April 8, 2011 – 4:59PM. AAP
Nine people have been charged with a total of 59 bribery offences following a West Australian corruption hearing into the manipulation of English-language competency tests.
The Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) has charged the men over allegations that English test scores were falsified to help international students obtain visas and residency in Australia.
Applicants for permanent residency and work or student visas must prove their competence under the International English Testing System (IELTS), which is relied upon by the Department of Immigration.
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A former Curtin University staffer who was employed at the Curtin University English Language Centre is among the men facing charges.
The offences are alleged to have occurred over a 12-month period from June 2009.
CCC spokesman Trevor Wynn said the corruption watchdog would allege the former Curtin employee dealt with intermediaries who shared the bribes paid by the candidates.
The CCC would also allege candidates paid amounts ranging from $1500 to $11,000 to have their test scores altered, Mr Wynn said.
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Tags: English
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9 Aug 2010, 1422 hrs IST,AGENCIES
CANBERRA: Australia’s decision to raise the English language standard among nurses in the country, and to deport international student nurses after their visas expire if they fail to meet the language requirements, would affect Indian nurses aspiring to work there the most.
Many international nurses would face uncertainty if they fail in English literacy test at level seven, the language requirement set by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
“The English language standard is set at a level to ensure that all nurses and midwives are able to communicate effectively – verbally and in writing, with their patients and with other healthcare professionals,” The Australian quoted the newly formed Nursing and Midwifery Board, as saying.
“The role of the board is to protect the public,” it added.
The board has raised its minimum English language standards, effectively denying the student nurses registration.
Students who have just graduated mid-year, or are about to graduate, say they received no notice of the change before it came into effect on July 1.
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By YEGANEH JUNE TORBATI. Published: July 17, 2010
WASHINGTON — The Educational Testing Service has announced that it is temporarily suspending registration for its tests in Iran, including the popular Test of English as a Foreign Language, in what may be one of the first tangible effects of the new sanctions levied against the country by the international community.
Experts and Iranian expatriates were appalled, saying that if the sanctions prohibited Iranians from studying abroad, they would hurt precisely the kind of outward-looking young Iranians the West would like to help.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language, or Toefl, is a widely recognized measure of English proficiency and is often used by Western universities in evaluating international students for admission.
The statement posted on the E.T.S. Web site on Wednesday cited the United Nations Security Council resolution “affecting banks and financial institutions that conduct business in Iran.
“As a result of this resolution, E.T.S. is currently unable to process payments from Iran,” the statement said.
In an interview with the Iranian Mehr news agency, Ibrahim Khodai, an official at the organization that manages student testing in Iran, said the organization had run into problems paying registration fees to the company, and that currently students could not take the test.
However, he said that the test’s cancellation was unrelated to the latest sanctions against Iran, and he instead cited “problems we’ve had in paying registration fees to the E.T.S., an American organization.”
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By TOM GODFREY, Last Updated: July 1, 2010 6:09pm
Highly-skilled workers from the U.S., Britain and other countries may have to wait longer to get to Canada as they must now pass English or French tests to obtain a visa.
New rules, which took effect June 26, have angered some Toronto immigration lawyers who claim the testing will require foreign workers to wait up to six months longer to obtain a visa for Canada. It now takes as long as three years to get a visa, they said.
“This will make it harder for people who are applying to come here as skilled workers,” said Toronto immigration lawyer Mendel Green. “They now have to go and get tested in English proficiency before they can apply.”
Green said the change may discourage potential applicants from the U.S., Britain, Australia and other English-speaking countries. He said many English-speaking applicants are highly trained and educated.
“It is a waste of time for those people waiting to be processed,” added Green. Applicants will have to submit proof of proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages through a language testing facility such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test D’évaluation de Français (TEF), according to an immigration website.
In the past, applicants had the option of proving their language ability through a test or a written submission, which was intended for English or French speakers.
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YANGON, June 27 (Xinhua) — A Korean language proficiency test for Myanmar citizens studying the language will be launched in two Myanmar cities — Yangon and Mandalay in late September, according to education circle here on Sunday.
