Preparing for the IELTS Exam

by IDP

Welcome back to our three-part series on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). In part one, we gave you an overview of the IELTS and answered some popular questions. In part two, we will answer more questions and dive into the steps that will help you succeed on your test.

IELTS is a high-stakes test and you must be well prepared to demonstrate your English skills to the fullest. IDP IELTS provides you with multiple support tools to help you prepare to do your best on the test.

What can I do to prepare?

Doing some practical preparation for IELTS is a great way to prepare. However, consider that an IELTS band score of 7 (the highest score is a 9) represents thousands of hours spent on studying the English language. The best way to prepare for the test is to use your English skills every day using every opportunity you can to speak English. Speak to your friends in English, write notes in English, listen to the radio or TV in English, and read in English. Avoid waiting until the day or the week before the test and start practicing now.

Is it difficult to prepare for the IELTS exam?

IELTS is a comprehensive language test that measures a range of language abilities. You need to have a general level of English to complete it, but preparing for the test requires investing a lot of your time. Be sure to review all of the extensive free resources available. The more you prepare, the easier it is to demonstrate your English language skills.

What kinds of resources are available to prepare for the test?

IELTS professionals have developed several resources that are an excellent way to help you prepare.

• Free IELTS seminars: These in-person sessions run by IELTS professionals are great for people who prefer a face-to-face experience. There are several sessions held each month.
  • Held at multiple locations across Canada
  • Interactive
  • Provide details on all parts of the test
  • Practice sample listening/speaking/reading/writing questions
  • Ask questions specific to your needs
  • Learn tips in each session on how to score higher on either the listening and reading or speaking and writing sections of the test
• IDP masterclass webinars: There are two webinars held each month. They are very convenient for those who cannot attend face-to-face sessions. These sessions are very popular and people find them extremely helpful.
  • Online 90-minute sessions run by IELTS professionals
  • Live and interactive
  • Practice sample listening/speaking/reading/writing questions
  • Learn tips on how to avoid the most commonly made mistakes
  • Information about how the test is scored and what examiners are looking
    for
  • Introduction to the IELTS band scores and the requirements to achieve particular ratings
  • Ask questions in real time
  • Cover all four skill areas (writing, reading, speaking, and listening) in one session

• Facebook Live sessions: These sessions are a great way to ask specific questions and get precise answers.
  • Live question and answer sessions
  • Hosted by IELTS expert Don Oliver
  • Monthly sessions conveniently scheduled across time zones
  • Concentrate on one skill area at a time
• IELTS blog: The blog posts are an excellent opportunity to learn about a variety of different aspects of the IELTS exam. They contain an abundance of information and could answer questions you did not even know you had.
  • The IELTS blog is updated twice a month and contains targeted solutions to specific areas
  • Written by IELTS professionals who understand the difficulties you can encounter
  • Covers a wide array of topics from general issues that relate to IELTS and immigration to specific details about Academic Writing Task 1
  • Easy to access current and archived topics
• 30-day free online IELTS preparation with test registration: When you book your exam, you receive access to test-prep tools.
  • Your choice of a single module (reading, writing, listening, or speaking)
  • Up to 25 hours of online study time
  • Free practice test in your chosen module
  • Detailed feedback and model answers for all activities
  • Expert IELTS tips and study strategies
  • First module is free upon booking (additional modules can be purchased)
  • Available at select locations
• Free practice tests: There are free practice tests available for each module in both the Academic and General Training exams.
  • Download free practice tests
  • Become familiar with the format of the test
  • Compare your answers with model answers

Which area should I spend most of my time preparing for?

Every person has their own individual strengths and weaknesses. In most cases, the writing section generates the lowest band scores. If you are interested in finding out average global scores based on first language, country of origin, or country where the test is taken, check Test Taker Performance 2015.

Is there anything else I should know about preparing for the exam?

• Determine what your personal strengths and weaknesses are
• Use as many resources as you can to prepare for the test
• Go to ieltscanadatest.com for more tips
• Spend time understanding what and how skills are being assessed for a higher chance of success
• Take a long-term approach
• Practice English in any way to improve your language skills

Most importantly, push yourself to improve every day. Good luck!

Ready for more best practices in regard to exam day? Read part three of our IELTS series.

Opinion: North Bay is finally in the immigration game.

