Language Fun :: Forum

Re: Waiting for saying "congratulations" to Dave. [by 123]

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:25:04 +0800

Educational Consulting （教育諮詢）:: Waiting for saying "congratulations" to Dave.
My hair has become gray for waiting too long. ha kidding la. still no message from dino dave!!

ETS to Offer over 25,000 Additional TOEFL® iBT Seats in Mainland China [by EastCoast]

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 08:06:22 +0800

Educational Consulting （教育諮詢）:: ETS to Offer over 25,000 Additional TOEFL® iBT Seats in Mainland China
ETS to Offer over 25,000 Additional TOEFL® iBT Seats in Mainland China

ETS and China’s National Education Examinations Authority (NEEA) announced today that NEEA will provide 25,000 additional seats for the TOEFL® iBT to students in China from July to December. The added capacity is one of several actions being taken to meet increased demand for the world-leading English-language proficiency exam in China.

“ETS is committed to ensuring that everyone in China who wishes to take the test has an opportunity to do so,” says Paul A. Ramsey, Senior Vice President of ETS’s Global Division. “TOEFL scores are accepted by more than 6,000 colleges and universities in over 110 countries, and the number of TOEFL test takers in China has been growing steadily. We appreciate this high recognition for the TOEFL iBT from Chinese students and remain grateful for their support. We are also deeply grateful to NEEA for their quick response and continuous efforts to improve the delivery of the test.”

ETS and NEEA will offer 14 TOEFL iBT administrations with more than 25,000 test seats by the end of this year. The number of seats will be increased thanks to several actions, including expanding the seat capacity at existing test administrations, opening additional test administrations and gradually increasing the number of test centers.

Further improvements and technological solutions are also being implemented to monitor the TOEFL iBT registration website to ensure an open and fair test registration process.

The new test dates currently available for online

For the most up-to-date information regarding test center locations, test dates and seat availability, please visit the NEEA iBT registration website http://toefl.etest.edu.cn or http://toefl.etest.net.cn, or contact the NEEA call center at 86-10-6279-8822.

ABOUT ETS AND ETS GLOBAL

ETS is a nonprofit organization with the mission to advance quality and equity in education by providing fair and valid assessments, research and related services for all people worldwide. Founded in 1947, ETS designs, develops, delivers and scores more than 50 million tests annually in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide.

ETS Global, the international arm of ETS, has subsidiary offices around the world organized in four regional divisions: ETS APAC (Asia Pacific), ETS Canada, ETS EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and ETS Latin America. In serving individuals, businesses, educational institutions, government agencies and membership organizations worldwide, ETS Global offers the same valid and reliable assessments, research and related services as its U.S.-based headquarters. It also provides customized solutions to meet the need for university admissions, student learning, teacher professional development and workforce products and services, and research-based teaching and learning tools. For more information, visit the ETS Global website at www.ets.org/etsglobal.

About TOEFL® iBT

The TOEFL® iBT sets a new standard for measuring communicative English skills by simulating actual academic situations. Backed by 10 years of research, development and testing, the TOEFL iBT redefines the way English is learned and measured. It is the first large-scale, Internet-delivered, English-proficiency assessment to measure test takers' ability to integrate and use all four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The new test also sets the standard for providing fair, unbiased and objective scoring, building on ETS's record and reputation as the world leader in all facets of educational assessment. More than 6,000 colleges and universities in 110 countries rely on TOEFL® test scores to measure the English-language skills of their students. Visit www.ets.org/toefl for more information.

Re: 英國名校排名劍橋超越牛津 [by 123]

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 17:55:05 +0800

Educational Consulting （教育諮詢）:: 英國名校排名劍橋超越牛津
Hello dino dave:
Thank you for sharing your experince about the school in England.
WoW,visit France, so good, envy you.

About English Language Programs [by EastCoast]

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:11:48 +0800

Educational Consulting （教育諮詢）:: About English Language Programs
About English Programs

English language programs of high quality can be found at a variety of U.S. educational institutions. High-quality programs have a professionally trained faculty, an excellent curriculum, and superior facilities for study. Such facilities may include classrooms, libraries, laboratories, computers, and other equipment. As a prospective student, you should examine the following criteria carefully and use them to help you decide whether a program is appropriate for you.

Program Types

There are three main types of English language programs available in the United States:

Intensive English Programs (IEPs):

These programs generally require 20 to 30 hours per week in the classroom. Courses include classroom instruction, small group discussions, language labs, and out-of-class work. Intensive courses may or may not allow students to attend regular academic classes in subjects outside the English-as-a-second-language curriculum. Most programs are developed as pre-academic preparatory courses, designed to prepare students for admission into a U.S. college or university.

