IELTS English testing

We all know that the IELTS is not the easiest English test out there. It is used by governments and academic institutions to prove your English proficiency so you can be sure that the standards are high. Many people repeatedly fail at IELTS exams because they usually underestimate the test and many times overestimate their knowledge.

Use the following five signs for yourself to know if there is a need to take a preparation course before taking the IELTS test.

Sign # 1

Context: During the listening module, you’ll have to provide answers to 40 questions throughout four recordings. The recordings will be played only once, and you’ll be required to answer those questions on-the-fly. Typical questions include sentence completion, summary completion, form completion and multiple choice.

Sign: If you feel that you lack the necessary speed, accuracy and focus when multitasking in English, you need an IELTS preparation course.

It is not surprising to get lost during a conversation, but you need to recover fast or you will miss all the questions of that task afterwards. This would be a disaster.

In the course, you will be taught how to follow a conversation even if you miss something and how you can recover to continue answering the next questions.

Sign # 2

Context: The reading module consists of 40 questions (both academic and general training) spread across three sections. The purpose of this module is to test a wide range of reading skills such as reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument, and recognising writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.

Test takers have to provide short answers, match information, complete sentences, match headings or complete diagram labels.

Sign: If you are not familiar with these types of questions, or if you are trying to read these texts as you normally read a book, an IELTS course will definitely help you get a higher score in this band.

Additionally, in the course you will practice a lot the different types of questions and you will get used to them. This will save you a lot of time.

Sign # 3

Context: The writing module is perhaps the one that most people struggle with.

It has two tasks: in the first (academic training), you will be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process and how something works or describe an object or event. You need to do this in 150 words.

In the second task, you will be asked to write an essay (250 words) in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Both tasks in the academic training must be written in a formal style.

Sign: If you don’t know what a formal style is like, or if you feel like you know the answer but struggle to find appropriate and assertive English terms, you will benefit from taking an IELTS preparation course.

Truth must be told. Writing Task 2 is not easy at all. First, because the topic given can be hard to develop if you are not familiar with it. You might have an idea but remember, you need to develop it in 250 words and you only have 40 minutes. Second, because the essay must have a proper structure, you cannot write everything that comes to mind.

In an IELTS course, you will learn and practice the different types of essays that commonly come up on IELTS: Agree or Disagree, Discuss two Opposing Opinions, Advantages and Disadvantages, Problems and Solutions, Causes and Solutions, Causes and Effects.

Sign # 4

Context: The fourth and final module is there to assess your speaking skills. This test is less than 15 minutes long and is split into three parts. The first five minutes are reserved for introduction and general topics between the test taker and the examiner. The second part assesses the test taker’s ability to speak about a random topic given on a task card. The last part merely adds complexity to the second. At this stage, the examiner will also pay attention to pronunciation, lexical resource and fluency.

Sign: If you lack fluency or coherence in direct communication, you need some practice. This module is all about repetition. Repetition, repetition, repetition!

How the course can help: In an IELTS course, your pronunciation will be improved with assistance.

You will practice under the exam conditions and will get used to the pressure you will have during the test. You will learn how to write down the notes that will help you to talk for two minutes during the second part of the test.

You will practice answering questions when you don’t really know the answer. Remember that your knowledge is not assessed but your English language proficiency.

Sign # 5

Context:  The IELTS test has a time limit and you will only have the time given for each module. After that time, you need to leave your pencil on the table and you will not be able to continue. The IELTS examiners will proceed to collect the sheets before giving out the ones for the next module.

Sign: If you cannot finish each module due to the time limitation, or if you cannot concentrate accordingly due to the timing pressure, you need an IELTS course.

How courses can help: In an IELTS course, you will learn how to approach each section of the test to avoid problems with the time limit. If you are having problems with it, perhaps you are spending too much time in the reading section that can be reduced considerable by employing certain strategies. Perhaps, you are spending too much time thinking about what to write in task 2; but if you spend some time planning, you can reduce it.

