The Latest IELTS News
The world is moving at a fast pace these days and it is important to keep a close on migration news and updates to the IELTS test.
New Publication: IELTS 19 General Training
Cambridge’s annual release of four past IELTS tests is considered the benchmark for effective exam preparation.
Even amongst the big publishers some are known for creating exam papers which are much harder or easier than the actual test. The papers in this series are actual past papers and so give you a real exam experience.
Occasionally, the same questions are used again!
Whilst 19 editions are available, we’d recommend that you start with the latest one and work backwards. The test has had small changes over time and so the most recent editions reflect the current test more accurately.
Note that this book is for the General test, which means that the Reading test is a little different to the one taken for the Academic version. The Listening is exactly the same, as is the Writing Task 2 question, although the Writing Task 1 is quite different to the Academic version.
International Migration News
The UK
With Labour now in power, significant changes are anticipated in the UK’s immigration policies. Key reforms include:
- Reduced Reliance on Overseas Workers: Labour aims to lower net migration by enhancing domestic education and vocational training, investing in continuous learning opportunities for UK workers.
- Protection of Migrant Workers: The new government plans to implement robust legal frameworks to ensure fair treatment of migrant workers, including equal rights and protections as domestic workers. This includes laws on minimum wage, working hours, and prohibiting discrimination based on nationality, race, gender, or immigration status.
- Sector-Specific Initiatives: Labour recognizes the need for tailored strategies across different industries, such as construction, healthcare, IT, and manufacturing, to balance the demand for skilled labor with the development of the domestic workforce.
The success of these ambitious policies will depend on overcoming practical challenges and securing necessary resources.
Canada and Australia
Recent changes in immigration rules have led to a 30% rejection rate for visa applications in Australia, where visa fees have nearly doubled.
Canada has restricted the number of study permits.
These stricter rules and higher costs are particularly challenging for low-income families and students from developing countries, complicating their international study plans.
The new policies aim for long-term benefits but currently pose significant hurdles.
The Increased Importance of Getting Expert Help
Despite the above a considerable number of people are managing to migrate to their country of choice. They are achieving this by hiring expert help both in migration law and in achieving high band scores in tests like IELTS.
Get in touch if we can help you!
Further Reading
If you want to keep abreast of the latest developments, follow our blog, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts for up-to-the-minute news.
See you in August!