TOEFL student - Test Of English as a Foreign Language(Educational Testing Service) Updated: 2023

You may think you’re proficient in another language, but are you really?

People are using their phones more and more to learn new languages. I see folks glued to their devices, answering multiple-choice questions on their commute, in the office or at coffee shops — all to keep their streaks alive. These apps have made new languages more accessible than ever. Whether it’s embarking on a challenge, preparing for travel, or communicating with friends or family, we are learning how to connect with other cultures just as easily as picking up our phones. Language learning app revenue is up nearly 32% year over year, and nearly 5% of all language learning already happens on our phones.

But are people actually learning new languages or simply appeasing a nagging cartoon owl? For immigrants, students and professionals, becoming proficient in a new language isn’t just a hobby — it’s their livelihood. I worry about students who believe they’ve learned another language because they’ve conquered an app, only to discover that being able to order lunch in a foreign restaurant isn’t the same as being able to defend a hypothesis in a classroom.

Learning a new language is one of the most valuable skills one can learn. We owe it to the next generation to help them measure and evaluate their progress the right way. Because when the bar for evaluating proficiency is too low, students are set up to fail. We’re already seeing examples of this in UK university admissions — students who chose to submit their Duolingo English test scores as proof of English proficiency were performing worse than their peers.

Language education cannot become a race to the bottom. The goal shouldn’t be to make sure everyone can order a beer in multiple languages. We need to make sure people have effectively learned the language of the classroom and the office so they can succeed in global settings.

Think about all the factors that go into learning a language like English. Sure, some folks might start with an app to learn the basics, but from there, immersion is essential. Truly embedding yourself in the language — from listening to music and memorizing books to having conversations with real people — is what it takes for learners to become fluent.

When it comes to measuring that level of proficiency, there should be a certain level of rigor involved.

There’s a reason why universities and employers around the world have relied on research-based assessments such as TOEFL (for study/immigration) and TOEIC (for work) as a measure of English proficiency. It’s an important part of the journey for people to enroll in a university, get new jobs and create their future. These assessments are how institutions and employers can determine whether someone knows the language enough to succeed. While other English-language assessments may be less expensive or easier to pass, do we really want to lower the bar for something as fundamental as the English language?

That’s why institutions must set and maintain high standards for the language proficiency tests and tools they accept that will deliver students and professionals a proper evaluation of where their skills stand today and how to achieve tomorrow’s success. By setting higher standards for college admission and workplace readiness, we can weed out the tests that are failing to help students and professionals flourish.

Becoming proficient in another language isn’t easy. But with the right assessment tools, people can understand their strengths and weaknesses, know instantly where they stand compared to their peers and identify areas of improvement.

As the global language learning industry continues to explode, I hope it democratizes language learning for everyone, especially considering the positive impacts multi- lingual people have on society. They are often seen as more empathetic toward others, less likely to be swayed by misleading biases and better communicators.

As we have all experienced, there are no shortcuts to learning. There are no quick fixes to understanding a new language or a new culture. When it comes to serious life milestones like going to college or working in a new country, taking the easy way out isn’t the solution. We have to stop playing games with our future.

Amit Sevak is president and CEO of ETS, a private educational assessment organization.

A single entrance test determines acceptance to the eight specialized New York City institutions, and the annual figures typically fuel discussion about the high schools’ admissions procedure.

Black and Latino students made up over two-thirds of the student total in New York City this year but received merely 10 percent of the offers to its most elite public high schools.

According to The New York Times, a single entrance test determines acceptance to the eight institutions, and the annual figures typically fuel discussion about the admissions procedure. A little fewer than 4,000 of the approximately 26,000 eighth graders who completed the test last fall received offers of admission.

Seven of the 762 offers given at Manhattan’s Stuyvesant High School went to Blacks, down from 11 last year and eight in 2021. The most elite of the city’s so-called specialized schools, Stuyvesant offered admissions to 20 Latino students, 489 Asian students and 158 White students. Students who identified as multiracial or whose race was unknown received the remaining offers.

Staten Island Technical High School offered admissions to two Black students — up from zero last year — and seven Latino students, according to The Times.

The Brooklyn Latin School welcomed 73 Black and Latino youths this year into a class of 388 students.