Your IELTS teacher will help you identify all these problems and teach you how to overcome them.

Most common mistakes on IELTS exams include:

● Answering in more words than instructed
● Writing shorter essays than required
● Writing longer essays to score higher
● Spelling
● Not studying the questions
● Leaving blanks
● Overuse of transitions

If you struggle to refrain from these mistakes, you definitely need an expert by your side.

Technically, you can’t fail at IELTS because the results are reported on a 9-band scale (1 being the lowest, 9 being the highest).

However, this is not entirely true because you did fail, for example, if the University you wish to attend requires an IELTS band 7 and you scored 6.5.

For further information on IELTS Training courses go to: http://keystonevisa.com.au/english-test/

Working while studying in Australia If you are an international student working in Australia, it is important you know your rights, entitlements and protections in the workplace. Did you know: it is illegal for an employer to treat you any differently to other workers based on your gender, religion, culture or nationality? you may be entitled to higher pay for working at night, on the weekend or during a public holiday? your employer cannot dismiss you if you are away from work temporarily due to illness? The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a free service to all people working in Australia. They have a range of information available on their website to help you understand your rights at work. The Skilled Occupation List The SOL is a really useful tool for giving people who want to migrate to Australia a clear idea of just what skills are in short supply here over the next three to five years. You can check if your skills are needed in Australia by referring to the current list on the department’s website. What is the SOL and what does it do? The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is a list of skilled occupations that deliver high value skills needed by the Australian economy. The SOL only applies to independent, that is non-employer sponsored or State/Territory government nominated skilled migration. It aims to meet medium- to long-term skills needs of high value occupations, rather than immediate short term shortages. This means your occupation must be on the SOL if you are applying for: • points based skilled migration independently (not nominated by a State or Territory government); • Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate visa in the graduate work stream); or • family sponsored stream of the Subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa. Are there options available if my Nominated Occupation isn’t on the SOL? If you don’t have an occupation on the SOL, you may be eligible for State and Territory nomination or employer sponsorship. Employers, as well as States and Territory governments, have access to a wider range of occupations on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL). We’ll have a look at the CSOL in our future blogs.

International Students need to be aware of their rights. Check if your skills are needed in Australia

Streamlined Australian Student Visa Processing

Australia has streamlined its visa processing framework and as a result an outcome of this has been that a large number of student visas have been cancelled due to “non-genuine: applications and non compliance with visa conditions prescribed.  The Australian reported recently almost 11,000 student visas have been cancelled in the last financial year. This activity by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection was due to an excess of “non-genuine” international students -- primarily from China, South Korea, India, Vietnam, and Thailand -- who had gained access to Australian universities through illegal means.  “A key reason for ditching the current streamlined visa procedures is that too many low-quality education providers have been gaming the system, and this has meant students have been attracted to enrolling in such providers as an easy visa pathway to Australia.” - Phil Honeywood, Australia’s Chief Executive of the International Education Association of Australia Counterfeit test results to fraudulent enrollments has led to manipulation of the system which has lead the Immigration Department to take corrective action. Why? To maintain the Australias reputation and quality higher educational offerings. “The quality of the educational services that Australia offers to the rest of the world is an asset that we should protect and enhance.” - Australian Education Minister Christopher Pine. This is not targeting International Students, even though the cancellation rate is up 30 percent from previous years. It serves as a demonstration of the country’s commitment to closing the door on poor quality providers and applicants who are not bone fide in their applications. So what will the streamline approach bring with it? A new student visa framework, less taxed by non-genuine students, and simpler to navigate for genuine students allowing a more targeted approach to immigration integrity, and create a level playing field for all education providers.

Students can work for up to 40 hours per fortnight (condition 8105) when school is in session. No work limits apply during recognized periods of vacation offered by your education provider. Study and enjoy Australia at the same time but you must continue to satisfy the requirements for grant of your student visa (condition 8516)