Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR)
The Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) is an unfunded Federal interagency organization
established for the coordination and sharing of information about language-related activities at the Federal level. It serves as the premier way for departments and agencies of the Federal government to keep abreast of the progress and implementation of techniques and technology for language learning, language use, language testing and other language related activities.
ILR Language Skill-Level Descriptions are descriptions of different levels of proficiency for four different language “skills”—Speaking, Reading, Listening and Writing. The scale used to describe each skill has six Base Levels, ranging from 0 “No functional proficiency” to 5 “Functionally equivalent to a highly educated native speaker/reader/etc.” These guidelines are accepted by all agencies of the federal government. They are used as a primary reference in the different government tests of language ability. Level 2 is defined as “Limited Working Proficiency.” Many USG agencies require a minimum of Level 3, “General Professional Proficiency.
The ILR Skill Level Descriptions and the ILR Scale are used to develop and score U.S. Government (USG) tests of language skills. USG language tests are used for USG employees only and are not available to private individuals, commercial services, or other non-government organizations. Applicants to USG positions may be tested if they are sponsored by a governmental agency.
The ILR as an entity does not develop or administer language tests itself. Many government agencies refer to the ILR Language Skill-Level Descriptions in scoring language proficiency tests and assigning scores, but each test is different in some important respects. In fact, a test administered by one government agency may not necessarily be used for seeking employment in another government agency. In general, all government tests are administered only at the request of federal government agencies, and they are not available to private citizens.
Here at AlBaher Arabic abroad institute in Jordan, we offer our services in terms of Arabic language courses to prepare our students for the (ILR) exam and help them get the highest skills to pass this exam successfully.