The Test Taker’s Guide to Balancing College Life and IELTS Review

Taking on an IELTS review course while juggling your college classes may mean more work and stress—but, the struggle is certainly not without rewards.

Let’s say you’re aiming to continue your studies abroad after you finish your degree. Achieving a high IELTS band score right now will speed up your application process after you graduate. It’ll also raise your chances of entering your dream university. The same goes if you plan to work abroad after you graduate. Employers are more likely to consider you if you are qualified for the job and have proof of your English communicative competence.

Using Town Hall Circle in Your Group Study Sessions

Group study is a beneficial learning alternative that most students prefer while reviewing for an upcoming examination. For instance, most students from IELTS review center in Manila organize group study sessions after their review classes as it can help them boost their learning abilities. Here are some benefits of attending in group study sessions:

      ·         Aside from participating in an IELTS review center, an interactive environment ensures a more profound understanding and learning of the material that is limited if you study alone the whole time.

      ·         If you are discussing a specific topic, you can have different opinions and perspectives, all providing fresh analysis and promoting new ways of thinking. 

      

      ·         When you are a part of a study group, there is always an element of competition that promotes critical thinking and creativity.

Moreover, conducting educational activities during group study is also essential as these activities can make your group study more productive. One practical learning activity that you can practice is the Town Hall Circle.

What is Town Hall Circle?

Town Hall Circle mimics the process of a town hall meeting, where community members take the floor to share their ideas and perspectives on a topic of concern. Using this format in your group study sessions enables everyone to share their different views and opinions on a specific topic. So, if you are interested in conducting this learning activity in your group study sessions, read and follow these simple steps:

      1.    Select a topic

Choose a topic discussed by your instructor in the IELTS review center. Gather all the course training materials and notes about the topic. Then, organize those references to create a comprehensive reading material of the chosen subject. Finally, divide the reading material into four parts.

      2.    Assign readings

Group yourselves into four sub-groups. To each sub-group, provide a part of the reading material and give them time to read and analyze the text. After that, each member must discuss the text by answering questions such as: What is the reading material about? What are the main ideas and information presented? How do these factors help boost your communications skills? Also, assign a leader in each group that will summarize the text.

      3.    Town Hall Discussion Part 1: Summaries

Assemble chairs in a circle, providing one chair per group. The leaders sit in the chairs while the other members form a larger circle around the chairs. Then, each leader summarizes the text assigned to his group. Take note that there should be no analysis or interpretation allowed at this point, only the facts about the topic.

      4.    Town Hall Discussion Part 2: Comments and Questions

After all parts of the reading material have been summarized, the discussion begins. The leader can now ask questions or comment about the text. Other members who want to ask questions are only allowed to enter the conversation by “tapping” the shoulder of the leader of each group and “taking” their seat. The process continues until everyone has shared their opinions and perspectives about the topic.

     5.    Debriefing

After the discussions, everyone must write and answer the following questions:

       ·         What have you learned from the discussion?

       ·         How did your ideas and opinions about the topic change during this activity?

       ·         Where does your perspective come from?

For more practical study tips and strategies, visit the nearest IELTSreview center in Manila, Makati, Davao, Cebu and Baguio or subscribe to our blog now!

REFERENCES:

“The Benefits of Group Study.” Unitec. Accessed April 13, 2018. https://www.unitec.ac.nz/about-us/the-benefits-of-group-study.

"Town Hall Circle." Facing History and Ourselves. Accessed April 13, 2018. https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/teaching-strategies/town-hall-circle.

"Town Hall Circle." reDesign. Accessed April 13, 2018. http://www.redesignu.org/design-lab/learning-activities/town-hall-circle.

Beyond IELTS: The International Student’s Guide to Life in the US

Done with your course at the IELTS review center in Manila? Gearing up for your big move to America to continue your studies? Be prepared for life in the land of opportunity! Reduce culture shock and shorten your adjustment period by considering the guide below.

     1.    Finding accommodation

Don’t have a family or friends with whom you can live with when you study in America? Check out the accommodation options below.

·         On-campus dormitory

Living in a dormitory has a lot of advantages. It removes the need to commute to and fro the campus. It puts you in a place where you can easily engage in campus activities and access your university’s facilities. If your school offers on-campus lodging, apply immediately after admission. Don’t assume that you’re automatically reserved a dorm room because you’re an international student.

·         Apartment

Not up to following dorm curfews? Consider leasing an apartment. It might be more expensive compared with on-campus accommodation, but the freedom it provides is often worth it. Choose your apartment wisely. Ask around and find off-campus housing providers that really care for their tenants.

·         Homestay

A homestay arrangement happens when an international student stays with an American family for the duration of his or her program. It’s an accommodation option that mostly only available for students that are not older than 18.

     2.   Getting to know the college life in the US

Universities in the US are certainly different from those in the Philippines. Here are some things about college life in America that’ll surprise you.

