Baku State University (BSU), through its Centre for the Organisation of Scientific Activities and Innovation, in collaboration with the You Will Speak Language Centre, held a seminar for students titled “IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo: Which Exam Should You Choose?”

Farid Naghiyev, Director of BSU’s Centre for the Organisation of Scientific Activities and Innovation, spoke about the importance of foreign language proficiency in scientific research and international academic cooperation. He highlighted the role of language skills in student exchange programmes, dual-degree programmes, study-abroad opportunities and access to international academic resources.

Nijat Rzayev, a foreign language specialist and instructor, provided an overview of the formats, task types, assessment criteria and scoring systems of the IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo English Test. He explained the key differences between the examinations, the language proficiency requirements of various universities and the importance of test results when pursuing international education opportunities.

Alongside the theoretical overview, Rzayev shared practical examples and offered recommendations to help students choose the examination best suited to their academic goals and current language proficiency.

The seminar also highlighted the importance of foreign language skills in research. Participants discussed how language proficiency enables students to access international academic sources, keep abreast of the latest research, participate in international projects and present their findings to international audiences.

The session emphasised that familiarity with internationally recognised language examinations helps students plan their future academic and research pathways and make informed decisions about international education opportunities.