Sponsored by the South Korean Embassy here, the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) will take place on Sept. 12 at the Myanmar Info Tech in Yangon and Swan Hotel in Mandalay simultaneously.
The test will be divided into three levels — basic, intermediate and advance, said sources from the education circle, adding that the test includes vocabulary, grammar, writing, listening and reading.
The application will close on July 14, the sources quoted the embassy as saying.
Such kind of Korean language test was also held in September last year, earlier report said.
According to an agreement between labor ministries of Myanmar and South Korea signed in November 2007 on employment of Myanmar workers in the East Asian country, Myanmar workers seeking jobs there with employment permit system are required to pass the Korean language test carried out by the two ministries.
Myanmar and South Korea have been stepping up cooperation in education sector with the Department of Education of Chonnam National University of Korea offering to conduct Korean language course, testing of the language, compilation and distribution of Myanmar-Korean language dictionary among others.
(more…)
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Número de inscritos na prova de Espanhol disparou de 507, em 2008, para 2081 no ano seguinte. Hoje são 2811.
Mais de oito mil alunos estão inscritos para fazer hoje exames de línguas: Alemão, Espanhol, Francês e Inglês. E apesar de o Inglês ser ainda a prova com mais alunos (3086), o Espanhol começa a aproximar-se – com 2811 matrículas – tendo já ultrapassado largamente as outras duas.
Este ano, no geral, há mais inscritos que no ano passado, mas o Espanhol tem vindo a crescer acima da média: em 2008 eram apenas 507 e no ano seguinte eram já 2081. Hoje, há 2811 inscritos. Mais 1922 na prova de Francês e 932 em Alemão.
“Até há pouco tempo era difícil abrir aulas de Espanhol nas escolas, mas fruto da procura dos alunos, são cada vez mais as escolas que oferecem esta disciplina”, explica Noelia Juárez, da Associação Portuguesa de Professores de Espanhol Língua Estrangeira (APPELE). Os estudantes procuram a língua porque “pensam que vai ser muito mais fácil que o Francês e o Alemão e vão ter uma nota mais alta e melhorar a média”, explica a professora.
Essa é a principal razão, mas a possibilidade de ir estudar ou trabalhar em Espanha vem logo a seguir, argumenta. “Já preparei muitos alunos para irem estudar Medicina para universidades es- panholas”, acrescenta. Além disso, Noelia Juárez acredita que há cada vez uma maior influência da cultura hispânica, já que a língua é falada por 400 milhões em todo o mundo.
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Es el primer estado que donde se entregan este tipo de certificados en idioma inglés avalados por la SEP Federal
México, D.F. | Martes 15 de junio de 2010. Rafael Robledo
La Secretaría de Educación Pública de Hidalgo entregó las primeras 33 Certificaciones Nacionales de Nivel de Idioma (CENNI) lo que la convierte en la primer entidad en el país en otorgar este tipo de certificados en idioma inglés avalados por la SEP federal, informó en un comunicado la dependencia estatal.
Este tipo de certificaciones que se dan a estudiantes, tiene como objetivo establecer un marco nacional de referencia para la evaluación y certificación de idiomas orientado a elevar la calidad educativa en la materia, especialmente en el caso de la enseñanza del idioma inglés como lengua extranjera.
La CENNI tiene entre sus objetivos operar como instrumento de referencia común para la evaluación, acreditación y certificación de idiomas, fomentar el aprecio por los idiomas y su aprendizaje, así como fortalecer la medición objetiva de conocimientos en un idioma determinado, en este caso del inglés.
Esta certificación está sustentada en más de 40 instrumentos de evaluación reconocidos y desarrollados por diversas instituciones nacionales y del extranjero como la Universidad de Cambridge, Estandar Test Services y otras instituciones, especialmente aquellas reconocidas por la Asociación Europea Evaluadora de Idiomas (ALTE).
Cabe mencionar que la Certificación Nacional de Nivel de Idioma puede ser obtenida por toda persona que presente y apruebe la evaluación correspondiente, la cual toma en cuenta aspectos de compresión, expresión e interacción oral, escrita y audiovisual, del idioma inglés.
