IELTS for Accountants in Australia

Medical practitioners and skilled work have been on the rise as in terms of professions in Australia. For medical professionals, nurses are very much needed in hospitals and health care institutions across the country. Skilled work is for areas in Australia where there is shortage for manpower. These two professions are already known for Filipinos who are currently planning to find and secure a job overseas. In addition to these two, there is another profession needed in Australia – accountants.

 Many might be wondering why Australia needs accountants. In truth, there are still unfilled demands of accountants in Australia. Hence, Filipino accountants are encouraged to gain more experience in the field of accounting to increase the chances of getting a good job in Australia. However, Filipino accountants should remember that they need to take the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination.

The IELTS is one requirement needed by accountants to work in Australia. For General Skilled migration, the candidate needs to complete the Academic IELTS with a band score of 7 and no grade lower than 7 from the four sections (speaking, reading, listening and writing). Moreover, the candidate needs to complete the Skilled Migration Internship Program for Accountants.

Why do accountants need to take the IELTS?

English is widely spoken in Australia; hence, employers seek to hire professionals who do not have any problems in using the English language. They need individuals who can effectively communicate in English and solve problems and be part of a team. It is expected of these accountants to manage situations wherein they need to give advice or handle complicated situations where detailed reasoning is needed.

What are some positions available for these accountants?

1. Forensic accountants
Forensic accountants are tasked to track and analyze any discrepancy in the business like missing funds and illegal activities such as fraud and scams.

2. Chief Financial Officers
To keep the companies’ finances healthy, chief financial officers are responsible for data analysis, presenting reports and designing strategies for the companies’ success.

3. Internal accounting specialist
They are responsible in managing cross-border transactions, global trade agreements and overseas investments.

4. Strategic procurement manager
Organizational deals are part of their responsibility. They do market research, evaluation plans and constantly check their contacts.

Looking at the different accounting positions Filipino accountants can apply, it is really a nice opportunity to work in Australia. The requirements can be pretty demanding and numerous, but the chance of earning more and being in Australia are the best driving force for individuals to work in Australia.

In Demand Skilled Works in New Zealand

To find employment in countries abroad has been popular among Filipinos in the past few years. Filipinos have wanted to have a job in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States and even in Australia where they can earn more money and maximize their skills in their chosen field of interest. Checking the job vacancies abroad, there are a lot of jobs available most especially in New Zealand.

Indeed, New Zealand is the newest job destination for Filipinos. Not only a country for vacation and leisure, New Zealand has also opened job opportunities to different skilled works that Filipinos can take advantage of. In fact, there are 11 key areas of work where skilled workers are definitely needed in New Zealand like healthcare, health technology, engineering, agriculture and forestry, construction and education. Below is a list of some in demand skilled works in New Zealand. Check these job vacancies and you might already be qualified for a great job in New Zealand.

1. Agriculture and Forestry
Known for its bountiful natural resources, New Zealand is in need of skilled workers in the field of agriculture and forestry. This includes beef cattle farmers, dairy cattle farmers (herd manager or assistant farm manager), poultry farmer, pig farmer and pig farmers.

2. Construction
Job offers under construction are building inspector, construction and project managers (foreman), and even surveying technicians.

3. Health and Social Services
The vacancies under health and social services cover biotechnologists, dental technician, dentists, and medical practitioners such as physicians, nurses, pediatricians, and even pharmacy technicians.

4. Oil and Gas
The job sounds pretty difficult and heavy but workers are well compensated. This includes safety surveyors, maintenance planners, and production managers.

5. Recreation, Hospitality and Tourism
These jobs are horse trainers, jockeys, and even café and restaurant managers.
For a complete list of the job offerings New Zealand has, check the following links http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/063ECB35-F5D5-44D8-8325-7041A727A9D5/0/INZ109311February2013.pdf and http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/89185A40-27D3-41F4-84BE-30129920411D/0/ISSL.pdf.
If you are offered a job under these skills with your experience and qualifications matched, then you will not have any problems processing your working visa. Moreover, applicants can search other jobs online that would best fit their qualifications. Just be sure that they are recognized by POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. Additionally, in any job application, an English proficiency examination certificate is required. Hence, it is best to take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) to prove one’s fluency in the English language and be globally competitive.

Why do Immigrants Need to Take English Test

Many people who wish to be immigrants in English-communicating countries would often question the need for sitting an English proficiency exam. Countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK, the US, and New Zealand would require non-native communicators of English to take examinations such as the International English Language Test System (IELTS) or the TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language), although the latter is most often required for those who wish to get a student visa.