Specialized high schools in the city are regarded as the system’s crown jewels and draw much attention. Some studies contend students receive few advantages from attending the institutions, However, the campuses provide access to solid groups of alumni and are extremely important to many families, who see them as routes to a good university and a prosperous career.

A visible manifestation of the education system’s segregation, the schools are also where Black and Latino students have never received more than 12 percent of offers during the past 10 years.

White students were 17 percent of eighth graders who took the test this year, while Latino students were 26 percent. However, offers for white students were more than four times higher than for Latino students.

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For the current school year, tougher admissions criteria were restored, after pandemic-related easing, but data from the Education Department showed that the proportion of Black, Latino and low-income students offered spaces remained greater than before 2021, according to The Times. Decades ago, Black and Latino kids made up a substantially more significant percentage of the student body at the specialized institutions.

Politicians have been at odds on how and whether New York City mayors should try to increase access due to the present gaps at the city’s top schools. After years of bitter disputes, the administration of Mayor Eric Adams chose not to prioritize school integration.

The approach that former mayor Bill de Blasio planned, replacing the admission exam, would have increased the acceptance rate of Black and Latino students in NYC to more than 40 percent.

However, many parents and Asian politicians criticized his 2018 proposal because they believed it neglected low-income and immigrant children’s need for schools that have a ladder to the middle class.

Asian students typically receive more than half of all offers; in this year’s enrollment, they got 53 percent, The Times reported. The proposed changes would have sharply reduced their numbers.

David C. Banks, the system’s chancellor, has maintained that many Black and Latino families are more concerned with the quality of education rather than the demographics of their children’s classmates.

He supports adding seats to the city’s gifted and talented program for elementary students, opposing de Blasio’s plan to remove it, and has worked to change how students learn to read.

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The post Only 10% of students admitted to top NYC high schools were Black and Latino appeared first on TheGrio.

By India Today Education Desk: International students aspiring to study in Canada will now have another English-language testing option as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) has been approved for use in Canada's Student Direct Stream (SDS). This move, authorised by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), aims to provide students with greater flexibility and expand the pool of applicants for post-secondary designated learning institutions in the country.

Previously, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) was the sole English-language testing option accepted for the SDS route. The inclusion of TOEFL now offers students an additional choice when demonstrating their English-language proficiency.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organisation responsible for administering the TOEFL test, has expressed confidence that the premier test will provide students with an opportunity to showcase their language skills to Canadian institutions.

BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS AND INSTITUTIONS

By accepting TOEFL scores, the SDS programme aims to benefit the large number of international students who take advantage of this expedited study permit processing route each year.

Moreover, Canadian institutions can now access a broader pool of applicants, ensuring a diverse and talented student body. This development is expected to streamline the visa and admission process for Indian students, who represent a significant portion of the international student population in Canada.

The acceptance of TOEFL for the SDS route is particularly significant for Indian students, who comprise the largest student population in Canada. The change is expected to simplify the visa and admission process, making Canada an even more appealing study-abroad destination for Indian students.

Education consultants, such as Maria Mathai, Founder of MM Advisory Services, have welcomed this decision as a positive step that will benefit thousands of Indian students aspiring to study in Canadian institutions.

With the acceptance of TOEFL in the SDS program, Canada continues to position itself as an inclusive and attractive destination for international students seeking high-quality education and diverse cultural experiences.

This development further underscores Canada's commitment to fostering global connections and nurturing a vibrant academic community.

IMPLEMENTATION AND PROCESSING TIME

Starting August 10, 2023, students can include TOEFL iBT scores as part of their SDS application. According to the IRCC, most SDS applications are typically processed within 20 calendar days, provided that all eligibility requirements are met.

This streamlined processing time contributes to a smoother and more efficient experience for students pursuing their education in Canada.

TOEFL ENHANCEMENTS

The approval of TOEFL for the SDS route comes after recent enhancements announced by ETS for the English language proficiency test. These changes, effective from July 26, aim to create an optimal testing experience for individuals taking the TOEFL.

With its wide acceptance across more than 160 countries and by over 12,000 institutions, TOEFL is recognized as a reputable assessment tool by leading universities worldwide.

(With PTI inputs)

Many students dream of studying in the U.S. but the process of application and getting one’s documents in order can be overwhelming. Here is a simple guide for international students on how to choose and prepare for college admissions and to have a student visa ready on time.

