Simple English for IELTS, TOEFL, NPTE, PT

The nursing profession is very popular here in the Philippines. Its popularity is evident as the number of enrolees in nursing schools here in the Philippines has been increasing for the past few years. Many students have been taking the nursing course because of the demand for Filipino nurses in the United States of America.

In planning to work abroad, specifically in the US, it is best for candidates to gain experience here in the Philippines prior to working outside the country. Health institutes and hospitals abroad look for nurses with experience prior to employing them. Aside from the work experience, one requirement that these hospitals and health care institute particularly need is a certification from an English proficiency examination. Nurses can choose between the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

How are these two different?

The TOEFL is a computer-based examination that focuses on academic content. It has four language skills – the reading, listening, speaking and writing. The test runs for about four hours with a ten-minute mandatory break between the first set of exam (reading and listening) and the second set of exam (speaking and writing). The highest score one can get from the TOEFL examination is 120 with a perfect score of 30 in the four language skills.

The IELTS is a paper-based examination that has a broader scope of topics. It also uses the four core skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing. Most of the time, the speaking test is completed a couple of days before the writing exams. The speaking test runs for about ten to fifteen minutes and the writing exams runs for about three hours. The IELTS examination is divided into two types – the Academic and the General Training module. Academic Module is taken by individuals planning to study and work abroad like nurses. General training is often taken by individuals who wish to migrate or study a course less than six months. Scores in the IELTS are in bands from 0 -9.

Which of these tests are more applicable to nurses for US?

Both are recognized English proficiency tests and both provide accurate and comprehensive examinations. For Filipino nurses, the best thing to do is to check the state where they are applying. Some states require the TOEFL; whilst some need the IELTS or even accept both. The safest way is to check the state’s requirements or even ask a consulting firm regarding this issue. 

 

Are you having problems listening to English conversations? Have you experienced misunderstanding words that you end up confused?

There are some people who really find listening to English conversations a little difficult, most especially if the speakers are using Australian accent or British Accent. American accent is somehow far better to understand than the two accents mentioned earlier. In addition, there are times that individuals feel a little awkward and sometimes even feel nervous when asked to listen to English conversations. Furthermore, if you are an individual taking the International English Language Testing System examination or the IELTS exam, you had better develop and sharpen your listening skill for it is surely to be tested and evaluated in the examination. Having this said, what are some effective techniques for the listening section of the IELTS examination?

•    Familiarity with words spoken in Australian or British accent.

In the listening section, you are sometimes asked to fill in the blanks regarding information found in the conversation or audio recording. Certain words are pronounced quiet differently in the accents mentioned compared to American English. Another thing that you have to be familiar with is the words and expressions that are used. For example, the word “apartment” is “flat” in Australian or British vocabulary. Expanding vocabulary in the accents used will bring advantage to you.

•    Following instructions carefully.

Let’s say you are good at listening but you always overlook the instructions in each section. Still, you will get a low score on your listening. There are a lot of candidates who are very careless that they skip the instruction as they already feel accustomed to the test type. Always remember that if the instructions asked you to write no more than three words, then you have to write a maximum of three words. If you are asked to circle three answers, then follow it. Failure to do such will cause loss of points to your listening score.

•    Stay focused on the audio recording.

Once you are going to answer another item. Skip over it and take note of the key words that you have to find in the audio recording. Once the audio is played, focus. Do not let your mind wander but stay on track with the audio recording. The more you are focused, the easier for you to get the details that you need for the questions.

There are still lots of techniques one can acquire for the listening exam of the IELTS. It is suggested for an individual to enrol in an IELTS review center to take advantage of these skills and be prepared for the real IELTS examination.

It is a constant reminder to anyone who is taking any English competency examination to have a good background in grammar. Grammar is the basic foundation one must have to be able to speak and write in English. There are eight parts of speech in English namely; nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, interjections and the considered one of the most difficult because of its varied rules in grammar – prepositions.

What are prepositions?

