March 2013 - IDP Education

IDP Education - a proud owner
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Expressions
The IELTS Newsletter
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24th Edition - March 2013
e from the Director
Welcome to this first edition of Expressions for 2013.
Firstly I am delighted to welcome a new face to our Stakeholder
Relations team, Ms Ceinwen McNeil. Ceinwen commenced with us
in late 2012 as Stakeholder Relations Manager. You can read about
her background later in this edition.
The Stakeholder Relations team is about to embark on their IELTS
information roadshow around Australia for 2013. I hope many of
you will be able to attend these events where you will have an
opportunity to meet Ceinwen and receive the latest IELTS updates.
John Belleville
IELTS Director, IDP
IDP IELTS will be supporting a large number of events and conferences in 2013 and
this month we had a strong contingent of staff attending the Going Global Conference
in Dubai. Pamela Humphreys, Academic Manager, Language Testing and University
Programs from Griffith University in Australia was a speaker on the IELTS sponsored
panel about English language proficiency and enhancement strategies, and their impact
on the undergraduate student experience.
In response to increasing demand for English language tests in the Middle East, I am
pleased to announce IDP IELTS has opened new test centres in Oman and Egypt.
IDP IELTS Cairo office recently celebrated its launch at a gala function attended by the
Australian Ambassador to Egypt, Dr Ralph King, Mr Maher El Bakry, IDP’s Middle East
Regional Director, and His Excellency Prof. Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghafar Ismail, the President
of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, our institutional
partner in Cairo.
This event was attended by around 100 guests and educational figures including
Presidents / Vice Presidents of private universities, Deans of language faculties,
representatives of US Aid and Fulbright, and the Australian Embassy in Cairo. IELTS will
play a key role in providing aspiring young people in Egypt, Oman and the wider Middle
East with opportunities for education, work and migration.
The long awaited post-study work visa in Australia will come into effect this month.
International graduates of a number of degrees will now have access to the post-study
work arrangements, and we welcome the Australian Government’s selection of IELTS as
a test to fulfill the English language requirement for this visa.
Finally, I invite interested academics to submit a proposal as part of the IDP IELTS
independent academic research program. Submissions are open until 30 June 2013 with
projects to commence in 2014. I also invite you to read about the research proposals
selected in 2012 which can be found in this edition of Expressions.
As always we welcome your feedback and suggestions for content in future editions of
Expressions, or, if there’s a story from your organisation, share it with us by emailing
ielts.communications@idp.com
In this edition:
Features
2 Welcome to the new IDP IELTS
Stakeholder Relations Manager
2 Canadian Language Benchmarks
and IELTS
Research
3 Tracking international students’
English proficiency over the first
semester of undergraduate study
3 Congratulations to grant recipients
for 2013
3 2013 Research Grants
– call for proposals
Test Centre news
4 More access to IELTS in Egypt
and Oman
Conferences and events
5 Supporting TESOL teachers
in New Zealand
5 Academic support professionals
of Australia and NZ unite at ISANA
conference
6 Photo gallery - Egypt
7 Photo gallery - Turkey
7 Photo gallery - Saudi Arabia
Forthcoming events
8 IELTS Stakeholder Information
Sessions - Australia
Recruitment
9 Opportunities to train as an
IELTS examiner
Brain teaser
10 Find the two six letter words
Useful links
For institutions: www.idp.com/ielts
For researchers: www.ielts.org/research
For test takers: www.IELTSessentials.com
Access this edition online at www.idp.com/ielts

Welcome to the new IDP IELTS
Stakeholder Relations Manager
The IDP IELTS Stakeholder Relations has a new face for the start of
2013 with the appointment of Ms Ceinwen McNeil.
Ceinwen takes on the role responsibility for IDP IELTS Stakeholder
Relations in addition to supporting broader stakeholder relations
initiatives across IDP Education.