There are several reasons why English tests are important to migrants. Basically, an English examination is seen as a determiner of the would-be migrant’s ability to adapt to their new lives.

1.       English examinations such as the IELTS are required by policy. English-speaking countries have made English proficiency exam results as a main requirement in the points system for migration. The higher the score in the prescribed English test, the higher the points.  

2.       It proves their English proficiency and makes it more possible for them to join the working class of that country. Communication is an important skill for anyone who wishes to join the workforce. English examinations such as the IELTS or the TOEFL are concrete proofs of a candidate’s English proficiency. Many employers would be hesitant in giving jobs to non-native speakers of their language, for fear of difficultly in communication. Such perception of language barrier can be broken if the migrant presents his or her English exam results.

3.       It is evidence of the candidate’s ability to socialize with others. Social interaction is seen as an important part of one’s integration in a community.  Countries which accept migrants would want them to be integrated with those countries’ natives. Communication skill, as well as proof of it, is important for migrants in order to live a full life abroad.

4.       In ensures that migrants are able to transact or do business with natives. This is particularly important, seeing that a migrant should be independent in doing every day transactions such as buying food, commuting, and even negotiating for a place to live. In the IELTS examination, for instance, the module crafted for would-be migrants, the General Training module, contains letter writing. This is to assess a migrant’s ability to communicate in formal English, which they may have to do during their stay in the English-communicating country.

For migrants, the English exams  are not just a requirement but a test and a proof of their ability to survive and live life well in the country they wish to migrate to. This is the primary importance of English examinations. 

Increase Memorization Skills in Language Learning

Confession time: I am not a fan of memorization. However, in learning a language, especially in learning Grammar and new vocabulary, memorization is important as it is the first step to mastery. Memorization might be difficult, especially for people who have short term memory. There are several ways to improve your memorization in order to master the most important language components.

Here are several ways to do it.

1.       Use word association. This is one of the easiest ways to remember new vocabulary. Tie the word which you want to learn to a world you already know.

Example:

If you want to remember the difference between complement and compliment, then you can associate complement with the word complete. You spell both words with an “e”. These words are synonymous.

2.       Channel the Inner Mathematician and bring it to learning Grammar. People say that English and mathematics are two different realms of study. I beg to disagree. The great thing about language is that it is made up of sentences, and sentences can be broken down to structure. Having a structure means that language is not a chaotic mess – it can be broken down to a logical system of sequence. This is where formulas would come in.

Example:

If you are learning tenses of the verb, then it may be a good time to tell you that, in the very core of a sentence, a verb will always exist. Thus, in memorizing the structures of a sentence and learning the format of a tense of the verb can be done simultaneously. Cool, right?

Let us say you are trying to learn the present perfect tense. Consider this: a sentence is made out of a subject and a verb.

Sentence = Subject + Verb

Present perfect tense for a singular subject:

Sentence = Singular Subject + has + past participle

Present perfect tense for plural subject:

Sentence = Plural Subject + have + past participle

And it is like this EVERY SINGLE TIME.

3.       The Lazy Way Out. For us who despise memorization, what we do is this: use the word or sentence pattern consistently, correctly. Eventually you’ll memorize it.

Although memorization is important in the beginning of language training, remember that language is about use and so the best way to learn a language is through correct and consistent use. Memorization is a byproduct of effective practice.

Good luck!

You can also read here: http://www.jroozreview.com/types-of-ielts-exam/

How to Write an Informal Letter

The IELTS General Training Writing Examination has two tasks. Test takers must write one letter and one essay. Task 1, letter writing, has a requirement of at least 150 words. This must be written in just 20 minutes. Task 1 consist a third or 33.33% of the final Writing band score.

Most of the time, the test taker would be required to write a formal letter – this means business writing or corporate correspondence. In some cases, however, IELTS takers may need to write an informal or friendly letter. Here are some tips that you can apply for a well-written letter.

1.       Remember the use of the introduction, then weave in a little warmth. The introduction of a formal letter would usually answer two questions: who you are and what is your intention for writing. Since in a friendly letter you are writing to someone with whom you are familiar with, there is no need for the former, but you must still make your intentions known. In addition, since you are friendly with the recipient of the letter, it is a good idea to bring in warmth into the text. You can do this through several ways. You can, for instance, ask about a person’s health.

