ESL Directory | Helpful Resources for Learning English

Comparing English Speaking Countries

Posted on February 22, 2012 by jfrankel

It can be hard to decide where to pursue your English immersion experience or international student opportunities. Prominent and ever-popular destinations like the United States and the United Kingdom have their selling points but are more competitive than ever. At the same time, other English-speaking countries like Canada and Australia have stepped up their efforts to attract desirable international students. This increased focus has turned the spotlight on these two once-hidden gems of international education – but the resulting glare (and policy standardization) has made it hard to tell which is the better choice. Each has unique advantages, however, and when taken together each country’s attributes creates a distinct set of benefits. Accordingly, here are the important points to consider

Canada Student Visa:
- Unnecessary for programs lasting 6 months or less.
- Candidates may be required to path a health screening.
- Student visa holders can work on-campus with some restrictions throughout the country but may work off-campus in only three provinces.
- World famous for its spirit of multiculturalism and high standard of living
- Allows international students who have graduated from a college or university in Canada to work in Canada for up to one year after they receive their degree.

Australia Student Visa:
- Unnecessary for programs lasting 3 months or less.
- Candidates are required to provide the results of an English language test.
- Student visa holders can work part time (up to 20 hours per week)
- World renowned for its low cost of living and affordable education programs
- Provides the flexibility of a working holiday visa

In the end, though, only you can decide the country that is right for you. No matter what you do, however, it is sure to be the first step in the journey of a lifetime!

International Accounting Overview

Posted on February 15, 2012 by jfrankel

The pace of business in the late 20th and early 21st centuries was increasingly driven by a dramatic increase in the level of cross-border interaction among companies from around the world. This has, in an almost unbelievable way, changed the very way in which business is done. Nor are these changes limited only to actual commodities. If wholesalers in Hong Kong now provide clients in India with materials sourced in Kenya then so too can the service industry. In fact, one of the unseen but vital changes resulting from globalization is the idea that accounting standards themselves must be standardized. Such a system would establish the standards for measurement, recognition, treatment, presentation and interpretation of different types of assets and liabilities to compile them into uniform financial statements. Thus, every company, be it in Nairobi or Mumbai, could be held to the same standards.

Of course, such things are easier said than done. Generally speaking, there are currently two major sets of standards used in the world today: The GAAP (based in the US) and IFRS (based in the UK). While there have been discussions of convergence between the two standards, progress is slow. Of course the governments involve realize that uniformity would be beneficial to investors – by reducing the costs of comparing alternative investments and increasing the quality of information – and businesses – by increasing transparency and opening capital markets – but inertia is hard to overcome. Fortunately, the tide is slowly turning. At present, 85 countries use IFRS reporting for their domestic listings and even the US is steadily beginning to accept IFRS standards.

In the meantime, the prospects for international accountants are better than ever. With governments and investors alike increasingly looking abroad, a new system of English qualifications (namely the International Certificate in Financial English) is stepping in to fill the breach. Thus, while truly international financial standards are still little more than a dream, international accountants are rising to the challenge.

Posted in Learning English | Tagged International Accounting Overview | Leave a comment

Smart Cards for Students

Posted on February 8, 2012 by jfrankel

Ever want to consolidate the number of credit cards, debit cards, and ID’s you have on hand as a foreign student? Now, many colleges and universities are offering another payment method called the Smart Card. Smart Cards for students are being made available through many higher learning institutions and are often incorporated with student’s school ID or room key card, so that students can make purchases, show ID, and gain entrance with one card in hand. These cards are supplied by many colleges and are used to purchase many goods and services on campus or nearby vendors.

Smart cards for students work differently than a credit card or a debit card. Instead, smart cards do not use a magnetic stripe to store information, but rather an integrated computer chip or microprocessor. When the chip is inserted into a vending machine or card on the same network, information stored on the chip is transmitted to the vendor. To put money onto a smart card, the student must insert the card into a payment station, and then insert bills into the machine. Many smart card services have websites which allow the student or the student’s family to put money onto the card online.