Ceinwen comes with a background in government having worked across
the Victorian state public service in a range of portfolios. Prior to joining
IDP, Ceinwen’s most recent role was as Acting Executive Director of the
Intergovernmental Relations Division, Strategy and Review Group at the
Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development,
where she was responsible for providing a range of support services to
portfolio Ministers and other senior staff.
Ceinwen McNeil
Ceinwen has more than 15 years’ experience in stakeholder relations IDP IELTS Stakeholder Relations Manager
including managing KPMG’s relationship with the Victorian government.
She is highly regarded for her advocacy, negotiation, ‘troubleshooting’ skills and ability to resolve complex issues.
IDP IELTS Director John Belleville is delighted to welcome Ceinwen to the team.
“Ceinwen is a great asset to our team. We are already benefitting from her expertise and energy as we aim to
increase the recognition and acceptance of IELTS.”
Ceinwen said she is thrilled to be a part of the IELTS team, is looking forward to joining forces with IELTS
Stakeholder Relations Officer Bethany Marett and is ready to embrace the challenges ahead.
“I look forward to meeting the wide range of stakeholders that IELTS interacts with and will
particularly enjoy the relationship with the Australian Government this year given the forthcoming
national election.’’
In her spare time Ceinwen is a masterchef extraordinaire and enjoys spending time with her family.
Canadian Language Benchmarks
and IELTS
Are you aware that IELTS results (General Training) are
accepted for study, work and permanent residence in Canada?
Following the introduction of a mandatory language requirement for
certain Canadian visa categories, (such as the Canadian Federal Skilled
Worker program) IDP IELTS has created a handy Canadian Language
Benchmark and IELTS equivalency calculator at www.IELTSessentials.
com/canada The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) are the
national standards used in Canada for describing, measuring and
recognizing the English language proficiency of adult immigrants and
prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada.
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Expressions
www.idp.com/ielts
Research
Tracking international students’ English proficiency over the first semester
of undergraduate study
This report, previewed in the previous edition of Expressions, is now available in full at
http://www.ielts.org/research
IELTS Research Reports are now published as individual papers, rather than as complete volumes.
This new ‘Online Series’ ensures that the latest IELTS research is available to you more frequently.
Congratulations to grant recipients for 2013
The IELTS joint research committee selected two projects to be funded by IDP IELTS in 2013. Dr Noriko Iwashita
and Ms Claudia Vasquez from the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies at The University of
Queensland will undertake their project entitled An examination of candidate discourse in the IELTS speaking test:
Perusing discourse competence at different IELTS levels of proficiency.
The second project will be completed by Dr Ute Knoch, Dr Lyn May, Dr Susy Macqueen and Mr John Pill from
The University of Melbourne. These researchers will look at transitioning from university to the workplace and
stakeholder perceptions of academic and professional writing demands.
2013 Research Grants – call for proposals
Educational institutions and suitably qualified individuals are invited to apply for funding to undertake applied
research projects in relation to IELTS for a period of one or two years.
Total grant funding of up to AUD$215,000 (£130,000) may be provided with up to AU$70,000/£45,000 available
per project.
Research areas of interest include test development and validation issues, issues relating to contexts of test use
and issues of test impact.
Apply
by 30 June
For application forms
and guidelines visit
www.ielts.org/research
Applications must be
submitted by 30 June 2013.
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Test center news
More access to IELTS in Egypt and Oman
IDP Education has recently opened its doors to IELTS test takers in Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt and in Muscat,
Oman.
As well as IELTS testing services, the IDP Education offices offer advice and support services to help students
select the best options to study abroad. IDP student advisors assist with visa applications, test applications and
enrolment with universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and USA.
“People who plan to study or work in countries such as the United Kingdom
and even as far afield as Canada and Australia are coming to us for their
IELTS test,” Mr El Bakry said.
“IDP Education’s new IELTS test centres in Cairo and Muscat will allow even more people to achieve their
ambitions. In addition to registering for their IELTS test, students and their parents who visit the IDP office can
benefit from the advice of our student advisors to help them plan and prepare for their studies abroad.”
