Complete List of Address and Contact Information of British Council Offices in the Philippines

Since it became a top requirement for employment and academic purposes, the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination has gained its popularity to Filipinos for many years now. As one of the many nationalities who speak English as their second language, taking the IELTS gives the advantage to any candidate as they become competitive and world-class.

Many years ago, taking the IELTS was a challenge for Filipinos. People from the provinces needed to go to Manila to take the examination and even take review classes. It was a hassle for any participant of the examination. However, today, taking the IELTS in different provinces and cities in the country has provided more opportunities for Filipinos to take the examination.

It is known that there are two agencies that deliver the IELTS examination; one of them is the British Council. The main office of British Council is conveniently located on the 10th floor Taipan Place, F. Ortigas Jr Road in Pasig City. The office is open from Mondays to Saturdays from 9 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon. Interested parties may call at (02) 555-3000 or (02) 555-3080. The IELTS exam delivered by British Council is available in test centers located in Manila, Bacolod, Cagayan de ORO, Pampanga, Tagum, Cebu, Davao, Leyte, and Naga. Each city mentioned has a lot of review centers where candidates can take training for the IELTS examination.

Recently in Cebu City, the British Council has launched the first IELTS Resource Center in partnership with SME Networks Philippines Incorporated. This center is a mini library that serves as a hub for individuals registered in British Council. It has a wide variety of reading materials and DVDs that candidates can take advantage of. This library will be a good place for individuals to study and prepare more for the IELTS examination. With the availability of other resources, candidates under British Council will enjoy learning and reviewing for the IELTS examination. The center is open from 9am to 4pm, Mondays to Saturdays.

It is always a good decision to enrol in IELTS review centers as part of preparation for the IELTS examination. Reviewing alone is possible, yet IELTS review centers have effective course programs that conveniently organize topics together with the right techniques and strategies to ace the IELTS examination.  Moreover, IELTS review centers offer places where candidates can interact with their fellow reviewers to have brainstorming and sharing of ideas regarding the IELTS questions.

Get more IELTS tips here: http://www.ieltsexamstips.com/

Typing Speed and the TOEFL Exam

There are a lot of English proficiency examinations available from different English test providers in the world today. One of these is the Test of English as a Foreign Language taken by different Filipino professionals and students worldwide. Professionals need the TOEFL as a requirement for applications in different companies and industries around the world. Additionally, students take the TOEFL as a prerequisite in attending exchange student programs in different countries in the world. This makes the TOEFL exam a sought after examination among English proficiency examinations.

The TOEFL examination is divided into four different sections. These four sections are namely: reading, listening, speaking and writing. These four sections are specially designed to gauge the candidate’s know-how in using English. There are certain candidates who are asking whether candidates need to type fast on the examination, specifically in writing section. Let’s discuss if one’s typing speed is relevant in the TOEFL examination.

The writing examination of the TOEFL is divided into two parts: the integrated and independent writing. In the integrated writing, candidates have to write their responses based on a reading passage and a recorded lecture. The second task requires the candidate to come up with an essay based on a statement given. Furthermore, the integrated task should be completed in twenty minutes and the independent task in thirty minutes.

As a candidate, typing speed can be an advantage; however, it is not really necessary to be a fast typist. The advantage of having a good typing speed is you can finish writing your essay before your time runs out. Moreover, having more time to think as soon as you finish writing gives you an advantage to edit you essay. Revising your essay is good for you to eliminate irrelevant information, check grammar and add better details that will make your essay stronger and better.

How can one practice their typing speed?
Typing speed can be learned, but you should be careful with committing spelling errors while typing. To practice your typing speed, you can try http://www.typeonline.co.uk/typingspeed.php and http://www.typingtest.com/ to test your typing ability skills. Moreover, you will be able to know how many words you can type in a minute.

Practicing your typing skills is an advantage, but it is not totally necessary. The most important thing is the content in your essay. The answer to the question, the comprehensibility and the usage of grammar and vocabulary are still much more important.

