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IELTS Announces 2010 Caroline Clapham IELTS Masters Award to Thom Kiddle

The IELTS Research Committee, comprising representatives of the British Council, IDP Education, and University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, is pleased to announce the awarding of the 2010 Caroline Clapham IELTS Masters Award to Thom Kiddle, for his dissertation submitted to Lancaster University entitled “The effect of mode of response on a semi-direct test of oral proficiency.” The dissertation was supervised by Dr Judit Kormos. In addition, the Committee also issued a commendation for the dissertation of Gerard Seinhorst, also from Lancaster University.

The award, which carries a prize of £1000, will be formally presented to the winner at the Language Testing Research Colloquium (LTRC) in June 2011.

The Caroline Clapham IELTS Masters Award is presented annually to the Master's-level dissertation or thesis in English which makes the most significant contribution to the field of language testing. Please check the IELTS Masters Awards page in early 2011 for the details of next year’s competition.

Congratulations to Messrs Kiddle and Seinhorst!

IELTS International Offers Free Workshops for ESL Teachers in the US - 6 October 2010

IELTS International is pleased to offer complimentary professional development seminars to ESL teachers in conjunction with various statewide Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) conferences this fall. IELTS, a test of English language proficiency, is taken by over one million global test takers each year, and is accepted by over 3,000 U.S. institutions and programs for admissions purposes.

The 3-hour workshops will include overviews of testing, research, scoring and test use. Participants will become familiarized with the test format, task types and the unique writing and speaking modules. Teachers in attendance will learn how to integrate IELTS preparation into academic course curricula, and will receive free resources including classroom-ready activities and syllabus materials.

The professional development seminars will be held in the following locations:

• Miami, Florida – Tuesday, September 21, 2010
• Ypsilanti, Michigan – Friday, October 1, 2010
• Phoenix, Arizona – Thursday, October 7, 2010
• Des Moines, Washington – Friday, October 22, 2010
• San Antonio, Texas – Thursday, November 11, 2010
• Aurora, Colorado (tentative) – Thursday, November 11, 2010

If you are interested in attending a free, scheduled IELTS workshop, email ielts@ieltsintl.org and include the city and date for the event you plan to attend.

UK's GMC increase minimum language requirements for overseas doctors - August 2010

The UK's General Medical Council (GMC) has decided to increase the minimum level of language ability needed by overseas doctors to work in the UK.

From 1 October the new rules - announced last week - will increase the minimum scores overseas doctors need to achieve in their IELTS test.

Currently, non-EU doctors needing IELTS as part of their registration to work in the UK are required to achieve an overall average score of 7.0, with minimum scores of 7.0 for speaking and 6.0 for listening, reading and writing. From October, this will increase to minimum of 7.0 overall and minimum 7.0 for all of the four language skills.

IELTS sets the standard for Canadian migration - July 2010

New Canadian migration rules make IELTS even more valuable for people who want to live and work in Canada, with demonstration of language proficiency via an approved test score now a requirement of skilled migration applicants under changes announced by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Previously, language competency could be demonstrated via an approved English language test score or a written submission by applicants intending to live or work in Canada. The changes apply to applicants under the Federal Skilled Workers and Canadian Experience Class.

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, has welcomed the changes. IELTS is one of two English language tests recognised by CIC for this purpose and is considered a trusted measure of English internationally. Jointly owned and managed by the British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), IELTS has been recognised by CIC since 1999.

“IELTS is great preparation for anyone who wants to live or work in an English speaking country because it proves you can really use English to communicate in a whole range of situations,” Communication and Stakeholder Relations Director with Cambridge ESOL, Christine Nuttall explains.

“IELTS is the English test of choice for migration authorities around the world. We've been working with immigration authorities in Canada, Australia, the UK and New Zealand for many years to make sure that IELTS really meets their needs and helps migrants and students to integrate into their new countries.”

The IELTS test was first established 21 years ago and has since grown to be the world’s most popular high stakes English language test. Last over 1.4 million candidates sat IELTS worldwide.