Source: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/687881.html
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jeudi 10.06.2010, 05:09 – La Voix du Nord
Alors que le ciel s’assombrit sur la pérennité de l’apprentissage de la langue polonaise …
dans les lycées et les collèges de la région, une magnifique éclaircie est venue remonter le moral de celles et ceux qui se battent pour maintenir le polonais, langue du sixième pays de l’Union européenne par son nombre d’habitants.
Lundi et mardi, un jury venu de Varsovie et Cracovie a passé à la moulinette d’un examen de très haut niveau vingt-cinq postulants à la certification de la langue polonaise, un diplôme permettant d’exercer officiellement dans les administrations et les entreprises polonaises. Pour Maryla Laurent, maître de conférences en études polonaises, c’est l’aboutissement d’un long travail, couronné par un sans-faute car les vingt-cinq postulants ont été reçus.
Cette certification, délivrée par les ministères de l’Éducation nationale et des Affaires étrangères polonais, a été créée en 2004, année de l’entrée de la Pologne dans l’Union européenne. Dès 2005, le consulat général de Pologne de Lille a mis en place une première session qui a permis à douze lauréats d’obtenir la certification. Cinq ans plus tard, une nouvelle session permet à vingt-cinq personnes de confirmer la pertinence de cet apprentissage à Lille III. Une pertinence affirmée par Constantin Bobas, directeur de l’UFR, qui a fait part de sa satisfaction, tout en annonçant que Maryla Laurent est nommée officiellement, à date du 1er septembre, à la direction de la chaire de polonais.
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LONDON, Wed Jun 9, 2010 10:59am BST. Reporting by Stefano Ambrogi; Editing by Steve Addison
(Reuters) – Immigrants from outside the European Union who marry British citizens and move to the UK will need to take a compulsory English language test first, under plans fast-tracked by the government on Wednesday.
The new rules were to have been introduced by the previous Labour government in 2011, but will now come into force in the autumn.
During their election campaign, the Conservatives said immigration is too high and pledged to take action.
All non-European migrants will need to demonstrate basic communication skills that enable them to integrate into society before being eligible for a visa.
The rules will apply to spouses, fiancees and unmarried couples who already live in Britain as well as new applicants.
Home Secretary Theresa May said being able to speak English was a pre-requisite for anyone wanting to settle in Britain.
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Natalia Barragán. Mié, 02/06/2010 – 13:47
Guadalajara.- Aquellas personas que aprendan el español como segunda lengua ya no tendrán problemas para que esta competencia lingüística sea reconocida. Por lo menos en alrededor de 14 países de Latinoamericana, ya que 108 de sus universidades firmaron el convenio marco del Sistema Internacional de Certificación del Español como Lengua Extranjera (SICELE).
El SICELE, promovido por el Instituto Cervantes, de España, tiene como objetivo de reglar y garantizar la calidad de la enseñanza del español; establecer estándares comunes de evaluación; otorgar la certificación internacional de quienes aprenden el idioma como segunda lengua.
Carmen Caffarel, director del Instituto Cervantes, explicó que la idea es que una persona que aprende español en una universidad firmantes del convenio, esa competencia se le sea reconocida internacionalmente en cualquiera de los países en los que se establecen las instituciones miembros del SICELE.
“El español es una lengua de futuro […] que abre a las personas la posibilidad de encontrar trabajo, de mejorar en el empleo que ya tienen. El español vale como una garantía para que más de 21 mil países podamos establecer relaciones comerciales sin tener que cambiar la lengua, y esa es la gran fuerza que tenemos”, indicó.
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Bernard Lane. The Australian. May 19, 2010 12:00AM
A MONOPOLY enjoyed by the English language test IELTS is likely to be broken up.
Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Evans has given in-principle approval for rival tests to be officially recognised for checks of English proficiency when overseas students or workers seek visas.
