Showing posts with label ielts exam. Show all posts
Tried and Tested IELTS Exam Tips - Listening, Writing, Reading, Speaking from an IELTS Reviewer
Useful Apps for IELTS Teachers
Are you planning to teach a friend who needs help building their skills for the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination?
Teaching IELTS can be pretty difficult if you do not have the right materials to use for the class. IELTS mentors have undergone training and classes to hone their English skills and their knowledge for the examination format itself. Additionally, most of them have already taken the test making them authorities in teaching the IELTS. Though they are already professionals in the IELTS, these mentors are also guided by books, manuals, and even apps for the IELTS. Here are some apps these coaches use in their training for the IELTS.
1. IELTS Word Power
http://www.britishcouncil.org/spain/en/ielts-word-power
Teaching IELTS can be pretty difficult if you do not have the right materials to use for the class. IELTS mentors have undergone training and classes to hone their English skills and their knowledge for the examination format itself. Additionally, most of them have already taken the test making them authorities in teaching the IELTS. Though they are already professionals in the IELTS, these mentors are also guided by books, manuals, and even apps for the IELTS. Here are some apps these coaches use in their training for the IELTS.
1. IELTS Word Power
http://www.britishcouncil.org/spain/en/ielts-word-power
Aren’t you surprised why these mentors have the best and the widest vocabulary while teaching? This app helps mentors in knowing and understanding words that are best to be used in the IELTS. Having wide vocabulary is a great advantage for the IELTS examination.
2. IELTS Skills
http://www.appannie.com/apps/ios/app/ielts-skills-free/
With all four sections of the IELTS in a single app, no one can go wrong downloading this app. Practice tests and interactive tasks are conveniently added in this feature. Each skill has explanations that mentors can practice and exercises that comprehensively test their skills for the IELTS.
3. IELTS Speaking Practice
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dmc.iespeaking2&hl=en
With over 300 questions, coaches are always prepared to conduct speaking tests with their enrolees. The variety of topics makes this app perfect for honing skills and developing better answers for the IELTS speaking examination.
4. Practice English Grammar 2
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/practice-english-grammar-2/id490759167
Problems with grammar? This app will sort things out with queries on grammar. It has practically discussions and exercises on verb tenses which are a problem to most candidates. Provided with examples and sample tests, this app is one you should have on your smart phones and tablets.
5. Merriam-Webster Dictionary
https://itunes.apple.com/ph/app/id399452287?mt=8
Be more familiar with words and jargons in the reading texts with this handy dictionary. It provides easy to understand definition of words and sample sentences. Moreover, if connected to the internet, one checks the pronunciation of a certain vocabulary word.
These apps are very helpful to teachers teaching the IELTS. However, not only teachers can use this but also the students reviewing for the IELTS. Having them on your smart phones is the best way to review for the IELTS examination especially when you are always on the go.
IELTS and TOEFL – Which is More Applicable for Filipino Nurses in the US?
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.