Application

Many US universities are highly selective and require a fair amount of documentation so you need to start Studying several months before the application period begins.

Research different universities: The first step is to make a list of universities and colleges you want to apply to. Consider factors such as the degree programme and its length, the institute’s size and  ranking, location, culture, student diversity and so on. Most importantly, you need to apply to a university certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Visit the Study in the States website to see the list. This is necessary for obtaining your US student visa.

Prepare documents: Most universities require applicants to satisfy a number of entry requirements. Academic and English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL) requirements are usually standard, though there may be additional requirements for specialised programmes. Some US universities require standardised test scores such as SAT or ACT for undergraduate admissions and GMAT or GRE for graduate admissions. Read up on the requirements for each university to determine which tests you’ll need to take, and don’t be afraid to reach out to seek help.

Financial aid - While a US education can be expensive, many institutions offer special scholarships or awards for international students.

Work options: Depending on your visa type, you may be able to work up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters without written permission from your institution or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You may also be permitted to work full-time during winter, spring and summer breaks. However, some institutions limit student work hours during official breaks. At the graduate level, you may have the option of a Teaching Assistant position. Research options and make sure to submit all application material in a timely manner.

Determine cultural fit: Apart from the degree, choose a college that offers a rich cultural life, including extra-curricular activities, socialising events, sufficient student diversity and opportunities for recreation. You’ll live there for several years, so these are important.

Use the resources you have - Choosing a university from among the thousands can be hard, which is why each university offers information sessions, talks with guidance counsellors and campus tours to help you make a decision. Take advantage of these, especially if you get accepted to multiple colleges.

Documents

Here’s a broad list of documents you will need for the application.

High school certificates and grades, diplomas and degree testamurs and results.

English proficiency test results.

A resume of your academics, extra-curricular activities, accomplishments and interests

A Statement ofPurpose detailing why you want to attend the university in question

Letters of recommendation from your teachers/professors (depending on what the university wants)

Test score cards from the standardised tests you give

Experience letter from any jobs/internships you have done

Visa process

If you’re joining an undergraduate or graduate degree programme, you’ll need the F Student Visa. If you’re going on an exchange programme from your home university, you’ll need the J Exchange Visa. The process itself isn’t too hard but get started well in advance to avoid any unexpected delays.

The process involves obtaining an I-20 form from your SEVP certified school (as part of this, you need to prove that you have enough funds to cover the cost of tuition and fees, living expenses, health insurance for the duration of your study), paying necessary visa application fees, completing the DS-160 form, attending a visa interview, and arriving in the U.S. This link provides details from the Department of State: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html

Tips

Currently visa processing is taking longer than usual. Expect delays and start your application as soon as possible.

Check your preferred institutions’ entry requirements to make sure you are a good match. Have ‘backup’ schools that you can apply to if you don’t get in.

Whenever possible, reach out to current or former students of the university so that you can get a clear picture of life on campus. Many universities will connect you directly with their students if you request it.

Reach out to friends, teachers and family for guidance with your application. Your school may even have a support centre for international applicants, where you’ll get advice on how to prepare your application packet and how to pick the best university for your needs.

The writer is the Chief Advisor for South Asia, International Admissions, University of Arizona.

The Bilingual Undergraduate Studies for Collegiate Advancement (BUSCA) allows Latinx students to earn a four-semester associate of arts degree from La Salle University with a concentration in English. 

Fall 2023 marks BUSCA's 30th anniversary—in an interview with AL DÍA, Joanne Woods, BUSCA program director, shares the importance of being Latino enhancing and supporting Latinx students in developing their foundational knowledge, improving their academic and language skills in a space that is nurturing and demanding. 

Latino enhancing 

Created in 1993, BUSCA has grown from a six-student cohort taught in Spanish to then, for many years, it was 80% in Spanish and 20% in English— taking approximately six years to develop the academic language, therefore, switching to a program that is primarily now taught in English. 

BUSCA usually has approximately 60 new students starting each fall—to try and keep class size between 15-20, which is what is recommended by the Modern Language Association, allowing students to have “robust conversations while also allowing students time to get individual attention from the instructors,” explained Woods. 

The associate degree program has 60 credits or 20 classes, of which 17 of those are in English. However, since BUSCA is a bilingual program, students take three courses in Spanish for two reasons: to Latino enhance and prepare students to work in the Latino community if that is what they aspire to do. 