2.       Answer all the questions, provide adequate details, but do not overload the reader. In the IELTS GT writing examination task 1, there are usually three questions that must be answered in a narrative. Make sure to answer all the questions by providing details. This would help you fill the 150-requirement. Do not overdo it, though, as too much detail may make your letter dragging and may prevent you from answering the other main points sufficiently.

3.       Remember, however, that the real reader of your letter will not be a friend, so do not be overly friendly. When you chat with your friends (in the real world or in social media), you can probably use more explicit language like expletives and the like. Remember that this is an examination, and your friendly letter will actually be read by an examiner who will give you a score. Be careful of your word usage.

Writing a friendly letter for your IELTS GT Task 1 is a balancing act. You must make sure that your tome is friendly, but not overwhelming. You also must make sure that you answer all questions sufficiently and that the purpose of the letter is achieved.

Good luck!

How to Understand British Pronunciation

People say that one of the easier examinations in the International English Language Test System (IELTS) is the Listening subtest. This may be true, as the answers in all 40 questions of the test are found in the recordings. All a test taker needs to do is to listen to the recording and pick up the answer from there. Easy breezy. Despite this, many people still fail in the Listening test. The primary problem is the accent. Filipinos, in particular, are exposed to the American accent but are only somewhat familiar with British accent, which is commonly utilized in the IELTS.

In order to bridge this gap, here are some insights on the British accent that would help test takers understand what speakers are saying.

1.       In the British accent, the “r” is the middle or at the end of a word usually disappears. For instance, most  British would pronounce “mother” as “muhthuh” or “paper” as “peypah”.

2.       In the British accent, the “t” is pronounced with the tongue pressed against the back of the mouth instead of on the back of the teeth. This is why “better” is often heard as “be’uh”

3.       In the British accent, some words with the vowel a are pronounced with a broad a sound. In American English, for instance, the “a” is can’t is pronounced the same way as cat. In British pronunciation, however, “can’t” is pronounced the same way as the “a” in “father”.

The above-mentioned insights are some of the characteristics of the British accent. Even though it gives you an idea as to how the accent differs from American accent, which we are more used to, it is not enough. Here are a couple of tips to help you understand how British people speak.

1.       Watch movies and/or which make use of the British English accent. It does not matter whether it is Pride and Prejudice, the Harry Potter series, or Closer. What matters is that you expose yourself to the language, in a fun way.

2.       Get a British friend and talk and talk and talk. Nothing beats the real thing. Speaking with a certified Brit will not only make you familiar with the accent, it will also help you be familiar with the slang.

The British accent may be tough for many people, but only because it is not what most are used tp. The trick is to expose yourself to it, as much as you have exposed yourself to the American accent.

Good luck!

How to Prepare for your English Exam

English proficiency examinations such as the TOEFL and the IELTS are, more often than not, requirements, for those who wish to study, work, or migrate abroad. This is, of course, policy-dependent. Each institution – school or workplace – may have its own preference, whether to require English tests or not. But if you ARE required to sit an exam that will assess your ability to communicate in the language of the world, then here are some tips on how you can prepare for that test and get the highest possible grade you can.

1.       Know the specifics. Ask whoever is asking you to take the English test the following questions:

a.       Which English exam you will need to take. There are several, but the most popular are IELTS and TOEFL. If you are taking the IELTS, you must ask what module you will take. It is either the academic or general training module. This last bit is important, because if you take the wrong module, the test results may not be accepted.

b.      What is your score requirement is. The score requirement is the lowest possible score you can get but still qualify for the job/school/migration. This gives you an idea of what score you need to hit and transcend.

c.       When the results will be needed. Knowing when your results will be needed will allow you to determine how much time you have to prepare.

2.       Determine your readiness to take the exam. The best way to do this is to answer practice examinations. You can find stuff online, or take advantage of some review center’s free diagnostic examinations. The problem with these methods is that the writing and speaking skills are not assessed. That part will most likely cost you.

3.       Find a review center with a program that suits your needs. Prepping for the IELTS or TOEFL is no mean feat – not only do you have to be proficient in the language, you must also be familiar with the particular techniques for question types that are exclusive to those exams.

4.       Commit to prepare. Whether in a review center or on your own, it is important to have time to prepare. The major mistake of someone with a relatively acceptable background in English, like Filipinos, is to take for granted prepping for their English exam. Many fail because they are unprepared to take the exam. Commit to the preparation.