These cards are most often used for laundry facilities, vending machines, and small shops on campus. The school’s benefit of offering these smart cards is that they can limit their services for their students alone. The benefit of using the smart cards for students is that they no longer have to carry coins or cash around to buy small items or use services on their campus.

Additionally, local shops or restaurants often accept payment from university smart cards, allowing students the ability to purchase food or school supplies with their smart card. However, most shops outside of the immediate neighborhood of a university’s campus do not accept smart cards. To buy food or other items at stores that do not accept smart cards, a student will need another payment method at their disposal.

Posted in Finances for ESL students, Financial Aid, Financial Aid for ESL Students | Tagged Smart Cards for Students | Leave a comment

Learn English as a Second Language in India

Posted on February 1, 2012 by jfrankel

The English language holds a unique place in modern Indian society. Although India is technically the largest English-speaking nation in the world, its constitution recognizes no official language and English itself only holds the status of assistant language. Still, it is in many ways the important language on the subcontinent. After Hindi it is the most commonly spoken language in India and, given its wider geographic spread, likely the most read and written language in the country. Indeed, English holds a special place as a common medium of exchange among the hundreds of different languages spoken across the nation.

More importantly still, English is considered very important to the past, present, and future of economic growth in India. Much country’s surging service sector has been built on its technology and call-center industries, sectors whose growth has, for the first time, provided well-paying jobs for anyone who can speak English. English proficiency is clearly seen as a stepping stone to success in other ways, too – a 2009 survey found that fully 87% of Indians “feel that knowledge of English is important to succeed in life” both professionally and academically.

Still, as crucial an ingredient English may be, estimates of how many Indians are actually proficient speakers can be hard to come by. Estimates range from as few as 11 million to as many as 350 million but because there is no standardized assessment of spoken language proficiency, there is no way of knowing what range of skill levels actually exists in the population. This discrepancy makes learning English for school more important than ever. Because success and English are now tied together in the popular imagination, certified English proficiency from internationally recognized institutions are becoming increasingly important among would-be social climbers. Because these programs meet the needs of would-be international students and professionals alike, they are an important factor in India’s continued economic growth.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Learn English as a Second Language in India | Leave a comment

Changes to UK Student Immigration

Posted on January 25, 2012 by jfrankel

This April, legislation was introduced and passed for the UK student visa process. The legislation, which will affects international students planning to studying in the UK, will be implemented in three phases.

The first phase went into effect on April 21st 2011 and changed the minimum accepted English proficiency level accepted by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). At the same time, the UKBA released new standards of acceptance for the PTE Academic exam and also indicated that private educational institutions themselves will face greater scrutiny in their international student enrollment process.

More recently, the second phase of legislation, effective July 4th 2011, will affect Tier 4 visa holders and their families in a number of ways. For example, beginning in July, proof of financial solvency (maintenance) for Tier 4 application will include a formal declaration at the application stage that maintenance funds are genuinely available for use by the student while studying in the UK. At the same time, students from certain “low risk” countries who are accepted by an a educational institution designated a “Highly Trusted Sponsor” may not need to provide further evidence of their maintenance requirement, as their initial educational program application will serve as formal verification of their solvency.

Moreover, the new rules indicate that a Tier 4 student visa will only be issued to applicants who are applying for admission to a program that represents academic progress from a previously undertaken course of study. Thus, students who are applying to review a course or resit an examination with need their Tier 4 sponsor organization to confirm that the course complements or enhances your previous study.
Finally, Tier 4 visa holders are now eligible to work only if they are enrolled at a college, university, or other higher education institution. Moreover, Tie4 4 visa holders can bring dependents with them to the UK only if they are enrolled

in general postgraduate program at a college or university that lasts 12 months or longer, or
are in a Government-sponsored program that lasts 6 months or longer.

All that having been said, it is important to remember that these new policies effect applications filed on or after July 4th,2011 and will not impose any additional restrictions or conditions on existing Tier 4 students.

