International Baccalaureate: the added element at many schools in Australia

Parents in Hong Kong face a perplexing dilemma when choosing a new school. They have to decide whether they want their child to study under the matriculation programme or the IB. They are attracted by IB’s emphasis on holistic education and independent thinking, but they also want to play safe with the traditional academic pathway. Parents in Australia are relieved from having to choose one or the other as schools are able to offer the IB in conjunction with the state exams.

Over 140 schools in Australia provide one of the three IB programs: the Primary Years Program (PYP) for students aged between 3 and 12 years old, the Middle Years Program (MYP) for students aged from 11 to 16 years old, and the Diploma Program (DP) for senior secondary students aged from 16 to 19 years old.

IB Diploma students have to do six subjects from these groups: Literature and Language (English); Language (French, German, Japanese, Spanish); Business and Management, History and Psychology; Biology, Chemistry, Design Technology and Physics; Maths; and the Arts (Music, Theatre, Visual Arts). They also need to do an extended essay, study theory of knowledge and creativity, and take part in various service programmes and activities.

The IB program’s appeal is that it gives students a well-rounded education. But unlike schools in Asia which focus on academic achievements only, Australian schools can have the IB and the state exam program co-existing alongside each other as the schools already have a holistic model into which the IB fits well.

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Cambridge English exams for UK university applications

Are your students applying to study in the UK? Find out more from a webinar created by Cambridge English on how your students can use the IELTS and Cambridge English Advanced and Proficiency tests for admission to an educational institution and also for student visa applications.

When applying for a student visa, applicants have to be approved by the UKVI – the UK Visas and Immigration department. To qualify to study in England, this department accepts applicants who have passed a SELT (Secure English Language Test) such as IELTS.

The English requirements that determine whether a student visa is granted are based on where the student is from, what kind of course he or she will study, and which university the applicant will apply to.

For students from outside the UK wishing to apply for a course that is below degree level, the only test accepted is the IELTS. For students wishing to study at degree level, the Cambridge English Advanced and Proficiency tests are accepted by almost all UK universities.

Watch a video from Cambridge English on YouTube.

VIDEO

Steps to successful communication for young learners

Successful communication is key to a successful future for our young learners – in a social and an academic context. Language experts from Cambridge University Press explain in a webinar some of the barriers that may prevent young learners from speaking in the EFL classroom, and provide tips for overcoming these barriers.

The barriers that prevent speaking effectively may encompass not knowing enough language and not having enough chances to use it. How then can teachers help young learners overcome these barriers? They can do this by making the classroom a safe place; acting as a mentor and not as a judge; fostering collaboration and not competition; motivating students; building confidence with carefully graded language; using a wide variety of activities to counter boredom; creating lots of opportunities for speaking practice; and encouraging meaningful expression with personalized tasks.

View the Webinar