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Announcing the recognition of IELTS by the UK Border Agency - 27th November 2008

The Home Office has announced the recognition of IELTS for Tier 2 of the points based system (PBS), which comes in to effect on 27th November 2008.
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IELTS gains in popularity among international schools – ECIS conference, Nice. - 19th November 2008

IELTS was a main sponsor at this year’s ECIS (European Council of International Schools) conference in Nice, France from 19th to 23rd November.

The IELTS staff received very positive feedback from international schools that were using the test for their graduating high school students. The wide global recognition of the test for entrance to universities was especially appreciated as the students normally apply to a range of institutions across the world. Schools also very much valued having IELTS sessions conducted on their premises, results delivered as promised in 13 days and the teacher support provided.

The 'IELTS Scores Explained' DVD which provides tools for those wanting to set IELTS entry scores and therefore standardise language levels in the schools was also extremely popular.

Hundreds of participants left their business cards at the stand to enter a lucky prize draw to win an IELTS engraved iPod touch. This was drawn by Heather Kent from the ECIS team on Sunday 23rd at midday. The lucky winner was an extremely pleased Kristen Pelletier, the Head of Learning Support at the International School of Brussels.

IELTS at the forefront of major UK international education conferences; Education UK Partnership and Going Global 3. - 19th November 2008

It’s been an extremely busy period for international education in the UK, with two high profile conferences taking place in London from 2nd – 5th December; Education UK Partnership event and Going Global 3. IELTS was again at the forefront of the activity as a main sponsor at both events.

As IELTS is now taken by over one million candidates each year, and is recognised by more than 6000 institutions worldwide, the IELTS stand proved to be a focal for delegates. Visitors could ask questions receive a demonstration on how the online IELTS verification service works and to collect a free copy of the IELTS scores explained DVD.

The conferences attracted hundreds of senior strategy and policy makers from 60 countries, including a large delegation of Vice Chancellors from China, India and Pakistan. With over 100 speakers, across 20 presentation sessions, nine panel discussions, two world cafe sessions, one open forum and over 40 poster presentations, debates were lively and informative!

Not only that, but delegates visiting the stand also had the chance to enter a prize raffle to win an iPod touch – just in time for Christmas! The draws were made by Arlene Griffith , Director Education UK Partnerships, British Council and Carl Rhymer, Head of IELTS, British Council. The lucky winners were Lynn McQuire of Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland and Steen Weisner of the University of Aarhus in Denmark.

IELTS in Honolulu - 6th December 2008

A new test center offering IELTS – the world’s leading international English language test – has opened in Hawaii.

The centre, which will begin testing on December 6, will increase the opportunities for those studying English for migration or Higher Education purposes.

Located in Honolulu at the Hawaii Pacific University downtown campus, the ELS Language Centre adds to the existing network of test centres in the USA. IELTS is available in 37 locations across the USA with plans to expand the network to 50 centres by the end of 2009.

The ever increasing access to IELTS means that taking the exam has never been easier, with over 2,000 universities, colleges and professional registration organizations in the USA now accepting IELTS scores.

Free Half Day Seminar: 'IELTS for UK Medical Authorities' London - 26th November 2008

IELTS – the International English Language Testing System - is the most popular and widely accepted English language test in the world for higher education and migration. It provides a trusted, secure and accurate test of an individual’s ability to communicate in international English.

On Wednesday 26th November IELTS will be hosting a free half day seminar at the City Inn Westminster Hotel, London, to explain how the IELTS test works and how it can benefit staff working for UK medical authorities who use IELTS to process international registrations and recruit overseas personnel.

Representatives from UK medical authorities are invited to attend the seminar, which will include lunch and a networking opportunity.

The seminar will provide the following:

• - An overview of IELTS in 2008
• - News of forthcoming developments in IELTS
• - Information about how the IELTS test is valid, reliable and practical
• - A practical exercise to demonstrate how IELTS can be used to set appropriate standards of English language proficiency and the advantages of the unique IELTS Band Scores.
• - Using the IELTS Test Report Form Verification Service and other security features
• 
  Ning Guan, UK NARIC will discuss recognising fraudulent education qualifications in her talk 'Degrees of Deception'.

More than 2,000 U.S. Academic Institutions Now Accept IELTS - 22nd October 2008

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) today announced that more than 2,000 U.S. academic faculties, colleges and universities accept its English language proficiency test. Most recently Dartmouth College undergraduate admissions and the 23-campus California State University graduate school system recognized the test further proving its efficacy.

"Prospective students and determined international professionals now have an even greater opportunity to gain successful admission to any of these prestigious schools," said Beryl E. Meiron, U.S. Executive Director for IELTS International. "By choosing IELTS students are one step closer to studying in the U.S. because it proves they've got the necessary language skills to help them succeed in their studies and make the most of the exciting opportunities available on campus and in their new communities."

Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, now accepts IELTS for undergraduate admissions and is accepting IELTS test scores for the 2009-2010 school year. It has joined other Ivy League schools that already accept the test at either the undergraduate, graduate or professional school levels including Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and Yale.

