Stay up to date with the latest developments in international education with EdNews! Each month, we bring you essential updates on campus openings, relocations, mergers, new programs, team announcements, promotional opportunities for Edvisor agencies, and all the relevant news in the field of international education.
Let's join together to explore and celebrate the new developments this new year brings to the world of education!
📋 Skip straight to the topic you're interested in!
-
Anglo-Continental is launching new online English courses for 2024
-
Immigration New Zealand Approves IELTS One Skill Retake for Visa Applicants
-
Quebec Introduces New Financial and Language Requirements for International Students
-
Australia Sets New Visa Priorities for International Students
Anglo-Continental's Teaching Methodology Course for Aviation English Teachers offers a unique and specialized training program tailored to the needs of English language teachers in the aviation sector.
This course is designed by the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) language proficiency requirements, which mandate that aviation personnel achieve a minimum level of English proficiency at Level 4 or above. The course also aims to equip English teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to teach aviation English effectively, ensuring that aviation personnel meet these critical language standards.
One of the key aspects of this course is its focus on the latest methodologies in teaching Aviation English, all framed within the context of ICAO standards. Participants engage in comprehensive training that combines both theoretical and practical elements.
The training delves into the nuances of Aviation English and how to teach it effectively, covering a broad range of topics from basic language skills to specific aviation-related terminologies and scenarios.
Notably, the course is accessible to English language teachers with varying degrees of familiarity with aviation. Even those with little to no prior aviation knowledge can benefit from this course, as it provides a deep dive into the aviation context, enhancing the participants' understanding and ability to teach Aviation English.
Through hands-on practice and guidance from experienced English trainers, participants develop a robust understanding of the language and its specific application in the aviation industry.
Overall, Anglo-Continental's Teaching Methodology Course for Aviation English Teachers represents a comprehensive and effective solution for English language teachers aiming to specialize in Aviation English.
Anglo-Continental is launching new online English courses for 2024
Anglo-Continental's online English language programme continues to pave the way for Upper-Intermediate students seeking advanced language skills with specialized online group lessons. The programme is mainly structured to provide a robust learning platform, offering the first four weeks of instruction at £350, with each additional four-week period priced at £200, making continued learning more affordable.
The scheduling is tailored for consistency and depth, with classes held every Monday from 11:00 to 12:00 and every Tuesday from 11:00 to 13:00, British Time (GMT). This allows students to immerse themselves in a comprehensive learning experience that fits into a regular weekly routine, which is essential for progress in language proficiency.
The program uses interactive technology to create a classroom atmosphere where students can engage with peers and instructors in real time. The live online sessions are not just a series of lectures; they are interactive discussions and collaborative spaces that foster an environment where language skills can be practiced and honed with immediate feedback from qualified teachers.
Anglo-Continental ensures that each student is part of a virtual classroom and actively participates in a global learning community. The programme’s schedule and pricing structure demonstrate the institution's commitment to providing accessible and high-quality English language education to students worldwide.
Immigration New Zealand Approves IELTS One Skill Retake for Visa Applicants
Immigration New Zealand has recently endorsed the IELTS One Skill Retake as an acceptable English language test for individuals aiming to study, work, or migrate to New Zealand. This decision aligns New Zealand's policies with those of the UK Visa and Immigration and the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Introduced last year, the IELTS One Skill Retake allows test-takers to reassess one of the four skills (listening, reading, writing, or speaking) within 60 days if they did not achieve their desired score in a specific test section on their first attempt.
Immigration New Zealand clarified that for purposes where the test date is critical, the date of the original IELTS test, not the retake, should be considered.
The IELTS, co-owned by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment English, aims to offer test-takers a second chance to meet their required scores for study, migration, or work purposes, especially if they believe their original performance did not accurately reflect their language proficiency.
IELTS One Skill Retake is now available at select IELTS testing centers across over 110 countries, offering a more flexible approach for those seeking to fulfill English language requirements for various applications.
Quebec Introduces New Financial and Language Requirements for International Students
The government of Quebec has implemented new financial measures and French language proficiency requirements for international students at English-speaking universities. Starting from the 2024/25 academic year, a fee of CAN$ 20,000 per international student will be levied to balance funding between French-speaking and English-speaking networks.
Furthermore, from the 2025/26 academic year, 80% of out-of-province and international students will need to demonstrate Level 5 oral proficiency in French by the end of their undergraduate studies, with university funding contingent on meeting this target.
Affected institutions like McGill and Concordia Universities have raised concerns over these measures. They argue that the French proficiency goal is unrealistic and may deter international students, impacting the universities and the local economy. Despite the government's cutback, Concordia has decided to maintain its approved fees for 2024/25.
Australia Sets New Visa Priorities for International Students
The Australian government, under the guidance of the Home Affairs Minister, has revised its approach to handling offshore student visa applications. This change aligns with Australia's recent migration strategy to enhance language requirements and modify work visa pathways.
Key aspects of the new approach include:
-
Priority Framework: Introduced on December 14th by Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neal, this framework categorizes offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications into three levels based on the providers' Evidence Level Rating in the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF).
-
High-Priority Category: This includes school students, foreign affairs and defence students, secondary school exchange students, postgraduate research course applicants, and applicants for full-time courses at institutions with an Evidence Level 1 rating.
-
Lower Priority Categories: Applications for courses at institutions with Evidence Level 2 and 3 ratings fall into lower priority tiers, with EL3-rated institutions being the lowest.
-
Dynamic Priority Adjustment: If an institution's Evidence Level rating changes during the application process, the priority of the application will be adjusted accordingly.
This strategy aims to manage the student visa process more efficiently, prioritizing applications based on the perceived risk and quality of education providers. It reflects the government's intent to allocate resources effectively and manage Australia’s borders, focusing on maintaining the integrity of its migration and education programs.
