Join IELTS USA to learn about the linguistic and cultural challenges International Teaching Assistants (ITA) face, as well as the innovative approach Lehigh University has taken to help ITAs transition smoothly into the classroom. Survey results showing how administrators and ITAs perceive the challenges and support needed will also be shared.
Co-Presenters:
Kayla Landers, Language Specialist/ ITA Program Liaison, Lehigh University
Marianne Menius, Graduate Program and Research Manager, IELTS USA
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The IELTS Partners invite researchers with expertise in language learning and assessment research to apply for funding to undertake applied research projects in relation to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Join us on Wednesday, May 11 at 8:30am PDT/11:30am EDT to learn more about the 2022 research areas of interest and application process. We will be joined by Joint Funded Research Committee Member, Mina Patel. The deadline to apply for the IELTS Joint Funded Research Grant is June 30, 2022.
Co-presenters:
Mina Patel, Assessment Research Manager, British Council
Mina is the Assessment Research Manager with the Assessment Research Group at the British Council. Her background is in English language teaching and training. She has worked in the UK, Greece, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia as a teacher, trainer, materials developer and ELT projects manager and has extensive experience working with Ministries of Education in East Asia. Mina has presented at numerous national and international conferences on ELT related matters. Mina’s interests in language testing and assessment lie in the areas of language assessment literacy and the impact of testing and assessment. She is currently a PhD student with CRELLA at the University of Bedfordshire, UK.
Okim Kang, Ph.D, Professor of Applied Linguistics/TESL and Director of the Applied Linguistics Speech Lab, Northern Arizona University
Dr. Okim Kang’s research interests include speech production and perception, L2 pronunciation and intelligibility, L2 oral assessment and testing, automated scoring and speech recognition, World Englishes, and language attitude.
Marianne Menius, Graduate Program and Research Manager, IELTS USA
Marianne joined IELTS USA after working in international admissions in NC and DC. She works with all graduate programs at US institutions to ensure they understand the IELTS test and English proficiency assessment literacy. Additionally, she works with the IELTS partners on the Joint Research Committee to support researchers based in the US. Prior to working at IELTS, Marianne earned her Master's degree in International Communication from American University.
Colleges & universities engage various models for creating support services designed to meet the needs of linguistically and culturally diverse students. Yet, questions remain about how to meaningfully engage students, faculty, and colleagues in the journey towards educational attainment.
In this session, presenters will provide an overview of Design Thinking concepts and how this model can inform traditional approaches to problem-solving in higher education. Then, panelists from Cedarville University and University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, reflect on their path to using design thinking’s iterative process of building, refining, and improving to challenge assumptions about the international student experience. In addition, they will discuss how they engage key stakeholders and move towards a community of practice united in their commitment to learning, growth, and student success.
Co-presenters:
Jodi Simek, International Education Manager, University of Wisconsin Whitewater
Brenda Reid, Director of International Student Services, Cedarville University
Bolu Oluwadiya, Associate Regional Manager, Higher Education, IELTS USA
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According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the U.S. remains a top destination for Indian students hoping to study abroad. Today Indian students represent the second-largest cohort of international students in the United States.
As savvy consumers of international education, Indian students have a keen eye on career outcomes and changes to visa regulations, including OPT and H1B. U.S. institutions hoping to stand out in this agile market should align their recruitment and marketing efforts to the key decision factors for prospective applicants.
Co-presenters:
Katie Zazenski - International Admission Counselor, Undergraduate Admissions, Maryland Institute College of Arts
Colleen Thapalia - Senior Director, Graduate Recruitment & Enrollment Marketing, Clarkson University
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Nigeria is in a league of its own regarding population growth and potential international student recruitment. According to Nigeria’s National Universities Commission, fewer than 20% of applicants to Nigerian universities gained admission over the last decade, leaving 6.3 million qualified students without a place (ICEF Insights Report 2020).
IELTS USA’s in-country partners at IDP and representatives from the Community College of Baltimore County and Syracuse University will spotlight Nigeria in an upcoming webinar as a promising recruitment market. Register to learn about mobility trends, English proficiency trends, as well as strategies for recruiting and supporting students from one of the only regions to see an increase in international student mobility (2020 IIE Open Doors).
Co-presenters:
Jennifer Matthews, Director of International Admissions, Syracuse University
Bolu Oluwadia, Associate Regional Manager, IELTS USA
Funmi Peter Thomas, IELTS Operations and Business Development Manager, Nigeria, IDP Education, LTD
Nellie Pharr-Maletta, Assistant Director of International Student Services and PDSO, Community College of Baltimore County Maryland
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Don’t wait until a student arrives on campus and then you realize their documents might be falsified. There are steps you can take to verify the authenticity of documents before you accept applicants for admission to your institution. Join us to learn more about document security and verification.
