the way. You will be required to do the timed vocabulary and reading first. You may exit after you do this or you can continue on to the reading, writing and listening sections.

You may complete all the reading, writing and listening sections in one sitting (it should take about one hour for all). Alternatively, you can exit at specific points and return to complete iDeaL later. You may exit whenever you see the "save and exit" button. If you do this, you will be returned to where you left off next time you log in.

Finally, please ensure that you have a good pair of headphones (or speakers, if appropriate) connected and working before you get to the listening section (it is last).

Good luck and have fun with iDeaL.

You can enter iDeaL by clicking the button below.