Semi-intensive English Programs:

Like IEPs, semi-intensive courses include classroom instruction, small group work, language labs, and out-of-class work, but students usually also take academic courses in subjects other than English. A university may require you to take a few semi-intensive English-as-a-second-language (ESL) courses if your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores were sufficient for admission into a degree program at the university, but further proficiency is desired.

Professional English Programs:

Many private English language programs and some university-based ones are tailored to fit the needs of professionals. These may include programs in business English or special certificate programs in fields such as law, engineering, education, medicine, architecture, computer science, aerospace, hospitality management, and travel. Internships with U.S. businesses are available with some programs, both private and university-based.

This section will focus on Intensive English Programs (IEPs) only.

Standards

Before you apply to a language school, you should make sure it meets accepted minimum standards. Accreditation is the process whereby standards are established and maintained for educational institutions in the United States. There are two specialized accrediting bodies for Intensive English Programs in the United States: the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). Check to see whether the programs you are considering are accredited by either of these bodies.

The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) authorize English language programs to issue the government Form I-20, which you will need to apply for your student visa. The INS will consider a program as an Intensive English Program only if it offers a minimum of 18 classroom hours (also called contact hours) per week for its students, and if it is accredited by a national or regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, if an Intensive English Program has approval by the INS to issue the government Form I-20 that is one indicator that the program is accredited. Read further information on accreditation and recognized accrediting bodies.

Two professional organizations for Intensive English Programs have established standards that all of their members' programs must meet: the Consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP) and the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP). Ask whether the programs you are considering are members of UCIEP or AAIEP.

It is also important to know the academic standing of the faculty who will be teaching you. Look at the program's brochure, catalog, or Web site to see what degrees the teachers of a particular program have earned. Look for institutions whose teachers have degrees in English as a second language (ESL) or in applied linguistics.

Lastly, you can ask whether the program's faculty members belong to NAFSA: Association of International Educators or to Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). NAFSA has a Code of Ethics to which members are expected to subscribe. Both NAFSA and TESOL have established standards of good practice for their members.

Curriculum

Most language programs' curricula are divided into levels, starting with courses for beginners who have never studied English and progressing to courses for advanced students who are refining their skills in preparation for beginning studies at a university or college in the United States.

A typical language program's curriculum is designed to improve the student's understanding and use of English in reading, writing, listening, and speaking; some define grammar as a distinct skill. Some language programs focus exclusively on English for academic purposes, while others concentrate on preparation for such examinations as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE).

To find out more about what a particular English language program offers, check the program's Web site. If you cannot access the information you need on the World Wide Web, contact the admissions office of the IEP by e-mail, in writing, or by telephone, and request that they send you detailed information about their programs.

Length of Study

How long will it take to achieve the language skills you desire? It is difficult to determine how long a student will need to spend in an IEP. At the beginning of each program, all students take a placement exam so they can start their studies at the appropriate level. Some students will progress quickly, while others may take longer to develop the necessary skills. It could take one or two terms/semesters, or in some cases longer, to reach the level you are aiming for. Progress from one level to the next depends on the abilities of the individual student as well as on his or her existing English language skills.

Location and Setting

The United States is a large country with a diverse range of geographic features, climates, urban environments, and cultural flavors. An important factor in your choice of a program will be where it is located. There are high quality programs in all regions of the United States.

In addition to the geographic location, you should consider the setting in which a program is offered and find out what services are available. There are three common models:
• Programs run within and by a department of a university or college, such as the English language department;
• Privately owned (proprietary) language schools that are associated with a university or college and are on or near the campus;
• Private schools that are not connected to a college or university.

IEPs in all settings provide a variety of academic and student services. It is important to find out whether a program has a connection with an academic institution, what services are available to you, and how the program will meet your academic advising, housing, health, and social needs. IEP students who attend a program on a traditional U.S. college or university campus are typically offered use of the institution's dormitory housing, advising, and health services. Private language schools usually offer students a variety of housing options, provide academic advising and orientation counseling, and arrange health services for their students. A good-quality IEP, regardless of its setting, will clearly state what services are provided — either by a university or by the language school itself — so that you can select the right program for you.

How Classes Are Organized
The way that classes are structured is another good indicator of a quality IEP. Some questions you might want to ask are:

• What is the average class size?
• How many students are there per teacher?
• Is there a standard policy concerning the number of students with the same native language who are placed in one class?

The class size and student-to-teacher ratio can indicate the level of personal attention that students might reasonably expect to receive. Having students from many language backgrounds, and not just your own, usually will provide a setting in which you will learn English more quickly.