Additionally, international students wishing to apply for admission to one of the California State University graduate schools can now use IELTS as an indicator of their English language skills. A minimum band score of 6 in the Academic Module of IELTS is needed for meeting the English language requirement for post-baccalaureate admission to the university. Prospective students should check with the department and the campus where they want to apply for specific band score requirements.

"Access to international education is dependent upon being able to offer institutions an impeccable application. As more and more institutions recognize IELTS, students will have greater options and variety in U.S. undergraduate and graduate level education," said Meiron.

Candidates can take the IELTS exam at more than 500 test centers worldwide and use their test scores at 6,000 institutions around the world. Admission requirements vary between schools. Students should check with each of their prospective schools to determine at which level – undergraduate or graduate – the IELTS test is accepted. Prospective candidates can find out more at www.ielts.org

IELTS Makes the Grade - All U.S. Ivy League Schools now recognize IELTS - 1st October 2008

Overseas students wishing to apply for a place at the prestigious Ivy League Schools in the U.S. can now use IELTS (the International English Language Test) as an indicator of their English language skills.

Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, now accepts IELTS for undergraduate admissions. Overseas students applying for admissions to the Ivy League Schools – Dartmouth, Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, Brown, Yale, Princeton Universities and the University of Pennsylvania – for the 2009–10 year, can use IELTS as evidence of their English language skills (Admission requirements vary between schools. Students should check with each school, at which level – undergraduate or graduate – they accept IELTS).

Beryl E. Meiron, US Executive Director for IELTS International, said: “This is great news for high achievers with excellent skills who want to attend any of these prestigious schools. Taking IELTS gets them one step closer to studying in the US. But just as importantly it proves they have the necessary language skills to help them succeed in their studies and make the most of the exciting opportunities available on campus and in their new communities.”

IELTS is now accepted by more than 2,000 U.S. academic faculties, colleges and universities. In addition candidates can take the test at more than 500 test centres worldwide and use their test scores at 6,000 institutions around the world. Prospective candidates can find out more at www.ielts.org

IELTS at NACAC - 25th September 2008

IELTS International was a silver sponsor and exhibitor at the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) in Seattle, Washington from September 25-27. The 64th National Conference, considered the leading professional development event for high school college counselors and undergraduate college admission professionals, was attended by over 5,000 attendees. NACAC is an organization of more than 10,000 global professionals dedicated to “serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education.”

Beryl E. Meiron from IELTS International talked to attendees about the new online test registration system for test takers applying to take IELTS in the US, the growth of IELTS recognition in the US and worldwide, and explain how to sign up for the free Test Report Form Verification Service and free electronic score downloads.

IELTS supports New Zealand premier event - CLESOL - 2nd October 2008

IELTS is a sponsor at the premier New Zealand education conference CLESOL which is taking place in Auckland from October 2 to 5. Presenting at CLESOL on IELTS is Amanda Jane Bayliss who is presenting a paper titled IELTS Scores and the prediction of tertiary academic language performance from a research project lead by Professor David Ingram and Amanda Bayliss.

The paper is being presented on Saturday October 4th at 11.40 am local time.

IELTS going Green in Australia - 07th October 2008

IELTS is a major “Green” sponsor at the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) being held in Brisbane Australia on October 7 to 10.

The event is the key regional education conference with over 1,200 attendees from Asia and the rest of the world attending to participate in workshops and listen to key global speakers on the education industry. Various papers will be presented at the conference that touch on IELTS and its benefits for industry.

East China University of Science and Technology Adopts IELTS for MBA programme - 1st July 2008

The prestigious East China University of Science and Technology (http://www.ecust.edu.cn/) in Shanghai has formally recognised IELTS as a qualification for entry to its School of Business. Applicants for undergraduate courses need IELTS band scores of 6.0-6.5 and applicants for foundation courses 5.0-5.5.

East China University of Science and Technology is the second Chinese university to recognise IELTS this year.

For more information on more than 6,000 institutions around the world that recognise IELTS, visit the Global Recognition System - GRS.

IELTS sponsors NAFSA plenary with Ishmeal Beah - 25th May 2008

IELTS was proud to sponsor a key plenary at the 60th NAFSA: Association of International Educators Annual Conference in Washington DC, USA in May this year.

Over 4,000 delegates attended the plenary session with Ishmael Beah, a former child soldier in Sierra Leone whose best selling book 'A Long Way Gone' about his own experiences has become a worldwide best-seller. In his inspiring talk Beah spoke of the plight of children affected by war around the world and the importance of international education and exchange for fostering global understanding and peace.

The plenary was just one of the contributions IELTS made to this event - the largest NAFSA Annual Conference to date, with over 9,300 delegates from 113 countries. Beryl Meiron, Executive Director, IELTS International reported that in all, over 1000 people visited the IELTS stand over the three and a half days of the Conference. This included representatives of many of the 1,800 universities and colleges in the USA that recognise IELTS, and of 11 more institutions that confirmed during the event that they now formally recognise IELTS.

NAFSA is the world’s leading association in the field of international education and exchange. It is a member organization promoting international education and providing professional development opportunities to the field with close to 10,000 members.