“We want to be Latino enhancing to make sure that the students know that their culture, including their language, is valued,” Woods assures. “We want to make sure that they have the academic Spanish.” 

The program wants Latinx students to be able to market themselves and go into the Latino community fully bilingual with the academic language in their native tongue, Spanish. 

The curriculum offers two “Spanish for Heritage Speakers” and “Spanish and Hispanic Cinema” courses as part of the sheltered immersion protocol—develop the vocabulary needed for assignments and ensure students have the required background knowledge to complete tasks outside of class. BUSCA instructors assist students in developing the four domains of the English language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  

Before the pandemic, La Salle was a test-flexible institution, with only limited programmatic exceptions until October 2020, when it “expanded its admission protocol to become fully test-optional for all undergraduate programs,” as reported by La Salle News. 

BUSCA does not require SAT testing as part of its admissions protocol but a free English language assessment to students—the program looks for intermediate English language users—a person who knows present, past, and future tenses. Although perfect usage is not necessary for the program, some background understanding of those tenses is because the goal is to “get them out of the intermediate zone and into the advanced zone while they are in BUSCA,” Woods reiterated. 

Participants of the program are also considered a student at La Salle University and have access to all buildings and tutoring services. 

Latino producing

BUSCA is concerned about Latinx enhancing and Latinx producing; reasons why Woods recognizes that “most of our people, most of our applicants, our students are going to be working.” The program is at night, and although many universities close their offices at 4:30 pm, members of BUSCA stay until 6:00 pm or 6:15 pm to see if students need assistance. 

“We recognize that even the people in BUSCA, who may not have their own children, may have responsibilities for their siblings, or maybe they are living with an aunt or uncle and helping take care of their cousins,” Woods said. “Whatever the situation is, the admissions counselors work very closely with the person.” 

The program is committed to Latinx students' success. It continues to help graduates who may require guidance. However, La Salle provides services to assist this population of students. 

We are hopefully lifting a family and improving generational wealth.

BUSCA students who pursue a Bachelor’s degree have the English skills needed to be successful. Worth noting is that BUSCA offers free tuition to students that qualify for full-tuition aid or Pell Grant. Additionally, the program grants at least two scholarships to people excluded from qualifying for federal aid. 

“BUSCA graduates are equipped to continue their education and to become lifelong learners and empowered bilingual leaders in our communities and society,” the website says.

BUSCA has received funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities to offer a free pre-BUSCA program to applicants who need additional support to demonstrate the level of English necessary to enter BUSCA.

I would recommend BUSCA to new students because they will not only help you get through your classes but also, they would listen to all your concerns and walk you through the rough path, said Lina Barrios, BUSCA, and La Salle graduate. 

TNM has learnt that the Education Department is planning to share the Aadhaar data with other government departments, like Health and Transport, to track all aspects of a student’s academic life.

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The Relationship with MU a Cornerstone of EEIQ's Strategy of Internationalization

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio, May 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EpicQuest Education Group International Limited (NASDAQ: EEIQ), ("EpicQuest Education", "EEIQ" or the "Company"), a provider of comprehensive education solutions for domestic and international students seeking college and university degrees in the US, Canada and the UK, today announced that on May 24, 2023, its wholly owned subsidiary, Quest Holding International LLC ("Quest") and Miami University entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (the "Agreement"). The Agreement sets forth the terms for Quest to recruit international students residing outside of the US for admission to the Miami University English Language Center at the Miami University Regional Campuses. The Agreement is for five-years as compared to the previous three-year agreements during the past decade; the current agreement will begin on July 1, 2023 and end on June 30, 2028.

Jianbo Zhang, Chairman and CEO of EpicQuest Education, commented "We are extremely pleased to renew our agreement with Miami University to recruit international students for the English Language Center at Miami University Regionals. The program offers international students the potential entrée into an elite US university with world-class facilities and an outstanding academic faculty. It also offers international students transformative experiences in terms of personal growth, an expanded worldview and a wider set of employment opportunities."