“As CIC makes clear, the added bonus for test takers is that many regulatory bodies and industry sectors require proof of language competency, so in taking an IELTS test, applicants are one step closer to entry into the Canadian labour market,” says Ms Nuttall.

IELTS is recognised by over 6,000 organisations worldwide, with Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the highly ranked McGill University, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, University of Alberta and Simon Fraser University amongst the 189 organisations who recognise IELTS in Canada.

IELTS to deliver information sessions for stakeholders in Melbourne - July 2010

IELTS Australia staff are currently delivering information sessions for the tertiary sector and
assessing authorities who rely and recognise IELTS.

Two separate sessions tailored for assessing authorities (morning session) and the tertiary sector (afternoon session) will be held in Melbourne on Friday 13 August.

To RSVP to either of these sessions, email Bethany Marett at ielts.communications@idp.com with your details and nominate whether you represent an assessing authority or tertiary education provider.

Recognising excellence in language schools – May 2010

IELTS is proudly sponsoring the English Australia/IELTS Award for Contribution to Quality in ELICOS through Academic Leadership at the English Australia Awards.

The awards, which take place on 16-18 September on the Gold Coast, recognise and celebrate the contribution of individuals and organisations to the ELICOS industry in Australia.

IELTS recognise the key role that academic managers play in the overall quality of the development and delivery of ELICOS programs.

Academic managers are responsible for curriculum and program development, teacher employment, as well as student outcomes, support and satisfaction. A good academic manager has a combination of skills, knowledge and personal qualities that can have a major impact on an ELICOS institution.

The winner will receive a cheque for $1500, a certificate and trophy, as well as up to $1500 to cover return economy flights, accommodation and expenses to attend the English Australia Conference Gala Awards dinner.

Nominations for the English Australia/IELTS Award for Contribution to Quality in ELICOS through Academic Leadership close on 21 May 2010. To nominate, please visit the English Australia Awards website. 

IELTS International co-sponsors the AACC International Reception - 13 April 2010

IELTS International is pleased to announce their co-sponsorship of the International Reception at the upcoming American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Convention to be held April 17 – 20 in Seattle, Washington.  

The International Reception will be Sunday, April 18 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, and is open to international visitors and guests in attendance at this year’s AACC Convention.

As the premier English language proficiency test, IELTS provides evidence that non-native speakers have the English proficiency skills required for academic success.  IELTS is taken by over one million test takers annually, and is recognized by over 6,000 top higher educational institutions and professional bodies worldwide, including over 2,500 programs and institutions in the U.S.

AACC is the leading proponent and national "voice for community colleges”. The association represents almost 1,200 two-year, associate degree–granting institutions and more than 11 million students, as well as a growing number of international members in Puerto Rico, Japan, Great Britain, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.

IELTS International proudly supports AACC’s mission to advance the recognition of the role of American community colleges serving society today, as well as AACC’s commitment to diversity on community college campuses.  “We are delighted to be able to support AACC in their recognition of the importance of an international student presence on college campuses,” said Beryl Meiron, Executive Director of IELTS International.  “With the IELTS test, international students can gain admission to an increasing number of two year colleges in the US.”

For further details about the AACC International Reception, visit the IELTS International booth #408 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Halls 4A-4B.

For more information on IELTS and AACC, please visit http://www.ielts.org/ and http://www.aacc.nche.edu/

Hong Kong Universities fund final year students to take IELTS - 11 March 2010

The verdict's out in Hong Kong: English proficiency is high on the agenda for undergraduate students.

Hong Kong's University Grants Committee (UGC) recently announced that a record high number of final-year undergraduate students had registered for a voluntary IELTS test this year. Over 12,000 students registered for an IELTS test under the Common English Proficiency Assessment Scheme (CEPAS). This figure represents an increase of about 2.3% from last year.

Paulina Leung, of the CEPAS Management Unit said, "This outstanding result is indicative of the value students are placing on their English language skills, particularly because the Scheme remains voluntary."