Costs

A very important item to consider in choosing any program is cost. Besides tuition, programs may require payment for student fees, housing, board (meals), books, health insurance (required for anyone who is in the United States on a student visa), and other miscellaneous expenses. Many programs require an application fee, which is often nonrefundable. Some programs also require a tuition deposit.

It is important to find out the total cost of the program before you apply. Full payment is made after arrival at the school, so make sure you are prepared to pay all of the required costs.

Admission Requirements

Each IEP in the United States sets its own admission requirements. These vary from program to program; however, most require that you have completed secondary school, and that you provide financial information showing you can pay the full cost of the program. Some programs will ask you to provide additional information such as educational transcripts and documentation of English proficiency and some will require that you devote the majority of your time to language studies while you are studying with them. You should be able to find all of the requirements for admission in the program's brochure or catalog or on its Web site.

我想問關於"申請回美證（I-131）" [by erty]

Thu, 3 May 2007 04:35:01 +0800

Educational Consulting （教育諮詢）:: 我想問關於"申請回美證（I-131）"
大家好！～

請問填寫美國Ｉ﹣１３１表格、遞交時有什麼值得注意的地方？

需要親自去嗎？如果我親面去他們會問我什麼問題呢？
遞交了之後會立即知道他們會否批准我？

因為本人快要離開美國。
其實我想回去唸大學（但如果我的原因是回去讀書他們會批准我嗎？）

又或者我可以寫什麼返回原因，他們會比較相信或不會為難，給我白皮書呢？

如果萬一不批，我人已經不在美國，怎麼辦？

感謝你們的意見：）

Re: Are You Missing Application Information? [by 123]

Wed, 2 May 2007 18:23:48 +0800

Educational Consulting （教育諮詢）:: Are You Missing Application Information?
Hello Dave:
WoW so many information about oversea study information. I think it must be very useful for those who want to go abroad.

Ps: all dear friends,
If you have any oversea study questions,you could ask on the forum. I think Dave will be try his best to answer for all of you.
Trust Dave, you will have a happy oversea study experince in your furture,too.

Working With Your High School Counselor: [by EastCoast]

Wed, 2 May 2007 05:20:56 +0800

Educational Consulting （教育諮詢）:: Working With Your High School Counselor:
Working With Your High School Counselor:
Do I need help from a educational consultant?

Many students find that working with their High School counselor is not as easy as they thought it would be, they find that the counselor has a very tight schedule and that there is not much time for them to really discuss every detail of how to go about finding and applying to colleges that meet their need. Many students think that they are not being helped but you have to realize that your school counselor may have 250 or more students who they may also need to help and they need to be fair to all students. Don’t blame them for this but use as much of their help as you can get. You must also realize that if you need something done by a counselor you must give them plenty of time to do what you ask.

Students soon realize that they will have to do everything by themselves unless they can find someone that can help them through the complex search for the right school, the stressful admissions process, essays, letters of recommendation and so much more. That is why many turn to educational consultants who have the knowledge and experience with every step of college selection to filling for student visas.

However if you do decide to hire a educational consultant I would also recommend that you continue to use your counselor in every way you can. You may find that they will help you with letters of recommendation and much more. Remember your counselor is there to help you as much as they can.

Your counselor may make recommendations that may help you. They can help you with what you need from your high school that will have to be sent to the colleges that you are applying to.

There are many stressful days ahead of you when you are applying to colleges, we would like to help you cope with this stress and offer you some suggestions that will help you on your way to college. Listed below are a few of the things you should do.

• You Must Take On The Responsibility:
Every student should realize they are ultimately responsible for their future and their college selection. When using a educational consultant you are still responsible for which school you will finally attend. A educational consultant will help you through all the steps of the admissions process and help you to fulfill all the requirements needed to be accepted to a school. Any good educational can help you with college selection, essays, resumes, and more.

• Organize Yourself:
You should take the time to plan and organize everything related to your college search and information you collect, you should keep your applications and all requirements within the folder and check off every step you have completed on your application. You must keep all important dates on the front of the folder so that you have easy access to that information.

View Organizational Chart

• The Early Bird Gets The Worm:
I know you have heard this expression and in some cases it is very true. Colleges have a deadline that must be met but to tell you the truth it is much better for you to get in your application, essay, and all other requirements at least 2 to 4 weeks before the deadline. Colleges have only so many openings within their college and being first in line always gives you a little advantage. If you wait to the last minute you may find that your application is now among thousands of other applications from other students and it has to be processed and a file made for you, and this takes time for the admissions staff to do and if they find some missing information you may find that you are rejected or asked to send it in. So plan on being the early bird and get your application in as soon as you can.