“We’re very hopeful. There’s really no objective reason why TOEFL [the US-based Test of English as a Foreign Language] could not be confidently used in the Australian [immigration] context,” said Eileen Tyson, a TOEFL representative in Australia this month for talks.
TOEFL, which dates back to 1964, and a new test from global publisher Pearson are known to have applied to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for official status.
IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, which emerged from British and Australian collaboration, has had a monopoly since 2001 when the department mandated its test for student visas. It has also enjoyed a near monopoly for skilled migration. IELTS has struggled at times to keep up with the demand for its tests, leading to complaints about waiting times.
Helen Cook, who works with TOEFL in Australia, said insistence on IELTS by the department could be a disincentive for potential overseas students who had a TOEFL result for admission to an Australian university.
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Javier Carvajal, 16-05-2010
Con el objetivo de mejorar la calidad y el nivel de la enseñanza del Centro de Idiomas UAS de esta ciudad, se certificaron a 32 maestros.
Rigoberto Rodríguez García informó que por medio del examen IELTS, que aplica la universidad de Cambridge, de Inglaterra se certificó de manera internacional a los profesores.
El coordinador general de los Centros de Idiomas de la UAS en Sinaloa dijo que esta prueba es la más aplicada en el mundo para los postgrados y el idioma ingles.
“Esta certificación de los maestros, nos garantiza que la impartición de clases y los jóvenes que van al Centro de Idiomas, salgan altamente preparados en el ingles”, aseguró.
Rodríguez García externó que en esta primera etapa se está certificando a la planta docente, y en la segunda será a los alumnos.
“El 22 de este mes estaremos otra vez aquí, pero ahora para certificar a estudiantes”, destacó.
(more…)
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Tue, May 11, 2010, The Sunday Times. By Janadas Devan, Review Editor
Many foreigners would have been baffled by the passion Singaporeans have displayed debating the place of the mother tongue languages in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).
Such intensity over an examination for 12-year-olds? Such furore over whether the mother tongues should have the same weight as mathematics or English for entry to secondary schools? Can the future of Chinese, Malay or Indian culture here really turn on the PSLE?
People are passionate about this issue because language equals identity. We use mathematics; we not only use but also are the languages we speak. Nobody is likely to feel justified knowing eight multiplied by eight is 64; we are justified by the culture that shapes our world-view and the language that gives us access to that culture.
The equation of language and identity, moreover, tends to be sharper in multilingual societies than in monolingual ones. A Chinese in Beijing, for example, wouldn’t spend any time wondering if he is Chinese; he simply is. By contrast, questions of identity can become fraught for Chinese in Singapore precisely because one can choose between languages in multilingual societies – and with that, there is the possibility of particular identities atrophying.
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Por: Redacción/Ciudad Victoria. 25/04/2010
Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas.-En el compromiso de ofrecer a su población estudiantil y al público en general, oportunidades que les permitan ser competitivos y responder a las demandas del mercado profesional y laboral, la Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas a través del Centro de Lenguas y Lingüística Aplicada del Campus Victoria impulsa de manera permanente el Programa de Certificaciones Internacionales de Idioma Inglés.
Para fortalecer este importante servicio, la UAT ha establecido convenios con organizaciones líderes que gozan de reconocimiento internacional en el desarrollo de certificaciones de inglés como British Council en México, Educational Testing Service de los Estados Unidos y la Universidad de Cambridge, Inglaterra.
El titular del departamento de certificaciones del CELLAP, Dr. Alberto Mora informó que esta dependencia forma parte de la red del British Council para aplicar los exámenes de Cambridge ESOL como el Preliminary English Test (PET) y el First Certificate in English (FCE), que a la fecha ha llevado más de 20 sesiones de exámenes FCE y certificado a más de 200 estudiantes y profesores de inglés.
Comentó que para propósitos académicos, el CELLAP es centro autorizado del Educational Testing Service para aplicar la versión más reciente del examen TOEFL Internet Based (iBT), teniéndose a la fecha la aplicación de más de 25 sesiones que han beneficiado a 155 sustentantes de Tamaulipas y estados vecinos como Nuevo León.