Posted in ESL News, Obtaining your Visa | Tagged Changes to UK Student Immigration, UK student visa | Leave a comment

English Slang Words

Posted on January 18, 2012 by jfrankel

Likely similar to your experience with your native language, English speakers the world use a great number of slang words, or words that are informal and casual. English slang varies from place to place, and through the vast success of Hollywood movies, American slang is most globally understood more than any other English speaking country words and phrases. This is not to say that countries like the United Kingdom or don’t have their own unique slang words. Indeed, if you wander the streets of Birmingham or York saying “howdy” to everyone you meet, you’ll seem quite out of place.

If you’ve just moved to the United Kingdom to learn English, you should be familiar with some of the words that you might not understand if you’ve learned your English in an informal setting. For starters, there’s “mate,” which is used for either men or women and is common to all ages. “Mate” is also commonly used in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The origin of this word is usually related to sailing ships in the nineteenth century, think “first mate” or “gunner’s mate.” It’s almost universally acceptable, as long as you’re on friendly terms with the person you’re speaking with. “Pal” is another slang word from the UK for a friend. It’s most commonly used in the North of England and Scotland. “Chap” is a bit more old fashion, but can also be used to refer to someone as a friend.

Another often used slang word in England is “cracker,” which comes from firecracker, or firework. This word means “great” or “wonderful.” Another word used by Englishmen and women for the same meaning is “brilliant,” which originally refers to intelligence, but can be used much the same as “cracker.” “Class” is another English slang word used for “excellent.”

There are many more interesting and fantastic English slang words out there. A great source for learning new slangs in English, (the Queen’s English) is peevish.co.uk. Please remember that not all slang words are as inoffensive and innocent as the ones mentioned in this article, and that you can easily embarrass yourself if you don’t “mind your p’s and q’s,” or “watch your language.”

Posted in Learning English | Tagged English Slang, English slang words | Leave a comment

Motivation and Language

Posted on January 11, 2012 by jfrankel

A recent study conducted by scientists showed that neither age nor language proficiency predicted how quickly Spanish-speaking immigrants in the U.S. learned English. Instead, the immigrants who learned the fastest showed both the greatest motivation to learn and a willingness to use English at every opportunity despite being not very good at it at first, according to a report recently published on MSNBC.com.
To better understand how the brain changes in response to language learning, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Washington in Seattle Lee Osterhout held a lab that used electrodes placed on the scalps of language learners and fluent speakers to measure the electrical activity created by the signals of brain cells. This allowed researchers to examine differences in brain patterns between the two groups who were tested. Surprising results were reached from their studies.
Repeated studies of French language students showed that their brains responded differently to real French words in comparison to fake words even if the students themselves were not able to tell the words apart. This was determined after just two weeks of classes. After 32 weeks of instructions, the brain patterns of the students were almost indistinguishable from native French speakers, Osterhout said during a panel that was part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 19 and also reported on MSNBC.com. The report said Osterhout hopes to tease out the importance of motivation in language learning in future research, and he wants to get a better sense of what separates the proficient language speakers from the truly fluent ones.
The article also explained that U.S. government agencies have been forced to learn how to cultivate the most talented second-language speakers among college students with little to no other-language expertise, since there is a lack in students who are fluent in French and/or Spanish when they graduate college.

Posted in Learning English | Tagged Learn English, motivation and language | Leave a comment

Exchange Rates for ESL Students

Posted on January 4, 2012 by jfrankel

If you plan on leaving your home country to learn English, one important subject that you’ll want to become an expert on is exchange rates. In other words, how much is your home currency worth compared to your host country’s currency?

You might have asked yourself what this has to do with your upcoming trip to an ESL school. It’s relatively simple: if the value of your home currency increases (or appreciates) in value again your host country, you will have more money to spend while you are there.

There is a big exception to this, though.

If you’ve already exchanged all of your money in the beginning of your trip, you will not reap the benefit of the exchange rate fluctuations unless you’ll be exchanging your money back to your home currency. So in effect, you may be able to reap the benefits of such a change and literally increase the amount of money you have.