Read more toefl tips here: http://toeflreview.blogspot.com/

How to Write the Best Essay for the IELTS

Have you had a hard time writing an effective essay? Is composing essays a difficult task to do?
Writing is not everybody’s forte. Coming up with the right and strong ideas for an essay takes a lot of practice and training. Most importantly, writing essays in the writing section of the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination must be done with appropriateness and relevance. For this reason, many candidates for the IELTS test – working individuals or students – allot time to join in IELTS review classes. This preparation is needed to learn skills and strategies for the test most especially in the writing section.
The writing section in the Academic and General Training differs on their first task. On the Academic writing, the first task requires the candidate to write an essay interpreting a given data like charts, graphs or a process diagram. On the other hand, the General Training asks the candidate to compose a letter based on a given situation. Their task 2 questions are quite the same as candidates showcase their opinions on a given statement. However, the question all candidates ask to coaches in IELTS review centers is – how can we write the best essay for the IELTS? Here are some tips on how to make your compositions the best for the writing test.
It is always important to know the three important parts of an essay – the introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction contains a paraphrase of the idea of the task you are going to write. The body should be at least two paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a point or reason supported by details and examples. The conclusion is a paraphrase of the introduction or the summary of the all the ideas presented in the essay.
Showcase good vocabulary. Remember that in any writing piece, it is being rated with how well the writer uses vocabulary. Do not overuse the same words over and over again in the essay. Instead, use expressions like idioms to better explain or describe an idea you want to express. However, make sure that you are using these words correctly or your essay will end up confusing.
Avoid using abbreviations or short forms of words. For example, instead of using the word “can’t”, use “cannot.”
Keep track on the flow of your essay. There are times that candidates overwrite his or her ideas. As a result, the content does not have a smooth flow. It is better to outline the ideas first prior to writing the whole essay.
Practice makes perfect; hence, coaches in IELTS review centers keep on giving writing practices to their candidates. With constant exposure to different writing questions, candidates will become more comfortable and familiar with writing essays.

You may also refer here: http://www.ieltsexamstips.com/

Where to find British Council in the Philippines

Every candidate of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is somehow familiar with the two agencies that deliver the IELTS examination – the British Council and the IDP. Some might be asking what difference this two agencies have. In truth, there is no much difference between the two. If there is any difference at all, that would be their exam fee as the British Council is a few pesos more expensive than the IDP. If you are someone taking the IELTS examination, it is best to know what the British Council is.

The British Council in the Philippines was established in 1980. The British Council works in the areas of Arts, Education, English, Examinations and Society. This organization offers a range of educational and professional examinations to match the needs of everyone. For the purpose of international mobility, the IELTS has been taken by thousands of Filipinos every year.

If you are an individual planning to live, study and work abroad, you need to take the IELTS. In Manila, the British Council administers the exam at least thrice a month. British Council Philippines also administers the test in Bacolod, Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Leyte and Pampanga. In Manila, British Council Philippines Office is located at 10th floor Taipan Place, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Pasig City. They are open from Mondays to Saturdays from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.

If you are planning to register for the IELTS through British Council, there are four different ways to do this. Registration for the IELTS can be done through:

Visiting their office
Send it through carrier
Course it through their registration agents like the JRooz Review Center
Use their IELTS Online Registration and Payment System

In registering for the IELTS examination under British Council, you have to know what type of test you need to take. There are two different test modules available in the IELTS – the Academic and the General Training modules. Candidates taking the Academic module are those individuals wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduates levels and for those seeking professional registration. The General Training is for those who want to migrate in an English speaking country like Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada. Moreover, candidates who will be studying in a 6-month study course or less should take the General Training module.

To know more about British Council, feel free to visit any IELTS review centers. These centers not only give information regarding the examination but also offer review and course training for the IELTS examination.


Read more IELTS tips here: http://www.ieltsexamstips.com/

What are the Best IELTS Reading Materials?

Are you fond of reading? Do you think your reading skills are good enough for an English competency examination?

Reading is one section of the International English Language Testing System that has been considered tedious by a lot of candidates. The IELTS examination uses the reading section to gauge how good a candidate is in understanding reading passages and different vocabulary in English. The reading section of the IELTS have a little difference it the candidate is taking the Academic or the General Training Modules of the test. It is known to all the Academic reading passages are far more complicated than of those in the General Training. However, whether one is harder than the other, it is best for candidates to practice reading through different reading materials. Here are some reading materials that candidates can practice on.

1. Newspapers
Newspapers have very good articles. First of all, the style of writing in newspapers is very direct and uses good vocabulary in conveying the articles. Additionally, the sentence structure is a good practice not only for reading but for the writing section as well. Topics in newspapers vary from lifestyle, sports, classified ads, and even serious news like the ones on headlines.

2. Magazines
Whether it is a lifestyle or a home type of magazines, vocabulary in these articles are very essential. It is also more interesting to read articles with pictures. Most people find reading novels boring for it do not bear any drawings. People get more interested in visual representations of their readings; hence, magazines are very popular to many due to its glossy paper and entertaining photographs.

3. Academic Books
Candidates do not need to understand the technicalities of these academic subjects. They only need to understand the gist of the topic. Candidates can read science, sociology, and even psychology books for starters. The important thing here is to understand the context of the articles.