"Our strategic plan is to achieve sustainable growth through our strategy of internationalization. This does not only refer to our owned and operated colleges, but also includes our recruiting relationship with Miami University Regional Campuses. To achieve our strategic goals, we are focused on broadening our academic programming and diversifying and growing our student base. We believe that we occupy a distinct niche in the education field and that our strategy of internationalization brings out the very best in academia and student achievement. The five-year renewal agreement with MU is vitally important to the realization of EpicQuest's strategic growth plan since its longer-term horizon will serve as a key cornerstone for our business, and propel the Company forward to fully implement its internationalization plans."

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EpicQuest Education has a long-term recruitment relationship with the Miami University Regionals for the Middletown and Hamilton campuses which dates back to 2013. The Company offers comprehensive 'One-Stop' services to international study abroad students attending the MU English Language Center including pick-up services, private housing, dining facilities, a gym, a student life center, safety guidance for freshmen, academic guidance, advice for further education, legal aid and medical escorting.

EEIQ's wholly owned subsidiary, Quest, coordinates the pre-attendance service needs of students while its US office coordinates and provides the genuine study abroad and post-study services. Quest is also responsible for developing the overseas recruitment market for the MU English Language Center, which includes assisting with English language testing, student applications, visa services, pre-departure training, pick-up arrangements, or any other accommodation arrangements as may be required. The English Language Center at Miami University Regionals continues to be a popular option for international students as it offers a clear pathway to achieving both a bachelor's and advanced university degrees.

The Miami University English Language Center ("ELC") at Miami University Regionals

The Miami University English Language Center ("ELC") is an intensive English language program at the Miami University Regional campuses ("MUR") that provides English language instruction to non-native speakers of English. International students who satisfactorily meet ELC required courses may enroll as a fully admitted MUR campus student. Additional activities at MUR may include visits to sites of local, regional and national interest as well as on-campus activities designed to enhance international students' understanding of American college campus life and the culture of the US. For more information, please visit https://miamioh.edu/regionals/academics/english-language-center/.

About Miami University Regionals

Miami University Regionals ("MUR") includes three community-based locations of Miami University in Hamilton, Middletown and West Chester. MUR provides open access for diverse learners to high-quality applied education grounded in the liberal arts and offers bachelor's and associate degrees with over 30 majors, some of which are completely available online. MUR provides access to a high-quality Miami University education at an affordable price, offering one of the lowest tuition rates among Ohio four-year universities. Miami University is known as a "Public Ivy" for its Ivy League collegiate experience at a public school price. and is a highly regarded public university with a national reputation. MUR had a Fall 2022 enrollment of approximately 3,500 students. For more information, please visit https://miamioh.edu/about/regionals.html.

About EpicQuest Education Group International Limited

EpicQuest Education Group International Limited ("EpicQuest Education" or the "Company") provides comprehensive education solutions for domestic and international students seeking university and college degrees in the US, Canada and the UK. The Company owns and operates EduGlobal College, based in British Columbia, Canada, which focuses on English proficiency educational programming for students pursuing academic degrees. The Company operates and is a 70% owner of Davis College, a career training college located in Toledo, Ohio. In addition, the Company has a recruiting relationship with the Miami University Regional campuses, where it maintains student residential facilities, a full-service cafeteria, recreational facilities, shuttle buses and an office for the regional campuses that provides study abroad and post-study counseling services for its students; these facilities are not owned, maintained, operated or are a part of Miami University. The Company is also a recruiting agent for the University of the West of Scotland (through The Education Group (London) Ltd) and Coventry University, both of which are located in the UK. For more information, please visit https://www.epicquesteducation.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain of the statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning and protections of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, the Company's ability to meet the minimum student ensure described and to implement its international strategy as described. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause the genuine results, performance, capital, ownership or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as "may," "will," "anticipate," "assume," "should," "indicate," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "expect," "estimate," "continue," "plan," "point to," "project," "could," "intend," "target" and other similar words and expressions of the future.

All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties described in our most accurate Form 20-F and otherwise in our SEC reports and filings. Such reports are available upon request from the Company, or from the Securities and Exchange Commission, including through the SEC's Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date hereof, or after the respective dates on which any such statements otherwise are made.

Contacts:

EpicQuest Education Group International Limited
+1 513-649-8350
info@epicquesteducation.com

Investor Relations:
Precept Investor Relations LLC
David Rudnick
+1 646-694-8538
david.rudnick@preceptir.com

Source: EpicQuest Education Group International Limited

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SOURCE EpicQuest Education Group International Limited