By: Don Curry

Those coming to North Bay, and 10 other communities under the new program, are not coming to take someone’s job. They have to have a job offer but for the employer to make that offer he or she has to demonstrate that advertising did not produce a Canadian citizen or permanent resident qualified and willing to do the job'

North Bay will get some new immigrant residents this year, as it does every year. But starting this year some will come in under a new program, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, which is scheduled to last five years.

Some readers may need a short primer on immigration. There is a difference between immigrants and refugees. Most immigrants come to Canada in the economic immigration streams, with cash in their pockets and skills to offer Canadian society. Many already have a job. They can also come in through spousal or parental sponsorships, a program that requires the sponsor to cover their living expenses.

Refugees are those who really need our help, as they are fleeing persecution, violence or war, and often have no funds of their own. They are either sponsored by the federal government for their first year in Canada or by church groups, groups of five concerned citizens or other groups, who raise funds to sponsor a family for the first 12 months in Canada.

Refugees have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, engineers, parliamentarians, scientists, business owners…you name it. Adrienne Clarkson was a refugee from Japanese-occupied Hong Kong and became our 26th Governor-General since Confederation.

Those coming to North Bay, and 10 other communities under the new program, are not coming to take someone’s job. They have to have a job offer but for the employer to make that offer he or she has to demonstrate that advertising did not produce a Canadian citizen or permanent resident qualified and willing to do the job. The other Northern Ontario cities in the pilot program are Timmins, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay.

The North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce, The Labour Market Group, Yes Employment Services, the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre, the city’s economic development department—all partners in the new immigration program, have been making the point for years and have the data to prove it—we have local jobs going unfilled due to the lack of qualified candidates.

The new program, the result of Northern Ontario Liberal MPs lobbying, including our own Anthony Rota, and other voices advocating change, including mine, is based on the successful Atlantic Immigration Pilot.  Northern Ontario has much in common with Atlantic Canada, in that cities are smaller and spread out and our population is declining.

For far too long we have allowed our immigration system to benefit Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver (MTV in immigration circles) at the expense of the rest of the country. Those three cities are bursting at the seams and Northern Ontario is not.

It’s going to be a while before we see people arriving in North Bay under the pilot program but people continue to arrive under other programs, such as Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class, Family Class, temporary worker programs and international student programs.

Patti Carr of the Chamber, who is the project lead, says they will start with the 20 or so people who are already in North Bay who would like to start the permanent residence process. She expects that it will take a month or two and then they will look at those from outside the city and country. 

There are more than 2,200 expressions of interest in the queue. There is a cap of 100 in the first year, which may arise later. The federal government will evaluate the project, not on how many people come, but by how many stay. Applicants have to demonstrate a desire to live and stay in the community.

What all this means is that we’re finally in the game. Sure, we have had immigrants arriving for years, but not in the numbers we need. Baby boomers are retiring in droves. Families are smaller. People are dying.

The indigenous population is growing but we will need all of that population plus immigration to grow our Northern Ontario cities and businesses.

Don Curry,

Source: BayToday.ca

25 Essential Job Search Tips for Immigrants

by WES Advisor

Are you looking for a job in the United States or Canada? Find all of the job search tips you need to succeed, all in one post.

Below, we collected the best advice from our experts and the WES Advisor archives. Whether you are actively looking for a job or just researching your options in North America, these tips can help you achieve your goals. 

PREPARE FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH

1. Start by taking stock of your abilities. Do you lack any skills that could prevent you from obtaining the job of your dreams?

2. If you lack key skills, consider completing a short training program at a vocational school or community college. Look for affordable career pathway programs that can help you enter the workforce as quickly as possible.

3. Consider earning a stackable credential. You can earn these once you arrive in North America. For example, an international degree in business can be boosted with a stackable credential in management. Employers like to hire immigrants who have continued their education upon arrival. This will help you stand out as a job candidate.

4. Be sure to update your profile on LinkedIn. Add your most recent job title, training, and skills. Your photo counts, too: Make sure you are using a clear, professional image.

5. While you’re at it, check that you have a strong profile summary. That’s the description at the top of your personal page on LinkedIn. It is the first section a recruiter sees when they are searching for job candidates. Mention your most important job titles and specialized skills, so you show up in recruiter searches!