4. Journals
Libraries have different journals written by different people in different genre. It is good to practice reading these journals and understanding the whole text and the vocabulary used with it.

Practicing reading with these reading materials help candidates develop the love for reading. In addition, they will build the strategy in reading passages in limited time, the use of context clues, and the attitude of making reading an interesting activity.

In IELTS review centers, reading exercises are given for candidates to develop the focus and concentration they need for the IELTS reading examination.

Read more IELTS tips here: http://www.ieltsexamstips.com/

Idioms in the IELTS - Should Test Takers Use it or Not?

Speaking and Writing in English are two things most people are worried about. Speaking in the English language in front of somebody can cause tension and anxiety. Furthermore, choosing the right words to express yourself in English also poses a possible reason for stress in speaking. In addition, writing in the English language can be a huge task as thinking of great ideas to write and details to make essays better might complicate things.

In the International English Language Testing System (IELTS examination), these two sections require practice and training for future test takers. This is the very reason why many candidates prefer enrolling in an IELTS review center. IELTS review centers are known to give training on speaking and writing as candidates give priority to these sections. During trainings, candidates usually ask coaches whether using idioms on the examination is a good thing or not.

First, in the speaking section, the usage of idioms is acceptable. It makes the response sound better and intelligent.  What the candidates need to be careful with is the difference of some idioms used in the American English and British English. In the writing, idioms should not be used in the first task of the Academic writing. Data or Charts are to be interpreted; hence, candidates should be able to describe it as accurately as possible. For the other tasks, the usage of idioms can be employed. However, it is best to use idioms that are easier to understand and somehow common. Here are some idioms that candidates can use:

a piece of cake
This expression means that something is easy to do or take

For example:
The task given by the teacher was such a piece of cake.

worlds apart
It means that two things are completely different

For example:
My roommate and I seem to have a friendly disposition, but in reality, we are world apart.

Lend a hand
This idiom shows that somebody is giving help to somebody

For example:
The community is planning to lend a hand to those victims of the recent tragedy in our village.

There are a lot of common idioms in the English language; however, knowing which one is appropriate and will show accuracy in your sentences should be taken into consideration. If you are quite unsure with the idiom you are about to use, try expressing it using a different word to avoid committing mistakes.

In IELTS review centers, different writing and speaking activities are given to candidates. These include the usage of idioms on the right sentences and descriptions.

Get more IELTS tips here: http://www.ieltsexamstips.com/

IELTS Philippines Test Dates 2014 - British Council and IDP

Getting prepared for the IELTS examination?

The Philippines is one of the countries that have the highest number of IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination test takers. Known to use English as its second language, others may think that taking the IELTS for Filipinos may be an easy thing to do. Some may consider it a piece of cake; however, it is best for Filipinos to undergo training and be more skilled in taking the IELTS examination.

The IELTS test aims to give individuals a certification indicating their fluency or level on English skills in score bands of 0 to 9.0. The IELTS test measures these skills through the four language areas namely speaking, listening, reading and writing. Furthermore, each language area tests different skills that are absolutely important not only for the test but once you are already in an English speaking environment such as working or studying overseas. This is the exact reason why the IELTS has been a requirement for both employment and education purposes overseas.

If you are registering for the IELTS examination, it is common that you will be asked whether you are registering for the IDP or the British Council. Don’t worry. These two are the two authorized agencies that provide the IELTS examination. You might be wondering what the difference is between the two. Actually, there is no significant difference between the two except for their registration fees. The British Council charges Php 8986 pesos while the IDP costs Php 8900. In addition, you will be asked if you are taking the Academic of General Training Modules. Refer to the institution you are applying on which tests they are requiring.  In registering for an exam date, be sure to file your applications before their deadlines. Here is a list of test schedules under British Council for the year 2004.

Date
Type of Test
Location
Deadline of Application




9-Jan
Academic and General Training
Manila/CDO/Iloilo/Naga
20-Dec-13
18-Jan
Academic and General Training
Manila/Baguio/Cebu/Davao
4-Jan
25-Jan
Academic
Manila/Cebu
 January 11




1-Feb
Academic and General Training
Manila/Bacolod/CDO/Pampanga/Tagum
15-Jan
15-Feb
Academic and General Training
Manila/Baguio/Cebu/Davao
1-Feb
22-Feb
Academic and General Training
Manila/Cebu
8-Feb




1-Mar
Academic
Manila/Cebu
15-Feb
8-Mar
Academic and General Training
Manila/CDO/Iloilo/Leyte/Naga
22-Feb
15-Mar
Academic and General Training
Manila/Cebu/Baguio/Davao
1-Mar




5-Apr
Academic and General Training
Manila/Baguio/CDO/Pampanga/Tagum
22-Mar
12-Apr
Academic
Manila/Cebu
29-Mar
24-Apr
Academic and General Training
Manila/Cebu/Baguio/Davao
1-Apr


Source: http://www.britishcouncil.org/philippines-exam-ielts-test-dates.htm

How can this knowledge on the test dates become beneficial to a candidate?

