need help: IELTS score requirement for visa screen certificate

[metanoia_2309]

hi.. i just want to know if i'm eligible for visa screen..

I'm a nurse and i took the academic module.

my ielts score are: listening- 8
reading- 8
writing- 5.5
speaking- 7
over all score- 7

any reply will be appreciated..

[3yellowcat]

Hello
The answer is yes, you are eligible for Visa Screen. I 'm a nurse, too, but struggling to get 26 in the speaking section in Toefl. The overall needed score is 6.5 in IELTS with 7 band in speaking. Sooo, you have nothing to worry about.

I took Toefl several times. My overall score is usually around 100, but in speaking I get 23-24. I 'm wondering if IELTS is easier. Can you give me some details about it ? Especially about listening and speaking. How did you prepare for it ? Thanks in advance. Good luck .

[metanoia_2309]

Hi...
Thanks for the reply and sorry about the Toefl exams that you've taken..

Well, about IELTS,most of the nurses here in our country prefer it more than Toefl because they say its much more easier. But, for me, proper preparation is still the key.

IELTS has four parts – Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are done in one sitting. The Speaking test may be on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests.

check this site to have an idea how the test goes..just put www at the start of the links because i still cant post links (need to have 30 post in the forum before i can).

ielts.org/test_takers_information/test_sample.aspx
examenglish.com/IELTS/IELTS_listening.htm

the first one is for reading, writing, and speaking while the second is for listening...

I actually took a review center for my preparation. It's helpful because they have a lot of materials for me to practice, and that's what it is all about "a lot of practice for you to have good grades in the exam"...

As for the review center, maybe you have in mind in your country but i suggest try British Council or IDP Ielts australia... these are the two organizations who conduct the exam and they also provide assistance like review sessions..

hope it helps... good luck to you... :-)

[3yellowcat]

Hi again matanoia 2309
Thanks for your quick reply. Actually, I have some information about the IELTS (including some websites with materials for practise), but you know that every test has its own tricks that only another test-taker may tell you about. I know that the reading section is dificult, but I got 27-28 in my last toefl exams, so I think that with some study, I can get a decent score. In the writing section, I don 't have problems, as well....just to practise a bit specifically for IELTS. BUT...the listening in IELTS is totally different. For example, did you have a headset, or did you listen to a tape ?

Well...I would be gratefull to you if you let me know some tips and tricks of the listening and speaking sections. In my country, the test is administered by British Council and they offer some courses to help students prepare , but they are so expensive and I can 't afford this luxury.Thank you and good luck with your next steps.

[poike]

Hello 3yellowcat,
I took the IELTS several years ago (at least 6) given by the British Council in my country. Then they used a tape for the listening part and it was a little hard to keep track of it, but not overwhelmingly difficult. The topics in themselves I found simple, I guess the main thing for the writing part is to make a coherent argument and for the listening to get the general idea of what they were talking about. I don't remember my exact grade, but it was very good, even with the lousy tape. Anyway, you can probably ask at your local test center how the listening part is given.
I hope this helps.

[metanoia_2309]

Hello 3yellowcat...

Well, about the listening test, yes, in Ielts we actually used a tape during the exam but you dont need to worry about the quality of the sound because they will be using an excellent sound system.

Tip: 1.) practice using your speakers not headset (your computer speakers will do)
2.) try watching british movies (most of the conversation in the listening test are british accents), so you can familiarize your self better on how they pronounce words.

For speaking test there are two parts, the first part is where the examiner ask you about your self (general info about you). Example, "What do you do for a living?". The second part is "out of the blue questions" like What's your favorite book? why?, what's your favorite sport? why?

Tip: 1.) Be calm in answering the questions and treat it like a normal conversation.
2.) for part one, just answer the question direct to the point because most of the questions here are objective questions. (meaning it can be answered with just a word or 1 sentence). for example, "Where you from?"
3.) for part two, most of the questions here are open ended questions, so make sure to answer the questions briefly but precise.( remember, the interviewer wants you to speak, but make sure to answer the question with sense). sometimes, some people when they are asked, they answer yet they are already out of the topic...

Hope it helps... :-)

[3yellowcat]

Thank you so much, metanoia 2309. I wish you all the best.

[IELTS teacher]

The British Council courses are expensive but good. If it's too much, you really can improve by practicing on your own. There are lots of good IELTS books and CDs (I recommend any book by Cambridge, Oxford or Longman publishers). Maybe you can find a book and CD at your library?

Also, the BBC has a GREAT website for learning English. Just google 'Learning English BBC' and you'll find it. 'Words in the News' is useful because you can listen to the British accent and get used to it. There are lots of good reading, listening, grammar and vocabulary activities in there.

You want to make sure that you practice regularly - like every day if you can - because learning the strategies and getting good at the skills takes a lot of dedication. You can do it!