In this session, presenters will provide tips and best practices for identifying fraudulent documents. Attendees will learn about services offered by IELTS and WES, and view a demonstration from IELTS about how to use the IELTS verification service to verify IELTS Test Report Forms.
Co-presenters:
Susan Whipple, Assistant Director in the Office of International Education at Marquette University
She has been working in the international education field for 20+ years in a variety of roles but has current responsibilities for the recruitment, admission and credential evaluation for international undergraduate students, is an international student advisor to graduate, professional, undergraduate and exchange visitors, the NCAA Division I liaison for international student-athletes, social and cultural programming for international students and teaches a class for new international students…and other duties as assigned. She is also the editor for NAFSA’s Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World.
Lori Grogg, WES Regional Directors
Prior to joining WES in 2002, Lorinda enjoyed a career in education that included classroom instruction, admissions (Ball State University), and recruitment/ assessment/ placement/ outcomes (ACT). Today she provides leadership for the Institutional Relations team, which includes Regional Directors and Academic Services as part of the team’s work with recipients of WES evaluations and services, and coordinating with and supporting other divisions at WES. What she enjoys most, however, are the personal relationships she has developed over time with campus-based colleagues, and the opportunity to advise and assist them.
Donna Cameron, Associate Regional Manager, Higher Education, IELTS USA
Donna Cameron is the Associate Manager for Higher Education at IELTS USA. Donna’s background is in International Enrollment Management. She works with secondary schools, colleges, and undergraduate programs at institutions West of the Mississippi to ensure they understand how prospective applicants demonstrate their ability to use English as an additional language through the IELTS test.
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Colleges and universities can create true access for their international students by creating support services designed to meet the needs of linguistically and culturally diverse students. To meet this need, many institutions are moving to centralized offices that focus on international student success. For institutions wanting to do more, knowing where to start can be challenging.
Join panelists from Delta State University and Mississippi College as they discuss how designing an International Student Support Center can help attract, support, and retain international students. Dr. Christy Riddle and Missey Hudson from Delta State University will share how their International Student Success Center was created, the services they provide, and how they track international student success. Michelle Johansen from Delta State University will share how Delta State’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs include and highlight international students in campus life. Additionally, Mei-Chi Piletz from Mississippi College will share how their Office of Global Education has become a home away from home for their international students and discuss the services they provide to ensure a smooth transition to university life and a successful on-campus and off-campus student experience.
Co-presenters:
Missey Hudson, International Admissions Specialist, Delta State University
Michelle Johansen, International Education Coordinator, Delta State University
Kate McKeen, Director of Higher Education, IELTS USA
Mei-Chi Piletz, Executive Director, Office of Global Education, Mississippi College
Dr. Christy Riddle, Executive Director of Student Success Center and International Services, Delta State University
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With the onset of the global pandemic, a growing number of institutions in the US have made the decision to temporarily waive standardized testing requirements. While other institutions and state systems have made the decision to completely phase out SAT and ACT requirements over the next four years.
In this webinar, IELTS USA and co-presenters from higher education institutions and international secondary schools explored best practices for transitioning to a test optional policy and tips for advising prospective US-bound international students as admissions requirements change.
Co-presenters:
Ruby Bhattacharya, Associate Director of Admissions and the Director of International Recruitment, Barnard College
Jennifer Blask, Executive Director of International Admissions, University of Rochester
Becky Konwicz, Dean of Undergraduate Admission, Santa Clara University
Kate McKeen, Director, Higher Education, IELTS USA
Lisa Przekop, Director, Undergraduate Admissions, University of California, Santa Barbara
Shikha Vij, Career Counselor at Step by Step School, Noida, India
The IELTS Partners invite researchers with expertise in language learning and assessment research to apply for funding to undertake applied research projects in relation to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Learn more about the 2021 research areas of interest and application process from former Joint Funded Research Grant Recipient, Dr. Okim Kang, and Joint Funded Research Committee Member, Jenny Osborne.
Co-presenters:
Dr. Okim Kang, Ph.D, Professor of Applied Linguistics/TESL and Director of the Applied Linguistics Speech Lab, Northern Arizona University
Jenny Osborne, Researcher Coordinator- IELTS, IDP Education
Latin America has consistently played an important role in global international student mobility and many countries in this region are frequently listed in IIE’s Open Doors Report list of top sending countries for US Institutions. Join IELTS USA and co-presenters for an overview of Latin America. This webinar will review the mobility of students from this region and discuss trends in education reform that may affect future student mobility. Additionally, we will share IELTS test taker trends, recruitment opportunities for US institutions, and best practices for English language support for academic success.