Watch an introduction to the new IDP
Education office in Cairo and see
what test takers said of an IDP IELTS
Masterclass at www.youtube.com/
IELTSessentials
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Expressions
www.idp.com/ielts
Conferences and events
Supporting TESOL teachers in
New Zealand
Another successful CLESOL (Community Languages and TESOL)
conference was held in Palmerston North, New Zealand with proud
support from IELTS. More than 350 delegates attended the biennial
conference.
IELTS had a strong local contingent at the conference with Dr
Katherine Quigley, IELTS Principal Examiner from Wellington, and
Marian Hilder, Acting IELTS Test Centre Administrator at Massey
University, Palmerston North, joining Melbourne-based and IELTS
Stakeholder Relations Officer, Bethany Marett, a New Zealander.
Kate Quigley, IELTS Principal Examiner (left) and Marian
Hilder, Acting IELTS Test Centre Administrator
at Massey University (right) join Bethany Marett,
IDP IELTS Stakeholder Relations Officer in October
at CLESOL in NZ.
Congratulations to Helen Otto who was the lucky winner of the
IELTS backpack and resources prize.
The IELTS-sponsored sightseeing trip across the spectacular
Manawatu region aboard a double decker bus was a particular
highlight, in addition to the inspiring presentations of many speakers.
Dana Taylor (left), Gillian Claridge (right), CLESOL
organising committee members stop by the IELTS booth.
Academic support professionals of Australia
and NZ unite at ISANA conference
The IELTS partners continue to support ISANA by way of conference
sponsorship and industry training. An “IELTS Writing Masterclass for
Teachers” was delivered by Wellington-based IELTS expert
Dr Katherine Quigley at the ISANA conference held in December.
This session was designed for teachers who help students prepare
for the test and takes a closer look at the IELTS assessment
criteria. The session was well attended, providing the opportunity for
interaction and feedback.
IELTS also had the pleasure of chairing the plenary speaker,
Jacquelyn Cranney, an Australian Learning and Teaching National
Teaching Fellow and an Associate Professor of Psychology at the
University of New South Wales. Assoc Prof Cranney spoke on
“Student success, psychological literacy, and global citizenship”, an
area of research which is highly valued by those in the teaching and
learning world and offers insight into the issue
of language assessment.
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Academic support staff at Australian and NZ universities
participated in a workshop on IELTS assessment criteria
at the annual ISANA conference, sponsored by IELTS
in December.
Do you
or any of your
applicants have an
IELTS story to share?
If so, let us know at
ielts.communications
@idp.com

Photo gallery
Egypt welcomes IDP IELTS
The IDP IELTS team in Cairo with English language teachers and university faculty at the Nile TESOL conference. The two presentations,
which assisted universities and ESL teachers to deepen their insights into IELTS and English language testing, proved very popular with more
than 100 people attending. The IDP IELTS test centre in Cairo is catering to strong demand from students seeking to study abroad or complete
postgraduate qualifications within Egypt.
IDP IELTS Director John Belleville in Cairo at the launch of the first IDP IELTS test centre in Egypt. The event was attended by distinguished
guests including Presidents / Vice Presidents of private universities, Deans of language faculties, representatives of the Arab Academy of
Science and Technology and Maritime Transport, US Aid, Fulbright and the Australian Embassy in Cairo. The event was covered by local TV
channels and print media.
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Expressions
www.idp.com/ielts
Masterclass assists test takers in Turkey
Ms Merlin Can, IELTS Administrator for IDP
Turkey introduces Don Oliver, IELTS Masterclass
presenter at Bahcesehir University, Istanbul. Test
takers and preparation teachers from across
Istanbul participated in the free session to increase
their knowledge of the IELTS assessment criteria
and test format.
