IELTS: Basic English literacy not enough to land jobs abroad

CEBU, Philippines - Despite basically literate in English, Filipinos continue to lose employment opportunities overseas because of lack of a deeper follow through in the English subjects provided in schools.

“Filipinos may have a higher awareness of English than many other nationalities, however, this does not extrapolate to the conclusion that they are fluent, cohesive and coherent speakers of the English language,” said Bob Green, Head Educational Coordinator & Native Speaker, Power IELTS.

Green said that although Filipinos understand and speak English, they failed to extensively use the language on a daily basis – especially writing – leading them to do not so well in the required International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) exams and losing job opportunities abroad.

“We prepare job applicants and reviewers understand the English nuances to prepare them to get the 7.0 score immigrants should get in their IELTS exams,” Green said.

IELTS exams are required for immigration especially in English speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Power IELTS, which has a center in TM Kalaw Street in Manila and recently opened a facility in Cebu at the PDI Condominium in Banilad, had been one of the many successful centers in preparing aspiring Filipino workers to immigrate or work in English speaking countries.

Green said opportunities especially in nurses, skilled workers, care givers and even students are still plentiful if only Filipinos would take the necessary skills and pass the IELTS exams with flying colors.

He said Filipinos aspiring to work abroad must not only learn English but understand its nuances, including the syntactic, lexical and phonetic elements as well as the cultural and colloquial elements.

“If a reviewer does not get the desired band level (taking the IELTS exam) there is no job, they have not met the migration requirements, end of subject. It is that simple,” he said.

Green said students must learn how to select the best IELTS programs that will prepare them sufficiently for the exams.

“A review centre must provide a balanced program that firstly effectively imparts the methodologies and techniques that allows the reviewers to improve their band scores,” he said.

In Power IELTS, students first take a pre-assessment test online, given by Oxford University, London, England to measure their potential of getting the desired scores.

Those who need more help are given more assistance through the program’s unlimited review course, he said.

The company also coach the student’s one on one and the students have access to its English review library and online resources.

Competent IELTS teachers also provide flexible schedules and even an optional sit-in coaching session to ensure students would get the 7.0 score or higher.

“A review centre must provide the environment that allows, encourages and supports the acquisition and absorption of the English language,” Green said.