·         The academic year is usually either divided into semesters (in which you have midterms and then finals) or into quarters (each capped off by finals).

·         College social scenes are not always frat-based. They vary from school to school. Some are wild and liberal while some are formal and conservative. Some are frat- or sorority-centered while others are sports- or organization-focused.

·         You don’t have to settle on a major immediately. If you’re not sure on what course you want to pursue, you have until the end of your sophomore year to decide.

·         Engaging in extracurricular activities is a must. These can help you develop your skills, gain experience, meet new people, and expand your network. You don’t have to participate in an activity that’s in line with your major. Join one that catches your interest and learn a new skill!

Still attending classes at the IELTS review center in Manila? Ask your instructors for their movie and book recommendations for people aiming for the US. Watch programs set in an American university to get to know college culture.

     3.   Adjusting to know your new place

Preparing for your life as an international student shouldn’t be limited to getting to know the American college system. You should also study up on the other aspects of life abroad. Below are the basics of the US transport system, weather, and currency.

Regarding transportation

Commutes in America are more efficient and extensive compared with commutes in the Philippines. You can travel by bicycle, bus, train, and subway. If you live off-campus, consider all the possible routes you can take going to school. Explore your transportation options.

Regarding the weather

There are four seasons in America, and they usually follow the schedule below.

·         Spring – March to May

·         Summer – June to August

·         Autumn – September to November

·         Winter – December to February

To understand the weather in the US, you must know that the time and attributes of the seasons vary from place to place.

Winter in the southern states, for instance, is fairly mild compared with the heavy snow and cold temperatures experienced in the northern states. Southern states during the summer, on the other hand, often experience extremely high temperatures while northern states experience a fairly warm climate.

Regarding money

The United States Dollar (USD) is the official currency of America. Here are the different kinds of USD bills and coins.

USD notes: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100

USD coins:

·         Penny – 1 cent  

·         Nickel – 5 cents

·         Dime – 10 cents

·         Quarter – 25 cents

·         Half Dollar – 50 cents

·         Dollar coin - $1

Memorize these figures before leaving the Philippines to reduce transaction blunders. Also, take note of the many names (e.g., bucks, cash, greenbacks, etc.) that US currency can take. If you’re still taking IELTS review classes, add US currency to your must-learn vocabulary list.

Knowing what to expect when you move to America will help you ease into your new life faster. So, do your homework. Research about life in the US before you leave the Philippines—or, even better—during your IELTS review period, so you can hit the ground running when you start your college life abroad. 

References:

"Accommodation Options for US Schools | Study in the USA." International Student. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/way-of-life/accommodation/.

Cooke, Daniel. "Studying in America: The College Experience." The Independent. September 23, 2013. Accessed March 19, 2018. http://www.independent.co.uk/student/study-abroad/studying-in-america-the-college-experience-8835048.html.

Dawson, Rich. "The Top 10 Myths About Attending University in America." CollegeXpress. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/international-students/articles/campus-life-culture-shock/top-10-myths-about-universities-and-colleges-america/.

Diane, and University Language. "Types of US Currency." The Campus Commons. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.universitylanguage.com/guides/us-currency/.

"Graduate Study in the US: Guide for International Students." Top Universities. November 01, 2016. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/north-america/united-states/graduate-study-us-guide-international-students.

Pranabudi, Indira. "What to Know About the U.S. College Experience Before Applying." U.S. News & World Report. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/international-student-counsel/2014/09/09/what-to-know-about-the-us-college-experience-before-applying.

"Public Transport in the USA." InterNations. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.internations.org/usa-expats/guide/29462-transport-driving/public-transport-in-the-usa-16259.

"Student Accommodations—International Student Travel Center." International Student. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.internationalstudent.com/travel/accommodations/.

"Study in the USA Guide for International Students." International Student. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/.

"Survival Guide for International Students: Your First 168 Hours in the United States." Times Higher Education (THE). September 14, 2016. Accessed March 19, 2018. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/survival-guide-international-students-your-first-168-hours-united-states.

Top 5 Universities in Australia Accepting IELTS

With its unique landscape and exciting culture, Australia is not only one of the most popular destination for travelers, but is also high on the list for IELTS test takers who want to study abroad. Aside from that, this country is also the home of seven of the top 100 universities in the world. In addition to that, the Australian government invests around $200,000,000 in international scholarships annually.

Do you want to study in Australia? Universities in Australia require a minimum IELTS score for those students who wish to apply for either an undergraduate or postgraduate course. Most test takers enroll in an IELTS reviewclass in order to enhance their IELTS preparation and meet the needed IELTS score.

Spotting Keywords in IELTS Reading Test

Keyword spotting is an effective strategy in acing your IELTS reading test. It enables you to look for specific words in the reading questions that can help you to locate the right answer. Moreover, keyword spotting lets you read long passages in a shorter period so you can have more time to check your answers properly. Practicing this strategy in your IELTS review class can increase your chances of attaining high scores on your reading exam.