As the world continues to recover from Covid and deals with rising inflation — more people than ever are on the move, and new opportunities are arising! In this article we bring you up to date on the latest IELTS news.
This month we show why it is likely IELTS will remain an essential step in this journey. We also announce a new and exciting opportunity for non-UK teachers to gain a new British iQTS qualification.
The Latest IELTS News
A petition in Nigeria has called for requirements for students from that country to take the IELTS test to be abolished. Students there are upset since many of them consider themselves native speakers. Indeed test results show that Nigerians achieve the 3rd highest scores in Africa.
However, the UK home office says that to be exempted, it must be proven that over half of a country’s population speaks English as its native tongue. Data in Nigeria shows that only 12% of the population speak English natively.
On top of that, even native British speakers take the IELTS test in order to emigrate to countries like Canada and Australia — so it seems unlikely that Commonwealth governments will offer any exemptions soon.
International Job and Study News
Good News for Teachers — Gain a New Internationally Recognised Teaching Qualification by Studying in the UK or Abroad
Last month we announced good news for pharmacists interested in moving to an English-speaking country. This month it is the turn of teachers…
A worldwide teaching credential known as “international Qualified Teacher Status” was proposed by the UK government in a public consultation that began in February 2021. (iQTS). iQTS was introduced as part of the International Education Strategy 2021 Update in order to facilitate the export of excellence in teaching training.
Who Can Take It?
This certification is ideal for non-UK residents who want to begin or expand their teaching career outside of the United Kingdom.
As of spring 2022, iQTS has entered its trial phase and is being taught by DfE-approved iQTS providers, who collaborate with exceptional schools and in-school mentors worldwide. Candidates will be able to begin taking iQTS classes in the fall of 2022.
There is no requirement for candidates to go to the UK to complete the iQTS training programme. Training centres will begin offering iQTS as a part-time study course from the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year.
There is a one-year course of study and a year of practical teaching experience. All course materials and teaching is in English.
An online English teacher training programme from iQTS providers includes face-to-face mentorship at the candidate’s placement school. It also provides frequent feedback, and rigorous evaluation.
Who Offers iQTS
The six pilot providers selected to begin providing iQTS in September 2022, after the clearance process are: The University of Warwick; Sheffield Hallam University; The University of Birmingham Dubai; Canterbury Christ Church University; The University of Sunderland and The University of Derby.
You will need an IELTS score of 6.5 or above to apply for iQTS.
Contact us if you would like more information on how to apply for iQTS and if you need help achieving the band 6.5!
Further IELTS News
If you want to keep abreast of the latest IELTS news, follow our blog, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts for up-to-the-minute news.
See you in July!