For starters, IELTS training should be given a lot of time for preparation. The amount of time one needs in reviewing for the IELTS should at least be a couple of months before the exam schedule. There are a lot of things to know and techniques and strategies to be mastered to have better and more appropriate responses for the examination. With the guidance of the coaches all through the course, one is sure to get the target score they need for their IELTS test



Where to Review for the IELTS for Free

Let’s face it; it takes a lot of money to take review classes especially on an English competency exam like the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination. Most candidates for the IELTS are hesitant to enrol in IELTS review centers for they are already paying a lot of money for the registration of the test; hence, another expense such as a review will already be a burden for them. As a result of this, most candidates rely on online materials found on the internet or buy reviewers from bookstores. Yes, these are helpful but are these reviewers going to answer you when you are confused on a question? Will they provide a detailed explanation? Will they teach you strategies and techniques in answering the test? Well, NO!

The best training for the IELTS can be found within the four corners of an IELTS review center. It is indeed true that review centers can be a little pricey; however, it is best to invest your money on them as they guarantee the target score that you need in the IELTS. But, what if there is an IELTS review center that gives away free IELTS training?

Free IELTS review? That sounds crazy, but JRooz Review Center gives away IELTS scholarships  for lucky candidates. All candidates need to do is attend their Study Abroad Seminar schedules posted on their website at www.jroozreview.com. In this seminar, candidates get the chance to have a talk with experts regarding on student visa requirements and other visa applications overseas. Additionally, there is a free IELTS orientation to inform the candidates about the IELTS and the benefits they will be getting once they take the examination. And the best part in this seminar is the IELTS scholarship given by JRooz. Names will be drawn and these lucky candidates will experience high quality training, the best modules for IELTS, and the coaching that he or she needs for the exam – at no charge.

Interested candidates are requested to register in advance for the seminar. This offer is something candidates should take advantage of. Getting training and materials for free from JRooz Review Center is a sure ticket to your target score.

With the JRooz scholarship program, candidates are given the chance to develop their skills for the IELTS and be prepared for the real examination. Join the Study Abroad Seminar and who knows, you might be the next scholar JRooz is waiting for. Contact JRooz now.

Get your IELTS tips here: http://www.ieltsexamstips.com/

NPTE Scores - Did You Make or Fail it?

Is my score good enough to pass the exam?

The NPTE or the National Physical Therapist Examination is a gateway to a brighter future for Filipino physical therapists. As one acquires a license from this examination, more advantages and opportunities are to be available on its candidates. A license on the NPTE is required in different states before a Filipino physical therapist can practice their profession. Here in the Philippines, more and more physical therapists are taking review classes on NPTE and at the same time, preparing their requirements for the said examination.

The NPTE is divided into two different kinds: physical therapist and physical therapist assistant exams. It is a computer-based examination. The PT licensure exam has five sections containing fifty different questions. However, the PTA licensure test is composed of four different sections with a total of two hundred multiple choice questions. The NPTE is scored from 200 to 800 – 200 as the lowest one can get and 800 as the highest. The minimum passing score of 600 is set on both PT and PTA exams. However, it is best for candidates to double check on the passing score set by the institutions they have applied for. Candidates should always think that they have to meet all the eligibility requirement the state requires before their application can be processed and approved.

 How is the NPTE scored?

The NPTE scale score is an arithmetic conversion of raw scores (the number of questions a candidate answers correctly) to a scale that ranges from 200 to 800. The reason for converting the raw scores to scaled scores is that the exam is most of the time revised basing on the level of difficulty. To ensure that scores on different forms of examination have the same meaning, raw scores are to be converted to scaled scores that represent equivalent levels of achievement regardless of the examination form taken. The passing score of the said examination is said to be 600. If a candidate gets 600 or higher, he or she passed. Any score below 600 is considered failing score.

The examination results are to be released about 10 business days after the examination date. This free score reports can be viewed on the website pt.fsbt.net. The scores can be viewed for a month. After a month, the report may be acquired by paying a standard fee for an Individual Score Report.

For more information on the NPTE scoring system and other information regarding the examination, please visit http://www.fsbpt.org/Portals/0/documents/free-resources/CandidateHandbook20131028.pdf.

Get more NPTE tips here: http://nptephilippines.wordpress.com/