Good luck!

Read more here: http://www.jroozreview.com/types-of-ielts-exam/

How to write an IELTS letter

Taking the General Training module in the International English Language Test System means that your writing examination Task 1 would require that you write a letter. There are generally two kinds of letters in the IELTS – formal, which you write for people who you are not quite familiar with, and informal or friendly letter. In order to successfully complete your Task 1, you must write a minimum of 150 words for 20 minutes.

Here are other tips that you should consider when writing your IELTS GT Writing Task 1:

1.       Answer all of the questions in the task. Make sure that you answer all of the questions in Task 1. Usually, there are three (3). Be creative. Add details and be realistic with them. Make sure that if you are asked to narrate something that your story is logical and chronological. However, do not go overboard with details. Remember your time limit.

2.       Be simple but not simplistic. The examiners would appreciate a touch of sophistication. Sprinkle sophisticated words into your writing. Subtlety is important when emphasizing that you are good in English. Do not dump your entire lexical pool into it. Try and avoid redundancy as well. Even if you have to complete the 150-word requirement, remember that the lexical resource component of marking your test demands that you use words correctly and efficiently.

3.       Stick with formal writing style. Letters will mostly be formal, and this style should manifest in your writing. This means no abbreviations, contractions, and slang. Stay away from literary writing. It may be pretty, but it has no place in formal writing.

4.       Do the full-block style. This means that all of your sentences should be flushed to the left. This is the easiest format of writing formal letters so you can never go wrong with it.

5.       Write legibly, because if your handwriting is unreadable, then you either get marked down for it, or your examiner will just mark your exam without reading it. If your handwriting is difficult to understand, your perfect Grammar and flawless use of words shall have very little bearing to your exam results.

Since IELTS Writing Task 1 for GT is much easier than its Academic counterpart and it gives 33.33% of the total score in IELTS Writing Exam, having a well-written letter would contribute a great deal to getting the score you want.

Good luck. 

You may also read more here: http://www.jroozreview.com/ielts-essay-writing-tips/

Why Go Abroad

The main reason is this: a chance for a better life. Filipinos have often equated foreign countries to better economic standing, which would equate to better education, better way of life, and everything else that comes with monetary benefits. This is the primary reason why a lot of our countrymen have decided to find their destinies in foreign lands. Many of those who have a very strong sense of nationalism, however, would often say that this is not a good enough reason. Going abroad, though, has more than financial benefits.

Here are the less-talked about reasons as to why exploring another country is advantageous.

1.       It broadens one’s perspective. Exploring a different country with a totally different culture and imbibing their beliefs, customs, and traditions which coincide with your values helps you see the world in a better light. Having this experience gives you the knowledge of live outside what you are used to.

2.       It is an adventure. It is a new place, a new culture, a chance at establishing yourself in a place where you would have to do thing you have never done before. You will see people, places, and things you have never seen before. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand are so vastly different from the Philippines, and having the chance to explore these places is in itself a gift. Although many people say that surviving life in another country is a depressing challenge, it is still an adventure worth taking.

3.       It is a chance to give back to your country. Many Filipinos are offered scholarships to study in the best schools in many English-speaking countries. In some cases, everything is subsidized, as long as the said scholar would go back to his or her own mother country and serve there. Not only do these people have the opportunity to study in some of the best schools in the world, they also have the opportunity to give back to their country by bringing back the knowledge and skills they have earned.

4.       It is an opportunity to prove yourself. Life abroad demands independence and transcending the skills that you already have to keep up with the high standards that superiors would require. Taking the challenge means having to prove yourself more capable than you really are.

Indeed, being able to live in another country is a challenge but is a gift. It all depends on you if you will take this opportunity. 

You can also read more here: http://www.jroozreview.com/types-of-ielts-exam/

How to Enhance Your Comprehension Skills in the IELTS

The IELTS Listening and Reading examinations test English proficiency by requiring test-takers to derive answers from the given recording or text. Half of the time, these answers are quite obvious, as they are fact-based. Some questions in both the listening and reading exams, though, require comprehension – understanding what the speaker is saying or what the text is trying to convey.

Comprehension is a skill that is especially needed by those who need to get higher scores in the IELTS.

Here are several ways on how to improve your comprehension.

1.       Expand your lexical resource. Lexical resource refers to the range of your vocabulary, as well as the accuracy of usage of words. This is important because the most common reason why people are unable to understand what they are listening to or reading is their inability to understand the word used.

