Three English tests added for Aus student visa applicants

Australia has announced to add three alternative English language proficiency tests for student visa applicants, providing candidates with greater choice.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen has announced the US-based TOEFL and two other English language competency tests, apart from the existing International English Language Testing System, will be expanded for use by applicants from all countries.

Apart from Test of English as a Foreign Language, Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) and Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) from Cambridge ESOL will shortly be added to the IELTS for student visa purposes as specified in the Migration Regulations 1994, the department said in a statement.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said it was anticipated that these new tests will be accepted for student visa applications later this year.

In Australia, currently, students from key markets, such as India, had to furnish an IELTS score as proof of English proficiency to qualify for a student visa. Globally, IELTS is owned by Cambridge University, IDP and the British Council.

"We have given careful consideration when selecting these three English language test providers to ensure that high standards of integrity are maintained and that test score results are appropriately safeguarded," Bowen said.

"The integrity of English language testing is important because the language test results are a key component in visa application requirements.

"These additional English language test options will help to create competition in the English language testing market, while creating more test places for student visa applicants. They will also provide candidates with greater choice and enable them to more quickly obtain test results needed for visa applications," he said.

However, most controversy about English tests has focused on their role in selecting former international students for permanent residency as skilled migrants.

This is less of an issue now that the Government has weakened the education-migration link although IELTS also remains the required test for the growth category of skilled migrants sponsored by employers.

Why you study in abroad? Reasons of Studying Abroad

Students are attracted to foreign countries for their higher education. This is because of several reasons. Among the reasons for students going abroad for study, here we'll discuss the most general ones.

Career Enhancement
But study abroad does more than promote academic enrichment and personal growth. It also can enhance your employment prospects, especially in the fields of business, international affairs, and government service. Employers increasingly seek graduates who have studied abroad. They know that students who have successfully completed a study abroad program are likely to possess international knowledge and often second-language skills. Such students are also likely to have other transnational competencies that graduate and professional schools and employers value just as highly: cross-cultural communication skills, analytical skills, an understanding of and familiarity with local customs and cultural contexts, flexibility, resilience, and the ability to adapt to new circumstances and deal constructively with differences.

Good Education Environment
Students know they'll find good studying environment in developed countries. So to secure their future and to get good education, they want to go abroad for studying.

High Degree Value
When students obtain degree from well renowned universities from abroad, they'll have plus points everywhere from jobs to the society.

Unavailability of course of interest
Many students are found to go abroad for study because no course that suits their desire is available in their home country. So respecting whims, they have to go abroad for study.

High Social Status
After returning home with international degree, a students and his family will be respected in the society, hence students wish to go abroad for study.

Future Job Opportunities
Once students complete their education abroad, they’ll possibly have very high profiled jobs in well known organizations. Priority is always given to those students who have internationally recognized degree.

Increasing the Horizon
When the students go abroad for study, they'll meet many new friends. Students can build many new lifelong relationships. So they're attracted abroad for study.

Earning Money
Students think there are several job opportunities for them available abroad. They think to get involved in these jobs while studying. They've a dream to earn money and they think it can be easily done by working abroad legally or illegally while studying.

Far from family
Though many students regret this point, it is also one of the major reasons for students going abroad for study. Either they go to United States (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Canada, Germany, or any other nation; they'll have an opportunity to stay far from their family. When they are far from their family, they think they can enjoy a lot. This is because there will be no one abroad examining their activities. They are free to do anything they like, and this is the situation they've always wished to have.

See the world and broaden your experience.
There are so many amazing things to experience around the world. You can see different natural landscapes and climates that do not exist in America. There are historical landmarks in every country that helped shape the history of the globe. You can expand your knowledge of the world by actually being there, seeing it, touching it, and experiencing it. Pictures in text books simply do not do justice to standing under the Eiffel Tower or on the Great Wall of China. Is there a place or landmark you have always wanted to see? This is how you can understand the world in a direct, all-encompassing way. Studying and living in a different culture will help you see the world from a completely different perspective. It is an amazing experience that will change your life.