Saudi Arabia continues its push for educational best practice at the
International Exhibition and Forum for Education (IEFE)
Members of the IDP IELTS team in Riyadh at Saudi Arabia’s
International Exhibition and Forum for Education (IEFE) in February.
From left to right Mr Sameer Ali, Mr Hatem Saad, Mr Ahmed Zedan, Mr
Andrew Thomas ̶ IELTS Principal Examiner and presenter, Mr Faisal
Arabi, Mr Marwan Jaradat - IELTS Administrator and Mr Talha Zaheer.
From left to right Mr Ismail Farag - Austrade Business Development
Manager, Mr Sabry Shehata – IDP Country Director Saudi Arabia,
Mr Ahmed Al-Qahtani – Bythah Education Services and Mr Andrew
Thomas – IELTS Principal Examiner and conference presenter at
IEFE conference in Riyadh, hosted by the Saudi Arabian Ministry
of Education.
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Forthcoming events
Join the IELTS Stakeholder information sessions across Australia
The IDP IELTS Stakeholder Relations team welcomes representatives from organisations interested in English
language requirements for non-native English speakers to a roadshow of IELTS information sessions across
Australia.
The sessions will deepen your understanding of the level of language proficiency each IELTS band score
represents and the IELTS test format.
Importantly, you will be updated on the IELTS services available to organisations to help manage risk and select
genuine applicants at the English language proficiency level appropriate for your purpose.
Who should attend?
• Education providers – particularly international office directors, policy makers, international student recruitment
and admissions staff.
• Professional and industry associations – managers and registration officers involved in setting or reviewing
IELTS band scores when assessing overseas applications or processing registrations.
• Employers – HR and staff involved in setting English language requirements for employees.
• Government organisations – managers, policy and project officers within departments, agencies or statutory
authorities responsible for understanding policy drivers, setting, reviewing or processing IELTS results.
Dates and Venues:
Melbourne: Thursday 4 April
Intercontinental The Rialto, 495 Collins Street
Perth: Wednesday 10 April
Hyatt Regency, 99 Adelaide Terrace
Canberra: Thursday 18 April
Hyatt Hotel, 120 Commonwealth Avenue,
Yarralumla
Brisbane: Tuesday 23 April
Stamford Plaza, Cnr Edward & Margaret Streets
Time
Information session: 2-4pm
Networking drinks: 4-5pm
Cost
There is no cost to attend these events however
RSVPs are required.
To RSVP
Email your name, title,
organisation and location to
bethany.marett@idp.com
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Expressions
www.idp.com/ielts
Opportunities to train as an IELTS examiner
IDP IELTS is recruiting examiners to work in Egypt, Libya, Kuwait, UAE or Saudi Arabia. For details of the
qualifications and experience required to start training as an IELTS examiner, visit
www.idp.com/ielts/ieltsexaminers.aspx
To apply to train as an IELTS examiner, contact:
• Egypt (Cairo, Alexandria): ielts.egypt@idp.com
• Libya: info@ihtripoli-elite.com
• Kuwait: ielts.kuwait@idp.com
• UAE (Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Dibba, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi): ielts.dubai@idp.com
• Saudi Arabia (various cities): ielts.saudi@idp.com
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Expressions
www.idp.com/ielts
Brain teaser
Find the two six letter words that are combined in each row of letters. Their letters are in the correct order using
American spelling.
a) JSOYOMFUBELR
b) SCDUARWDRLYE
c) DASNAGEFERTY
d) CLULESTSCOHN
e) USENEARSEYNE
Details of upcoming
IELTS Masterclasses
of benefit to test takers
and teachers are at
IELTSessentials.com/
masterclass
Answers: a) Joyful & Somber b) Scurry & Dawdle c) Danger & Safety d) Clutch & Lesson e) Uneasy & Serene
Your feedback: Is there something - a story, information or even a question - you would like to see featured in Expressions: The IELTS Newsletter?
Email your suggestions or feedback to ielts.communications@idp.com
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IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge English Language Assessment.
© IELTS Australia 2013.
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