2.       Learn how to use context clues. Of course, it is very difficult to know every single word in the English language. Many people would opt to use context clues to derive the possible meaning of an unknown word. This means making use of the words around the unknown word to understand its meaning.

3.       Begin with the basics and expose yourself to different English accents. You will not be able to comprehend the context if you fail to comprehend the words, and usually the biggest hindrance to understanding the words used in spoken English is the accents. This is especially true for us non-native speakers of the language. Be sure to familiarize yourself with British, Australian, New Zealander, and American accents, as these are commonly used in the IELTS.

4.       Understand nuances of meaning. Understanding written language is a completely different challenge from understanding spoken language. Nuances in the spoken language can be determined through non-verbal communication – enunciation and stress, pitch, and volume. You can, for instance, determine whether the speaker is being sarcastic or truthful when he or she says, “you are beautiful”.  These things do not exist in written language. Thus, in order to determine the nuances of the message of written language, you must familiarize yourself with it as much as you can. You can do this by reading. Understanding nuances of meaning is important in comprehending the entire context of the message.

Comprehension is an important aspect of communication, not just in the IELTS but in real life as well. Working on bettering your understanding of the language is beneficial inside and outside the testing room.

Good luck!

How to Achieve a 30 in TOEFL Speaking

The Test of English as Foreign Language’s Speaking examination is the most challenging aspect of the TOEFL for many test-takers. The test consists of six tasks, each one unique in its skill demands. Furthermore, most of these tasks require test-takers to integrate listening and reading skills. Indeed, getting a great score in TOEFL Speaking is no mean feat, but it is not impossible.

Here are the top tips that will help you earn that perfect TOEFL Speaking Score.

1.       Organize, organize, organize. An organized speech is the mark of a great speaker. You are in luck, because if you are talking the TOEFL, there are actually specific patterns that you can follow that would immediately give structure to your speech.

2.       Connect ideas. The use of transition words to show logic and/chronology is quite important in the TOEFL, especially since in the test, you will mostly be enumerating premises which support your idea. Also, the use of words which show contradiction or complement of ideas is quite helpful in boosting your score.

3.       Work on your fluency. In the TOEFL, everything is timed, including the duration of your talk. Fluency refers to the ability to speak continuously. Because the test is timed, every pause and every filler will count against you. Practice fluency by doing practice examinations and by using English continuously even outside the classroom.

4.       Work within the time limit. As stated above, everything in the TOEFL is timed. In TOEFL Speaking in particular, the preparation time and the speaking time are specified. Make sure that you make the most out of the prep time by taking down notes effectively. For the speaking time, you must try and get in all the ideas you want to express within the given duration.

5.       Stay focused on the prize. Anxiety is the most dangerous enemy of any speaker. Here is the truth: no matter how seasoned a speaker is, there will always be that tinge of anxiety. Stage fright never goes away. The trick is to make sure you know that the performance is more important than the anxiety – that the TOEFL Speaking Score of 30 is much more important than your nerves. Beat the anxiety of speaking by practicing more and staying focus on the task.

The TOEFL Speaking Test is difficult – that is a given. But getting a score that is above and beyond what most people would need – a perfect 30 – is not impossible. All you need is the right preparation.

Good luck!

Why the TOEFL or the IELTS is a Requirement to Go Abroad

I have, in my career as a resource speaker for English proficiency exam orientations, been asked by many people who wish to study, work, and migrate abroad why exams such as the TOEFL and the IELTS exist in the first place. The easiest answer is this: it is a requirement.

But why is a test of English proficiency a requirement? Is it not enough that we, as Filipinos, have been using the English since childhood?

Apparently not. Here are some of the reasons why, despite using English for the longest time, it is still required that we take either the IELTS or the TOEFL.

1.       It is irrevocable proof that you can survive in an English-communicating environment. Regardless of the purpose of going abroad, those who will receive you there need to make sure that the transition for you (and for them) will be as smooth as possible. Assessing your ability to survive in an environment where English is the primary language of communication is important, because the more proficient you are, the better your chances of adapting to their country’s way of life.

2.       English proficiency level varies. Despite coming from the same country, your English communicating skills may significantly differ from others, especially since you are a non-native speaker of the language. This is because the training and the usage of one’s non-native language varies from person to person. Thus, a generalized assumptions regarding proficiency in the language is not a very reliable way of distinguishing the whether the communication skills of a person is adequate. This is why non-native communicators of English are required to take these assessment tests.