With all things good, there may also be risks involved. In this case, the opposite is true if your home currency loses value versus the value of the currency of your host country.

We’ll use Australia and Japan as an example. If Australian Dollars lose value compared with Japanese Yen, a Japanese ESL student would have less money in Yen when they attempt to change their currency back to their home currency. Even though our Japanese student would be exchanging the same currencies as they did initially, they’re now losing money in real terms on this transaction.

To avoid impacting your wallet too heavily one way or another, you should consider keeping a reserve of your home country’s currency which you haven’t exchanged for the currency of your host country. Just like stocks or other securities, it is ideal to “buy” currency when the price is low, and “sell” when the value is higher. World exchange rates have been relatively stable historically, but international exchange rates do fluctuate, and you can gain or lose money based on exchanging currencies alone.

Posted in Financial Aid | Tagged Exchange Rates for ESL Students | Leave a comment

Financial Proof for UK Student Visa

Posted on December 28, 2011 by jfrankel

Regardless of the path you take while studying in the UK, the UK Border Agency requires all applicants applying for the UK student visa – seeking a prospective student visa, a short-term student visitor visa, or a more flexible Tier 4 visa – to offer proof that they will be able to support themselves (and their dependents) during their course of study. With Tier 4 visas in particular, this means that applicants will need a bank statement or letter confirming they have enough money to cover their course fees and living costs.

Child Tier 4 visas are eligible to meet the maintenance requirement if:

the child is studying at a boarding school and there are sufficient funds available to cover course feeds plus room and board;
the child is studying at a day school and staying with a friend or relative in the UK who has at least £500 per month to care for the child; or
the child is studying at a day school and staying with a parent who has at least £1333 per month to care for both of their needs;

After the age of 16, students are eligible for Adult Tier 4 visas and must meet these maintenance requirements:

short-term students must demonstrate their ability to pay for their full course fees and £800 for each month of the courses (in London) and £600 for each month of the course (outside of London); and

long-term students must demonstrate their ability to pay for their full course fees and £7200 for the first nine months of their courses (in London) and £5400 for the first nine months of the courses (outside of London).

Only if these requirements for maintenance are met will visa applications be eligible for approval, but having satisfied these requirements will be an exciting first step in the language immersion process!

Posted in Obtaining your Visa | Tagged Financial Proof for UK Student Visa, Tier 4 visa | Leave a comment

Upcoming Changes to ECCE

Posted on December 21, 2011 by jfrankel

Since its initial development some 20 years ago, the Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (or ECCE exam) has undergone constant study and refinement. Its last major revision took place in 2006 and affected the Speaking and Writing sections of the exam. Nevertheless, since then its developers at the University of Michigan English Language Institute have continued to update the parameters of the exam in order to create the most accurate and useful English proficiency exam possible. As a result of their work, beginning in 2013 the ECCE exam will include new changes to both the Listening and Reading sections.

While the length of the Listening section will not change (it will remain 30 minutes with a total of 50 questions), the second part of the listening test will have a new task in which test takers will listen to and answer questions about four short narratives (or “talks”). There will continue to be a total of 20 questions for this new aspect of the listening section and it will replace the extended listening task currently used on the exam. The ECCE feels that the older listening task, which simulates a radio interview related to a single event, can be improved by increasing the range of topics discussed.

While the Reading section of the exam is subdivided into three sections designed to assess grammar, vocabulary, and reading, there will be no changes to either the grammar or vocabulary sections in the new version. Instead, the 2013 version will include two new types of reading tasks: 2 short reading passages with 5 questions each and 4 short reading texts related to each other by topic with 10 questions each. As a result of these changes, the total number of questions on the Reading section will remain the same but the total amount of time allotted will be increased from 80 to 90 minutes.

Given the scope of these differences, a complete sample of the newly revised Listening and Reading sections will be made available online for test takers in early 2012.

Posted in English Language Exams | Tagged ECCE exam, ECCE exam changes, ECCE exam updates | Leave a comment