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Reported by Chen Yi-hsuan. Written by Lydia Ma
Taiwan’s first and only Taiwanese language certification center officially opened its doors on April 17 at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). The center will begin testing services in July.
PCT Associate General Secretary Sing ‘Olam and other PCT pastors were invited to attend an opening ceremony on that day, which featured traditional dance and Taiwanese puppet show.
According to Rev. Sing ‘Olam, every pastor must pass a test for Taiwanese proficiency as part of a list of requirements in becoming a PCT minister. It is likely that PCT will collaborate with NCKU Center for Taiwanese Languages Testing for this test in the future.
Wi-Vun Taiffalo Chiung, the center’s director and associate professor at NCKU, said the center will be managed as an independent organization under NCKU and its finances will henceforth be independent from the university. The center was formerly a program run by NCKU Department of Taiwanese Literature.
The goals of this center are to improve the way Taiwanese is taught across the nation’s schools and increase the quality of Taiwanese language testing and certification services. These objectives also correspond to UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.
Source: http://enews.pctpress.org/3034/3034_1.htm
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Sunday April 25, 2010. By TAN SHIOW CHIN
Classes and tests for foreign languages are available for various levels of proficiency in Malaysia.
THE level of proficiency one wishes to attain in a foreign language varies as each individual has a personal objective in learning the language.
Casual learners, who might just want to be able to carry out simple conversations in the language, probably fulfil their objective by completing the basic or intermediate level of classes.
But those intending to study or migrate to a country where the language is spoken might need to go up to the advanced levels.
A common framework
In Europe, the Council of Europe launched the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in 2001.
The Council of Europe, which has 47 member states, seeks to develop common practices based on democratic and legal principles throughout the continent.
According to the Council’s website, the CEFR is meant to provide “a practical tool for setting clear standards to be attained at successive stages of learning and for evaluating outcomes in an internationally comparable manner”.
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TNN, Mar 28, 2010, 10.13pm IST
LUDHIANA: Punjab School Education Board is preparing to offer an easy way to those who want to appear in exam of the state language. It has decided to conduct Punjabi exams every three months. This is expected to encourage the use of the language and provide relief to all those coming from other states but unable to appear in the board’s tests.
At present, candidates who want to apply for government jobs in the state have the opportunity to appear for the test only once in year, which comes during the board exams in March. Only those people can get jobs in Punjab, who have passed Class-X board exam of the language.
“I have been in Ludhiana for last three years working in a private bank. I want to work in government sector but have been unable to appear for it as I have not studied Punjabi in class X,” said Aman Sharma who hails from Himachal Pradesh. He added that as the board conducted the exam in March and April he could not appear for that as the fiscal year ended at the time and financial organizations did not allow employees to take leave.
Echoing a similar opinion, Mona, who is from Haryana, said that it would be a very good step if taken properly by the board. “Thousands of job seekers would benefit from this move,” she added. Mona stated that when candidates got four chances in the year, there won’t be a desperate rush for appearing for the exam. Vice-chairman of Punjab School Education Board Dr Suresh Tandon said that the decision had been taken in a meeting on March 19 where along with the proposal for semester system, another for encouraging Punjabi was also approved.
(more…)
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Shirley WIJESINGHE
All arrangements have been finalised to hold the Official Language Proficiency examination for public servants by the Department of Examinations in collaboration with the Official Language Department, a Senior Official told the Daily News yesterday.
According to him, the official languages( Sinhala and Tamil ) proficiency of public servants will be measured at three skill levels primary, secondary and special by a islandwide examination.
Applications have already been called for the written examination which will be accepted up to August 21, 2009. The respective written test will be conducted by the Examinations Department in November this year. The oral test will be conducted in due course, the official added.
Applications could be submitted to the Examinations Commissioner General, Sri Lanka Examination Department, Planing and Foreign Examination Branch, Sri Lanka Examinations Department, Pelawatte, Battaramulla, through Heads of the Department under registered post.
A test to measure the English Language proficiency of public servants will be held subsequently, he said.
Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/07/30/news33.asp
Tags: Sinhala, Tamil
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Saturday 25 July 2009 (02 Sha`ban 1430). Roger Harrison
JEDDAH: The British Council celebrated the successful completion of its second women’s Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) course in Jeddah recently. The 12 students, many already teaching, were graded and assessed and now face a two-month wait for independent ratification of their results by the Cambridge Examination Board. Significantly for this premiere English language teaching qualification, none had English as their first language, though some were completely bilingual.
“There is a consistent and very high demand for the course,” commented Paula Ellis, the course support tutor. “Some of the students traveled from Riyadh and Dammam especially to enroll.” The course is full-time and lasts for four weeks.
Ellis said that the candidates came from a range of nationalities and backgrounds. Some were already engaged in full-time teaching of English. “The fact that you may not be a native speaker of English is not a barrier to learning to teach to CELTA standards, because the course is about teaching, not facility with language.” She added that the selection process was “quite stringent”.
“I am quite sure there is an untapped reserve of potential teachers here,” she noted. “The CELTA is not about language; it is concerned with learning and adopting strategies that get the language across in an effective student-centered way in a communicative classroom.”
(more…)
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12-07-2009 , 08:53 GMT
UOWD says many new applicants face rejection because they fail the mandatory IELTS and TOEFL tests
Students seeking admission to universities accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education and Scientific Research should start preparing for the English proficiency tests months before applying for admission, as lack of preparation results in applicants not achieving the required score in IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) tests to commence studies.
Passing either IELTS or TOEFL tests is one of the admission eligibility criteria laid down by the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research for all accredited universities in the UAE.
The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), one of three authorized IELTS centers in the UAE, saw a 46 per cent increase in students applying for IELTS tests in 2008. On an average, some 5,000 students appear for the IELTS tests and another 1,500 do the TOEFL tests annually at UOWD alone, according to Sandra Lee, Registrar and Manager Admissions, UOWD.
“It is common to see a sizable number of applicants to our undergraduate and postgraduate programs failing the IELTS or TOEFL tests,” says Lee. “We advise prospective students to apply for preparatory IELTS classes well before submitting the admission applications. These tests have a validity of two years, so the sooner students clear them, the better it is for them, because they can then concentrate on their studies immediately on admission.”
(more…)
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Monday, 13 July 2009. Chamikara Weerasinghe
Cultural relations between Sri Lanka and Germany will be enhanced following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on German language teacher training programs on July 10 between Director Goethe Institut (German Cultural Centre) Richard Lang and Principal Colombo Musaeus College S. Dandeniya.
The German Cultural Centre will assist the school by extending its German language training programs to the school’s teachers under its world-wide partner school initiative, “Schools: Partners for the Future”(PASCH) in keeping with this memorandum of understanding.
Among the signatories were Acting ambassador of Germany Dr. Stefan Weckbach and Chairman of Musaeus College Ajita De Zoysa. “Signing this contract will strengthen our relations with Sri Lanka for a long time,” said Goethe Institute Director Lang after signing the MoU, “This will give substantial advantages for the teachers and the pupils alike.”
The teachers will be systematically trained in German with the goal of clearing the ‘Zertifikat Deutsch’(‘German language certificate’)exam after training them in basic German. Afterwards, they will take part in a special training program in teaching methodology and didactics accompanied by regular language classes at upper-intermediate levels under this initiative.
(more…)
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YANGON, July 5 (Xinhua) — A Japanese language proficiency test for Myanmar citizens will be held in the former capital of Yangon in late this year to boost language communication between peoples of Myanmar and Japan, according to Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA) Sunday.
Sponsored by the Japanese Embassy and the MAJA, the 11th Japanese language proficiency test will take place on December 6 at the Japanese Embassy here, the sources said, adding that the test will cover four levels.
Meanwhile, the 10th Japanese speech contest was held in Myanmar under the title of “Together Toward the Future, Mekong and Japan” in last May and four winners were produced out of 15 contestants.