• Finds Ways To Relax:
You will find the search for colleges that meet your needs and desires and the applications processes can be very stressful. You will have to find ways to alleviate the stress that you have found you are under when doing all that is now required of you. Make sure that you go out and have some fun with your friends and do things that you like doing, this will help you to relax while processing your applications. You should also take breaks when you feel that you are a little to stressed

You should understand that the application process can be done in steps and not everything can be done in a few days. So plan each step and complete it fully. Make sure you are organized and have set your goals and time frames for completion of each step.

What Do I Do If I Am Wait-Listed? [by EastCoast]

Wed, 2 May 2007 03:01:05 +0800

Educational Consulting （教育諮詢）:: What Do I Do If I Am Wait-Listed?
What Do I Do If I Am Wait-Listed?

You may find that you are put on a waiting list by a school if you meet their requirements but at this time they have already filled the number of students they can accept to the college. There is a maximum they can take in but there is still a chance you will be accepted if some students decide not to attend that school and go somewhere else.

If you find that you have been wait-listed, you will have to decide if you really want to attend that school before you decide to remain on their waiting list. The college may only give you a few days to decide if you would like to stay on the wait list if a position comes open. If a position is opened and they have sent you a conformation that you have been accepted you will only be given a few days to accept the position, they have other students that may be on this list and they would like the chance to go to that school.

There maybe other problems if you are wait-listed that you might want to be aware of, you should as the school how this will affect on campus housing, and your financial aid package as well as other concerns.

What Can I Do If I Am Wait-Listed?

• If you are put on a wait listed there are something’s that you can do that may give you a better chance of being accepted. You need to take control of your situation if you really want to attend that school. Here are a few things that might help you with this situation.

• Talk to the admissions office and find out what your standing is on the wait list, many schools will be able to tell you where you stand and what your chances might be. You should also be very pleasant with the person you talk to so that they have a good impression of you.

• Call and talk to the admissions office and talk to them about your application and listen because you may find that if you give them some additional information you may move up on the wait list. You would not have been wait-listed if you did not meet their academic requirements, so there is another reason or lack of something you could have said to show the admissions officer that you deserve a chance to attend their college. They may be looking for students that have done community service or who are active in the community or they did not see your recommendations or something that affected you to be placed on the wait list. Now is the time to tell them how much you would like to attend their school.

• You should also show the admissions officers that you are involved in activities now and that you are involved in your community. Even if your not excepted this still looks good to the other colleges.

• You should also take a good look at the schools that accepted you and make a decision as to which one you will go to and send in your deposit and plan to attend that school. You might find that by doing this you take all the stress off you about being wait-listed. Don’t take a chance on being taken off the wait list and being accepted.

• Don’t take a chance that the deadline for accepting another schools offer. You will find that you will be happy that you made this choice.

You Have Been Accepted Into College Now What Do You Do? [by EastCoast]

Wed, 2 May 2007 02:00:05 +0800

Educational Consulting （教育諮詢）:: You Have Been Accepted Into College Now What Do You Do?
You Have Been Accepted Into College Now What Do You Do?

Congratulations, you finally have received your acceptance letters and you have decided which school you want to attend. During the next few months you will be busy and full of excitement because you are now headed to college. Here is a list of some of the things you will need to do before you head off to school.

Read All The Material You Were Sent With Your Acceptance Letter:

Usually when you receive your acceptance letter you will receive a lot of other information that will be important to you. You may find there is information on housing, school orientation, financial aid, and much more. You will have to make a lot of decisions and plans then respond as quickly as you can. Make sure you read everything clearly and don’t make any mistakes.

Send In Your Tuition Payment:

Make sure you send in your tuition payment right away, you don’t want to take a chance and cause yourself problems or even jeopardize your acceptance at the school you have chosen. Once you have chosen the school you will attended you should send in your acceptance and send in your deposit, this way a college will know for sure that you will be attending their school and they will save your place as a student. If you have received financial aid call the school and verify that they have all the information they need for your payment.

Financial Aid:

If you are receiving financial aid, you should have received a letter that outlines what you have been awarded. You may be offered grants, loans, or work-study programs which will help with your tuition. Make sure you read it all carefully before making any decisions.

Here are some things you must remember or do

• Read exactly what you have been awarded and decide what aid you want, maybe you have decided that you do not want to accept a work study program

• Maybe you don’t want to accept a loan that does not meet your needs and find a loan package yourself

• Make sure that you keep your financial aid office aware of your financial condition, if there are any changes report them immediately

• Sign and send in your financial aid package as fast as possible. You don’t want to lose your award by being late.