"It's clear that students value an IELTS result on their resumes. There is a strong understanding that the future is bright; the doors are opened to hundreds of employers seeking skilled workers who are proficient in English language."

Since the establishment of the IELTS CEPAS Testing Centre in Hong Kong in 2002, over 67,000 UGC-funded students have completed the test. The Testing Centre was jointly set up through the offices of IDP Education and British Council in Hong Kong. Robust communication between the Test Centre, the UGC and university registrars also takes place, ensuring the candidate registration process runs smoothly.

The University Grants Committee is the non statutory body which advises the Hong Kong Government of the SAR on the funding and strategic development of higher education in Hong Kong.

IELTS International Partners with AACSB to provide Conference Registration for ICAM 2010 - 3 March 2010

IELTS International announced an offer for a free conference registration for an attendee to the 2010 Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International Conference and Annual Meeting (ICAM) to be held April 18 – 20 in Anaheim, California.

AACSB International, the preeminent accrediting agency of college and university business schools and accounting programs worldwide, is devoted to the advancement of higher education in management education.

IELTS International strongly supports AACSB’s mission to advance quality education and to provide on-going professional development through conference participation and the sharing of ideas. To assist management school professionals who wish to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills, IELTS International will provide a full conference registration to an attendee with less than five years experience in the field who is directly involved in the strategic planning, recruitment or admission of international students in schools of management or business.

“Higher educational institutions around the globe have had to make serious cutbacks in costs due to the financial downturn, including instituting restrictions on conference attendance.  IELTS International is pleased to be able to provide financial assistance to an individual who may have otherwise been unable to attend this year’s AACSB ICAM,” said Beryl Meiron, Executive Director of IELTS International.

For more information on IELTS and AACSB, please visit http://www.ielts.org/ and http://www.aacsb.edu/

IELTS International offers ESL Teachers a Professional Development Day - 24 February 2010

Today IELTS International announced a free professional development training day for ESL teachers to be held in Boston, MA. IELTS, the premier English language proficiency test, is taken by over one million test takers annually. Recognized in the U.S. and worldwide by over six thousand top higher educational institutions and professional bodies, IELTS provides evidence that non-native speakers have the English language proficiency skills required for academic success. 

The IELTS event will be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm, immediately prior to the TESOL Convention, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The agenda will include overviews of language testing, statistics, current research, band scoring and test use in the U.S. Participants will examine the test format, task types, and the unique writing and speaking modules. Teachers attending will learn how to integrate IELTS preparation into academic course curricula. Free materials and classroom-ready activities will be provided.

“More and more international ESL students studying in the U.S. want to take IELTS and are asking their teachers for information,” said Richard Halstead, U.S. Regional Manager for IELTS International. “We hope the information and resources provided will allow teachers to advise students about IELTS and successfully prepare them to do well on the test.”

Event participation, lunch and resources are complimentary. Due to limited space, interested teachers are asked to RSVP their name, title, institution, phone number and email to ielts@ieltsintl.org on or before March 15, 2010.

New IELTS test centre in Sydney at UWS – 8 January 2010

The University of Western Sydney’s UWSCollege recently launched the region’s first dedicated IELTS testing centre in a move that will greatly support migrant and refugee settlement programs in Greater Western Sydney.

UWS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janice Reid said the new centre is another great way in which the University is opening up opportunities and access to higher education for the people of Greater Western Sydney.

“Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveal that 34 per cent of people in the Greater Western Sydney region are born overseas and 29 per cent come from a non-English speaking background, a higher amount than any other parts of Sydney,” she said.

The new IELTS Centre will assist new migrants, refugees and overseas students on the path to greater participation in the community, work and further education.

The centre will cater for about 350 people a session where the candidates will complete individual tests for listening, reading, writing and speaking.

The CEO of UWSCollege, Dr Kerry Hudson, said: “What sets IELTS apart from other English language tests is the face-to-face speaking component, and the security and integrity of testing. The interactive component closely resembles a real-life situation, to really test the students’ English language skills and proficiency.”

Faster access to IELTS tests in Australia - 7 January 2010