3.       It is a good way to up the points needed to be able to migrate. Exam results in the IELTS or the TOEFL do not only vouch for the communicating skills of the candidate, hey are also considered as criteria for points in migration. The higher your test score is, the higher the points you get. Thus there is higher probability that your application to be a migrant would be approved.

4.       Simply this: It is policy. Your future employer/ future school/migration consultant/ agency want hard core, tangible records of your English proficiency through a calibrated, international-standard assessment examination. Who are we to not comply?

English proficiency exams like the IELTS or TOEFL may seem like a waste of time and money for those applying to work, study, or migrate in English-speaking countries, but in truth, these exams do have their advantages.

The question, really, is not why it is a requirement. It would take huge effort to change the system so unless you are willing to go through the effort of changing policies, then you should refocus your efforts in answering the real question: How do I get the scores I need?

Good luck!

In Demand Skilled Works in New Zealand

To find employment in countries abroad has been popular among Filipinos in the past few years. Filipinos have wanted to have a job in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States and even in Australia where they can earn more money and maximize their skills in their chosen field of interest. Checking the job vacancies abroad, there are a lot of jobs available most especially in New Zealand.

Indeed, New Zealand is the newest job destination for Filipinos. Not only a country for vacation and leisure, New Zealand has also opened job opportunities to different skilled works that Filipinos can take advantage of. In fact, there are 11 key areas of work where skilled workers are definitely needed in New Zealand like healthcare, health technology, engineering, agriculture and forestry, construction and education. Below is a list of some in demand skilled works in New Zealand. Check these job vacancies and you might already be qualified for a great job in New Zealand.

1. Agriculture and Forestry
Known for its bountiful natural resources, New Zealand is in need of skilled workers in the field of agriculture and forestry. This includes beef cattle farmers, dairy cattle farmers (herd manager or assistant farm manager), poultry farmer, pig farmer and pig farmers.

2. Construction
Job offers under construction are building inspector, construction and project managers (foreman), and even surveying technicians.

3. Health and Social Services
The vacancies under health and social services cover biotechnologists, dental technician, dentists, and medical practitioners such as physicians, nurses, pediatricians, and even pharmacy technicians.

4. Oil and Gas
The job sounds pretty difficult and heavy but workers are well compensated. This includes safety surveyors, maintenance planners, and production managers.

5. Recreation, Hospitality and Tourism
These jobs are horse trainers, jockeys, and even café and restaurant managers.
For a complete list of the job offerings New Zealand has, check the following links http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/063ECB35-F5D5-44D8-8325-7041A727A9D5/0/INZ109311February2013.pdf and http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/89185A40-27D3-41F4-84BE-30129920411D/0/ISSL.pdf.
If you are offered a job under these skills with your experience and qualifications matched, then you will not have any problems processing your working visa. Moreover, applicants can search other jobs online that would best fit their qualifications. Just be sure that they are recognized by POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. Additionally, in any job application, an English proficiency examination certificate is required. Hence, it is best to take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) to prove one’s fluency in the English language and be globally competitive.

Australia Visa Requirements for Foreign Students

Australia is one of the homes of prestigious universities and colleges in the world. Because of this, foreign students, including Filipinos, are encouraged and persuaded to further their studies in Australia. It is a fact that getting a visa for Australia takes quite some time and some money. It would take some time as applicants seek to acquire all the requirements and money for the fees that go along with it. Hence, it is something that applicants should really plan and prepare for months before the school year starts in Australia.

To help applicants have a checklist of their visa requirements. Below are the things that they need to have on their checklists in applying for an Australian student visa.

1. Visa application form
Before you start filling out the application form for student visas, be sure what kind of program you will be studying in the country. Applicants are assessed according to their student visa type. The following are list of students visas available in the country: Independent ELICOS (Subclass 570), Schools (Subclass 571), Vocational Education and Training (Subclass 572), Higher Education (Subclass 573), Postgraduate Research (Subclass 574), Non-award (Subclass 575), AusAID or Defence (Subclass 576).
2. Visa application fee
Applicants need to pay the processing of their visa applications. Applicants can visit https://www.immi.gov.au/fees-charges/visa-application-charges.htm to know more on the different fees.
3. Lodgment/Courier Fee
4. 4 passport size photographs
5. Valid passport
6. Confirmation of Enrollment
The CoE is really important as the visa application relies on this. What the candidate needs to do is to find a school or academic institution to enroll. Once the person pays all the fees in that school, the academic institution will be sending the Confirmation of Enrollment which is a requirement in filling out the visa application form.
7. Certificate of English Proficiency Examination
An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) certificate is an important requirement as it proves one’s fluency in the usage of the English language. Because of this requirement, there is a growing number of Filipinos who start reviewing for the IELTS in the Philippines.
8. Academic transcripts
9. Evidence of financial ability
This will prove that the individual will be able to survive in Australia financially. This includes tuition and cost of living expenses.
10. Evidence of sufficient income