If You Were Given A Loan:

If you applied for loans as part of your aid package you will have to fill out paperwork and send it in as soon as possible. Your forms must be in before you start school. You must make sure you are not late with these forms.

Housing:

If you have decided to live on campus, you will have to apply for on campus housing. You should contact the school quickly and make sure you complete everything required so that your room is saved for you. The school will send you information about housing, including a contract and deposit form. They will also give you instructions, dates you can move into your dorm, a roommate questionnaire, information about laundry and other services available, and the rules and regulations for the dorm. You should read everything carefully so that you are aware of everything you need to move in. Don’t show up early and think you can move in.

If you are going to live off campus make sure you make arrangements for your housing and that everything is ready when you move. You may find that this takes time looking for the right place so do this early.

Select A Meal Plan:

You will have to decide on a meal plan and send it in before you arrive at school. You should look closely at the plans they offer and pick the one that is most suited to you.

Contact Your Roommate:

You may be able to contact the person you have been assigned as your roommate, it would be a good idea if possible to contact him or her to introduce yourself and discuss a little about living arrangements. You may want to know if you either will need refrigerators or televisions or will you two share. It is a great idea to get to know a little about each other before you get on campus.

Go Shopping For What You Need:

There are many things you will need when you move to your dorm or apartment Maybe you do not yet have a computer that you can take with you, this is something that I would deeply recommend that you get as soon as you can. There are many other things you will need so I have included a shopping list that may help you.

Shopping List

Once Again Buy A Computer:

Today it is very important that you have a computer. Every student will need a computer to access teachers study plans, conduct research, read and send email to friends and family as well as your teachers, There are many uses for your computer whish will save you time and energy when doing research, homework and online test. You should contact your school if you live in a dorm and find out what you will have to do to connect to their network.

Have You Sent Your Final Transcript?

You should contact your school and make sure that your final transcript has been sent to the college you will attend.

Do You Need To Have A Physical?

Many colleges will require that you have had a physical and have had all your required shots. I would recommend that you have your physical before arriving at school because you may find that you cant enroll in your classes.

Are There Pre-Orientation Programs You Should Attend?

Many colleges will offer students who will attend the college pre-orientation programs that will help you to get to know the campus as well as the community surrounding it. These programs are a good way for students to learn more about the college and I would recommend that you attend them if possible.

Prepare For Placement Exams:

You may need to take placement exams which will determines where you will be placed in math, writing, science classes. You may be lucky and you’re SAT or other test may exempt you from these tests but don’t count on it to they tell you. Contact your school and find out if you are required to take these exams and prepare for them while you are on vacation.

Now It Is Time To Thank All Those That Helped You:

It is important that you thank all those teachers, employers, coaches and people that have helped you with your college plans and acceptance. Don’t forget to thank your parents they have done a lot to get you where you are today.

International Students and U.S. Admission Test [by EastCoast]

Tue, 1 May 2007 15:05:47 +0800

Educational Consulting （教育諮詢）:: International Students and U.S. Admission Test
International Students and U.S. Admission Test

Undergraduate Exams:

The admissions tests you take are a standard way colleges can evaluate what you have learned and what kind of student you are. You should find out what test are required for each college you will apply to. You can easily find this out with a little research of the schools.

SAT Reasoning Test:

The SAT test is a test that will measure your mathematical and verbal reasoning skills that students develop over time. These skills will be needed to be successful in college. Many colleges and universities will use the SAT as an indicator of what you have learned and if you qualify for their school.

What Else Do Colleges and Universities Look For:

Colleges look at many things in the student applicants who apply to their school, such as, class rank, extracurricular activities, GPA, your personal essay and letters of recommendations. These will all give a admissions officer a idea of who and what you are and if they think that you will be a asset to their school and if they think you are ready for college level work.

SAT Subject Test:

These tests are one hour and mostly they are multiple choice questions that will measure how much a student knows about a particular academic subject and how they can apply that knowledge. These are given in areas such as English, math, and languages. You may also have to take other test depending on the colleges you are applying to.

Read more about the SAT

AP Exams Also Known As the Advanced Placement Program:

These exams allow you to earn credit or an advanced standing within most college and universities.

Learn more about AP exams and courses

TOEFL Exam:
This test is to test for English as a foreign Language

The TOEFL exam evaluates the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English. It will measure your ability to understand he English language spoken in the United States. This test is generally required of all none native English speaking students. The TOEFL exam is given world wide to students at test centers and a online version is now available.

Learn more about the TOEFL at www.toefl.org