REACH OUT TO YOUR NETWORK

1. Did you know that employee referrals are the best way to get hired? Connect with friends and former colleagues. Let them know what kind of role you are seeking, and provide them with a copy of your résumé. Your network may be able to refer you for a role that isn’t even advertised to the public yet.

2. If you have a contact at the company you want to work for, reach out to them and ask for insights. You never know—your conversation could result in advice that helps you stand out in your job interview. Or they could connect you with a more senior hiring manager!

3. Expand your network by attending events. You can meet new people at local career fairs, conferences, mentoring events, and industry meetups. You can even learn about job openings at regular social functions, like birthday parties, where you have the chance to meet new people outside of your usual circle.

4. Ask former colleagues and supervisors to recommend you on LinkedIn. A recommendation is a short testimonial that endorses your work. It helps if you ask people who you know well and worked with closely. You might increase your chances if you offer to write one for them, in return.

5. Discover the power of informational interviews. This is an informal meeting with a professional in your field. It is a chance for you to learn more about your desired industry, role, or organization. This is not only a great way to network, it could also lead to a referral!

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO YOU NEED?

1. Did you know that employers spend an average of six seconds reviewing a résumé? So keep it short, and stick to the basics. Your résumé should not be longer than one page.

2. Similarly, your résumé should be front-loaded with keywords. You should include some language that matches the job description for the position you are trying to fill. It’s a good idea to tailor your résumé to match each job that you apply for, even though that takes a little more effort. It will be worth it when you land the perfect job.

3. You also need to prepare a strong cover letter. This document should tie together the bullet points from your résumé. But, like the résumé, keep it short! Aim for a one-page cover letter that describes your experience and why it makes you the perfect job candidate.

4. Your cover letter is the perfect place to not only showcase your writing skills but also to brag about yourself! When writing your cover letter, emphasize your strengths and accomplishments. Tailor your cover letter to match the job description for every role you are pursuing. Do not use the same cover letter for each application!

5. Even if you are not required to submit a portfolio, it is still a good idea to send the hiring manager samples of your prior work. This could include white papers, blueprints, marketing ads, clothing patterns, website designs, or any other examples of your accomplishments that match the job description. Hiring managers love when applicants go above and beyond!

GET A CREDENTIAL EVALUATION

1. Another important document in your job search arsenal is a credential evaluation. This report is essential for internationally educated job seekers. It tells employers the equivalent of your degree in the U.S. or Canada, putting you on equal footing with local job candidates.

2. Your credential evaluation also adds value by helping employers understand your previous career experience and licenses.

3. Before you order a credential evaluation, determine which report is the best fit for your needs. For example, do you need a basic Document-by-Document evaluation (to evaluate your overall degree) or a more detailed Course-by-Course evaluation (to evaluate your transcripts and GPA)?

4. Submit proof of your credential evaluation with your job application. It shows that you are a proactive job candidate who is prepared for a career in a new country. You should also bring this with you to your job interview.

5. A credential evaluation has lifetime value. To make the most of your order, determine all of the ways you might use your report in the future. You can choose a package that comes with a Digital Badge, for example, if you would like to showcase your accomplishments on social media sites like LinkedIn. You can also order extra copies in advance.

ACE YOUR JOB INTERVIEW

1. If you are contacted for a job interview, make sure you have developed your elevator pitch ahead of time. An elevator pitch is a 30-second speech in which you “sell yourself” to your potential employer. Your pitch should highlight the greatest achievements of your career.

2. Plan responses to common interview questions ahead of time. Although there is no way to predict every question you may be asked, running through a “practice interview” with a friend or family member can help you build confidence and prepare for the actual interview.

3. Arrive at your interview fully prepared. You should bring copies of your credential evaluation, résumé, and cover letter. Your interviewer may ask to see your documents again to verify a topic that comes up. You will look like a competent prospect if you have everything ready the moment they ask!

4. Prepare a few questions about the job or the company. At the end of the interview, your interviewer will ask if you have any questions. You want to pose thoughtful questions that show you have thoroughly researched the company and are interested in learning more about the role.

5. Follow up after the interview. To express your interest in the position, it is a good idea to send a thank-you email to your interviewers. Thank them for taking the time to speak with you, refer back to a topic you spoke about, and briefly reiterate why you are a good fit for the role. This is a common custom (and a polite gesture) in North America.

Source: WES.org

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