For applicants, the best thing to do is to acquire the Confirmation of Enrollment from the school they are enrolling and get the require IELTS score of this academic institution.

Study in Australia - Tips and Discussion of the Needed Requirements to Get Student Visas

Australia is one of the many countries that is visited by different nationalities due to its beauty and nature. Apart from its breathtaking scenery and wonderful tourist spots, Australia is a home to many prestigious and world-class universities and colleges that offer education at its finest. With this opportunity, Filipino students are eager to experience studying in Australia and undergo training and lessons from seasoned professors. Like any other universities like here in the Philippines, there are certain requirements and information that students should be aware of. Remember that any international students enrolled in a course lasting four months and more in Australia should need a student visa. Here are some essential details regarding student visas in Australia.

• What type of visa is needed?
For Filipinos who are applying for an undergraduate program or a bachelor’s degree, they need to apply for a subclass 573 student visa. For those who are planning for a postgraduate programmes by research, they will need a subclass 574 visa.

• When can application start?
One of the most important requirements students should obtain is a Confirmation of Enrollment or CoE from their chosen university. This CoE is a certificate from the school the students are attending. Students can only get this the students should receive a formal offer from the university, an acceptance in writing and the students should be able to pay the tuition in that university or college.

• How much and how long is the application?
The visa application costs about AUD535 or about PHP22,000 which should be paid upon submission of the application. The visa application can take about a month to be processed.

These are three important items students must remember when applying for a student visa. Moreover, students should also know that an English proficiency examination is needed. In the Philippines, students applying in Australia choose the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination. The IELTS is accepted in all universities and colleges in Australia. However, knowing that this examination is not something students should feel complacent, students choose to study with IELTS review centers.

In IELTS review centers, students or trainees are given special programs on how to excel in the IELTS examination. Coaches and mentors hone their students and develop their English skills that will help them get a good score that is enough for their visa application. Reviewing in an IELTS review center provides benefits students can take advantage of making them more ready and prepared to take the IELTS examination.

Why is the IELTS NEEDED?

There are many English language proficiency examination available in the market – the TOEFL, TOEIC, PTE Academic, and the IELTS. Academic institutions, consultancy agency for migration, and work places in English-communicating countries require non-native speakers to take these exams to determine their readiness to survive the communication demands. Some of these people would ask for the International English Language Test System (IELTS). There are certain characteristics of the IELTS that make the IELTS preferred language proficiency test of many institutions.

Here are some of the reasons why the IELTS is needed.

1.       It recognizes the different cultures of English. Many English proficiency exams only focus on American English, but if the candidate wishes to go to the United Kingdom or to Australia, their English language is vastly different from Americans’. The IELTS provides a more precise assessment of the candidate’s ability to survive in countries apart from the US because it integrates the varying characteristics of other countries’ language, such as accent. The IELTS integrates English of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, other European countries and even Asia.

2.       It gives test-takers the option most suited to their needs. Communication needs differ. A student in a university, for instance, would have a different communication requirement than a migrant who simply wishes to live his or her life abroad or a blue-collar job worker, such as a butcher or a welder. The modules of the IELTS provide options for assessing these varying needs – the academic and general training module of the test. Other English language tests do not.

3.       It determines the test-taker’s ability to derive information from spoken or written language. The format of the IELTS test is designed to challenge test takers to gather information for conversations, lectures, and reading materials.

4.       It beefs up the score needed for migration. The IELTS is a requirement of many embassies to assess a person’s suitability for migration. This is what the General Training module is for – survival English. The IELTS is required by many consultation agencies to up the score of the candidates for migration. This would give them a higher possibility of being admitted as migrants.

Indeed, the IELTS is an essential part of determining one’s ability to survive in countries which has English as a primary language. Although the IELTS is challenging, if you prepare well you are sure to succeed.

Good luck!