Myanmar and Japan have been cooperating closely in the culture sector. Some Japanese film festivals were held over the last few months in Myanmar, while a special piano and flute concert by famous Japanese artists Hiroshi Matsushima and Yoshimi Matsushima is to take place in Myanmar’s Yangon and Mandalay in August this year under the Japan-Mekong exchange year program.
The program has introduced music concert, film festival, get-together party, and Japanese speech contest every month since January this year.
Other programs to be added include Karatedo contest, Ekabana flower decoration show, Japanese fashion show, Japanese singing contest, Judo contest and film festivals respectively.
(more…)
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02-07-2009
CULIACÁN._Dentro del programa Inglés en Primaria, 8 mil 695 alumnos de todo el estado recibieron certificados de acreditación en esta materia.
El Gobernador Jesús Aguilar Padilla manifestó que con la enseñanza de este idioma en las escuelas primarias los niños serán más competitivos como estudiantes y como profesionistas, ya que además del inglés se está complementando su educación con el uso de computadoras, dos herramientas que son básicas para el desarrollo profesional en la actualidad.
“Esto va a hacer posible que ustedes tengan oportunidades claras, precisas el día de mañana, felicito a los padres de familia y a los maestros, y les reitero la posibilidad y la decisión de mi gobierno para seguir trabajando en una educación de calidad para los líderes del mañana de Sinaloa”, expresó.
El Mandatario estatal dijo que a partir del próximo ciclo escolar se duplicará el sistema de becas Becasin, además que se ampliará el programa de entrega de mochilas y útiles escolares para 100 mil niños de escasos recursos y alumnos de excelencia del estado.
Dolores Arvide Cuevas, Directora General del Órgano Regulador y Evaluador del Programa Inglés en Primarias, de la Secretaría de Educación Pública federal, explicó que los alumnos fueron certificados mediante el examen TOIEC Bridge, el cual mide en puntos los conocimientos adquiridos en el idioma inglés a lo largo de la educación primaria.
(more…)
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June 29, 2009
Storm Lake High School senior honor student Lori Phanachone drew local, state and national attention when the Lao-American teen refused earlier this year to take a mandatory English proficiency test that she considered to be “insulting and degrading.”
Protesting and heated debate over punishment of the student ensued, but the stress of that period was well worth it, Phanachone said, as her former district has taken a leading role to revise an English Language Learner Plan.
“I’m glad my taking a stand has led Storm Lake to improve it’s ELL classification policy,” she said this week as a small ceremony was held to mark the signing of a memorandum noting the policy changes.
“Now other students who would be misclassified under the old policy would have a chance to be reclassified as English proficient.” She hopes “no student is ever misclassified again.”
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund in New York, which represented the student in negotiations with the district, issues a commendation to the Storm Lake Schools this week for their new action.
“Storm Lake School District has created a comprehensive new ELL classification policy…which sets forth clear steps for identification and classification of ELL students,” said Brian Redondo of the AALDEF Education Educational Equity and Youth Rights Project. He said the policy will be retroactive, and will immediately affect some 1,000 district ELL students.
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Tags: English
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Published on Apr 30, 2009 – 6:47:08 AM
SACRAMENTO, April 29, 2009 – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today released the results of the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) that showed an increase in the percentage of English learner students scoring at the advanced and early advanced performance levels compared to last year. These results are used to calculate Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) for federal accountability.
“I’m pleased to report that this year marks another increase in the number of English learners who are scoring at the top-performance levels,” O’Connell said. “Becoming proficient in English is vital to students’ success in school and in life. As English learners achieve greater proficiency, they are more likely to reach higher academic levels in all their subjects. It is important that California schools help all students become fluent in English as quickly as possible.”
The CELDT annually assesses listening and speaking skills of English learners in kindergarten and first grade, and listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in grades two through twelve. Beginning in the 2009-10 school year, students in kindergarten and first grade will also be assessed on their reading and writing skills.
Compared to the rest of the nation, California has the greatest number of students whose primary language is not English. More than 100 languages are spoken by the state’s English learners, of which approximately 85 percent speak Spanish.
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Tags: English
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