Prepositions are words that link a word or a phrase to a part of the sentence. It is entirely different from a conjunction as a conjunction connects two grammatically alike sentences. Meaning to say, conjunctions connect a word to a word, a phrase to a phrase and a clause to another clause.

Prepositions are used in grammar very often. Hence, it is important for us to know the rules on the basic and most commonly used prepositions – in, on, and at.

Prepositions In, On, At as Time prepositions

 

"in" can be used with the following:

•    parts of the day

I was here in the morning.

I have set a meeting with Mr. Bo in the evening.

In the afternoon, the children take a nap in the living room.

•    months, years, seasons
 

The Kims are going back to Korea in December.
In 1985, my younger brother was born.
My parents usually hire a cabin in the woods in spring.
 

"on" can be used with:
 

•    days and dates
 

The president is said to have a meeting with his cabinet members on Tuesday.
Philippines got its independence from the Spaniards on June 12.
 

•    special days

On Christmas, we always go to the ski resort.
There is a big feast in my aunts on Independence Day.
 

"at" can be used with:
 

•    specific time of the day
 

I usually get up at 8 o’clock in the morning. How about you?
Class starts at 7.20 am.
 

•    the following expressions: at night, at midnight, at noon, at sunrise, at sunset, at the moment
 

I can hear wolves howling at night by the cliff.
Do you eat lunch at noon?
 

Prepositions In, On, At as Place prepositions

The preposition in is used to describe an object or a person within the area of something or within the confines of something.

Examples:

    The children are busily doing an experiment in the laboratory.
    Davao City is in Mindanao.
    What is in your bag?

The preposition on is used to describe that something is on or against another surface of something.

Examples:

    The books that I bought are placed on the table.
    The cat is sleeping on the sofa.
    A huge wall clock is placed on the wall.
 

Finally, the preposition at is used when writing a complete address.

Examples:
    I live at 34 St. Coral Avenue, Toril, Davao City.
    Her favorite flower shop is at 1423 Main Street.
 

In addition, you can also use at to show a specific point or location.

Examples:

    Rhea is working at her desk.
    I work at a bank.
    I saw her standing at the entrance of the building.

Being familiar with the basic usage of these prepositions is essential in writing and in speaking. Practice more on these and remember the rules very well.

Do you feel apprehensive when you are asked to speak in front of someone? Have you experienced having a conversation to a native English speaker? Well, you will have to experience both when you are about to take the IELTS Speaking test.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination has been very popular among individuals who are preparing their requirements in working, studying or migrating overseas. Certain countries have made the IELTS as one of their requirements to ensure the competency of an individual in terms of being competitive and ability to communicate in an English-speaking country.

It is known to any IELTS candidate that there are two kinds of IELTS test depending on the purpose of the examinee – the Academic and the General Training. Because speaking in English is very important to communicate, the speaking examination assesses the individual’s capability to handle conversations and situations in the English languages. In the General Training assessment, here are some common topics interviewers ask the examinees.

For Task 1, the examiner can ask questions about your family, work, education, and hometown.

•    Describe your family. Do you have a large or small family?
•    What  do you do at work? What are your certain responsibilities? Describe the company or the organization you are working for.
•    What was your course in the university? What is the education system like in your country?
•    What are the industries to be found in your hometown? Is there any advantage or disadvantage living in your hometown?

For the second task, you might be given questions regarding people, events, and places.
•    Describe a childhood memory you have.
1.    When did it happen?
2.    Who was with you?
3.    How did you feel that time.

Explain why you remember this particular memory.
•    Describe a lake, a river or a sea you have visited.
1.    Where is the lake?
2.    How often you have visited it?
3.    What activities do you do there?
Explain why you like this particular place.


For the third task, questions are connected with the topic in the second task.
•    What types of leisure activities are popular in your country?
•    Why it is important for people to have time for leisure activities?
•    Do you think state or private television is better?
•    What effects can watching television have on children?

If you are not that confident with your speaking skills, then it is best to enrol in an IELTS training center. They will help you learn more strategies that will make your speaking skills the best for the IELTS examination.