As summer arrives here in the UK, more IELTS and migration developments have occurred over the last 30 days. Here is a round-up all of the latest happenings around IELTS and the migration world.
The Latest IELTS News
Below are two key stories related to the IELTS exam that have broken since we left you in April–with a new British Council sponsored IELTS preparation program to research showing the increase in young people in Vietnam opting to take the IELTS test for migration.
New IELTS Preparation Platform Launched By The British Council
The British Council have recently revealed their latest preparation platform: IELTS Ready: Premium. Developed with input from experienced IELTS experts, this new platform offers both timed and untimed IELTS practice tests. Users’ answers are reviewed, and helpful feedback is provided, allowing them to focus on the most beneficial exercises for their own self-study.
IELTS Ready: Premium offers features such as writing practice with model answers, feedback on reading and listening questions, and customised support to help users improve in areas needing attention. To familiarise test takers with the test format and procedure, there is a range of useful videos also accessible on the platform.
This new preparation course will be provided to candidates free of charge, so long as they are registered for an upcoming IELTS exam through the British Council, and will be provided in collaboration with Guided e-Learning, a London-based online English learning provider.
Director of IELTS at the British Council, Andrew Mackenzie stated: “We want to give our IELTS test takers every tool we can to achieve their ambitions of living, working or studying overseas. We are therefore excited to launch IELTS Ready: Premium to help them feel fully prepared and have the best chance to fulfil those dreams.”
For more information on IELTS Ready: Premium, visit this page.
Younger Students In Vietnam Are Showing An Interest In IELTS
Over in Vietnam, research from the KTDC IELTS Training Centre has shown a notable demographic shift in the country’s IELTS test takers over the past half-decade, with a majority of students (62%) now falling within the 16 to 22 age bracket.
Since 2018 there has been a substantial rise in the number of Vietnamese people taking the IELTS exam, not just in the younger demographics but across the board. However, those aged between 16-18 have seen the most dramatic rise – from 1.47% (2018) to 30.21% in 2022.
There are a number of factors contributing to this rise, perhaps most notably the recent changes in admission policies at many of Vietnam’s prestigious universities. These institutions have updated their requirements to include international certifications like IELTS. While minor tweaks to admission procedures were made in 2018, the inclusion of IELTS in the admission criteria officially came into effect during the 2021-2022 academic year. Consequently, more students are investing time and resources in IELTS preparation in hopes of improving their chances of acceptance at their chosen universities.
With demand for the IELTS exam set to rise, availability for tests in Vietnam will inevitably become more scarce. This makes it all the more crucial for candidates to ensure they hit their desired band score the first time around. So, if you’re a hopeful young IELTS candidate in Vietnam, contact one of our expert tutors today and get the help you need to access the score you deserve!
International Migration News
Whether for work or university admissions, we’ve rounded up some notable migration developments in countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia & New Zealand.
Australian Policy Change Could Lead To NZ Nursing Shortage
The Australian Government has announced changes to their immigration policy that paves the way for New Zealanders who have lived and worked in the country for four years or longer to gain citizenship.
On the surface, this seems less likely to affect IELTS candidates – given that New Zealand nationals migrating to Australia will rarely need an IELTS score to do so. However, Anne Daniels, President of New Zealand’s Nurses Organisation, has expressed concerns over potential staff shortages as many Kiwi nurses head to Australia in search of better pay.
This scenario could inadvertently increase the demand for IELTS candidates possessing nursing qualifications, making them potentially more sought-after in the Oceanic nation.
Ontario Eyes Significant Increase in Skilled Immigration Intake
The Canadian province of Ontario has unveiled plans to invest an additional $25 million over the next three years to effectively double its intake of skilled immigrants. This increase in skilled migrants is largely to help plug gaps in the local workforce and bolster its economic recovery since the Covid-19 pandemic has left many areas and industries in the province short of staff.
The fresh funds allocated in Ontario’s local budget for 2023 will expedite the processing of applications, enabling newcomers to enter Ontario’s workforce more swiftly. This will be done via The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, which allows the province to propose individuals for permanent residence who possess the requisite skills and experience to bolster Ontario’s economy, particularly in sectors such as skilled trades and health care.
If you’re hoping to be one of these nominated skilled workers migrating to Ontario, then you will need to consider your IELTS band score, as this will likely be part of the first hurdle -accessing a temporary work visa. To find out more about the IELTS exam and how our tutors can help you achieve success in it, visit this page of our website.
Further Reading
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See you in June!