Co-presenters:
Ed Bustos, Director of International Admission, Rollins College
Fred Johnson, Director of International Admissions, Johnson & Wales University
Alex Wood, Regional Exams Commercial Development Manager, British Council Americas
Universities across the globe have responded to the many challenges posed by Covid-19, one of which is determining the English language proficiency of international applicants while test centers are temporarily closed. Many universities responded to this challenge by temporarily accepting short online tests, which lack the robust peer-reviewed validity studies of other long-standing proficiency tests. As Tony Clark, Senior Research Manager at Cambridge Assessment English, mentioned in his recent Linkedln article, shorter online tests offer less time to assess the skills you would expect from a test being used for academic purposes.
Join us for a webinar exploring how universities are grappling with these same questions and implementing safeguards to ensure struggling students can be identified and provided the language support they need.
Co-presenters:
Misty Wilson, ESL Program Development & Research Manager, IELTS USA
Tony Clark, Senior Research Manager, Cambridge Assessment English
Alison Camacho, Associate Director of SCAD Language Studio, Savannah College of Art and Design
Katherine Pope, Director of English Language Institute, North Central College
English language study is becoming increasingly important in the Central Asia region. Kazakhstan, which is the economic powerhouse in this region, has recently reformed their education system to meet their goal of creating a trilingual country by 2050. This reform included a recent initiative to teach sciences in English in all schools across the country.
Join IELTS USA and co-presenters for an overview of Central Asia with a spotlight on This webinar will review the student mobility of this region and recent education reforms to promote English language proficiency. Additionally, we will discuss IELTS test taker trends, recruitment opportunities for US institutions, and best practices for English language support for academic success.
Co-presenters:
Daniyar Duiagambetov, Marketing Manager, Central Asia , British Council
Naomi Levine, Director of Admissions, North field Mount Herman
Dr. Kathie Stromile Golden, Provost and Senior Vice -President for Academic Affairs, Mississippi Valley State University
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COVID-19 has exacerbated existing acculturation challenges for international students, and recently there has been a renewed interest in higher education to tend to their students’ emotional and mental well-being. For non-native English speakers, language difficulties can further impact their ability to cope during these difficult times.
Join IELTS USA and international higher education colleagues for a discussion on the importance of language and the impact this has on mental health and well-being for non-native English speakers.
Guest speakers, Dr. Nelson Brunsting (from Wake Forest University and Patriece Campbell from Millereyille University will share research-informed, practical strategies that international student administrators can use to break down cultural barriers, help promote international students' resilience, and foster a culture of care and advocacy in promoting international students’ mental health.
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Globalization has not only affected the increase in student mobility, It has also changed the landscape of English as the lingua franca in jobs around the world. This webinar will discuss the evolving English proficiency requirements in career fields across multiple disciplines, and the effect this has on the success of international students’ job placement statistics.
We will also review how the changes in employer expectations should be considered when setting admissions requirements for International students, and adding more in-depth student support services for career preparation.
Co-presenters:
Katherine Beczak, Assistant Director, Graduate Enrollment Services, Rochester Institute of Technology
Rebecca Chase, Associate Director, Market Readiness & Employment, Wake Forest University
Mark Hurrell, Development Manager, Recognition, Cambridge Assessment English
Marianne Menius, Graduate Program and Research Manager, IELTS USA
English proficiency is a vital factor for International student success both Inside and outside the classroom. Successful students, specifically non- native English speakers, should be ready to engage in academic and social communication through productive and receptive skills.
In order to ensure that students are able to succeed and meet the demands of their program, it is essential to understand the complexity of English proficiency and assess these skills.
While interviews can serve as an important component of the admissions process, they will not provide an admissions officer or faculty member with a complete assessment of a student’s English proficiency. Enacting admissions policies that holistically assess students” English proficiency is essential for both student and university program success.
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Did you know that IELTS USA provides more than just an English proficiency test? We also offer a variety of resources to assist representatives serving international students in a variety of capacities. Our goal is to provide services and support to help improve the overall international student experience on campus.
Join representatives from IELTS USA and panelists from Long Beach City College, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Mississippi Valley State University, and the University of La Verne as we take you on a journey highlighting IELTS complimentary services and professional development opportunities. Learn more about IELTS and participate in a panel discussion with your colleagues who are already using many of these resources.
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Join representatives from IELTS USA, LSAC, and Tulane Law School to learn more about how we work together to provide law schools with valid and reliable English proficiency assessments for their applicants.
In this webinar, we discuss the IELTS data that can be received from LSAC, how law schools can set up their own IELTS Results Service Verification account and other complimentary IELTS services that are available to all universities. Tulane Law School will also share some examples from their experience of working with both IELTS and LSAC.
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With the application season right around the corner, we invite you to join IELTS USA for our IELTS 101 webinar. This webinar is geared towards both undergraduate and graduate admissions professionals, and is ideal for anyone new to international admissions or in need of an IELTS refresher.
Topics include:
- an overview of IELTS
- a review of score delivery options that are offered to recognizing organizations
- information on IELTS Indicator and API integration
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