I think IELTS does offer the speaking test as a separate test from the other three components. I think that's helpful, and it's often done in a private one-on-one situation, which is great for the test taker, particularly if the person is struggling a little, because the examiner can help to make them feel comfortable and draw out a better response from them.
I think the other components of the test often depend on the way the test has been constructed. Each part of the IELTS test is...we're only looking at that part, even though when you're doing a speaking test you're also listening. For example, we're only assessing the speaking in that component.
We've certainly thought about being able to do that. Of course, it would require the government to recognize that type of thing. We'd be happy to put that on the table.
I think another alternative, particularly when you're looking at people who are coming in perhaps on family visas and in the types of situations where they're not going to be working in a professional environment, then we do also have a level 2 skills test, which would simply be a 20-minute speaking and listening type of test. That is currently used in the U.K., and I think that the governments I talk to around the world are starting to move toward this a little more, as a better option for those who don't require the high-level professional skills.