- Revisiting the British Council Learning Hub
- How IELTS takers are harnessing British Council’s language teaching expertise
This year has been a year of milestones for British Council Philippines, from moving to a new office to provide test takers of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with better facilities, to introducing computer-delivered IELTS.
In terms of helping students prepare for IELTS, one notable contribution of the organisation has been the launch of the British Council Learning Hub, a creative, inclusive space for everyone to gain new knowledge, skills and qualifications; exchange, discuss and build ideas; and engage with the UK’s cultural resources. It is a centre for learning English and preparing for English tests, particularly IELTS. British Council uses its expertise in English language teaching and assessment to provide test takers with trainings and sessions that enable them to sharpen their skills.
More importantly, the Learning Hub equips test takers with a level of confidence that will help them not just during the test, but also helps them to prepare for using their English language skills and living in a new environment overseas. This was the case for Keisha Austria and Ginelli Castillo, who, with the help of the courses at the Learning Hub, particularly the IELTS Exceed Writing Workshop, a free whole-day workshop that aims to develop one’s English writing skills, felt more prepared to take on the writing section of the test.
“Through the course, I was able to identify areas in my writing that I needed to improve. It’s really helpful since I’m currently preparing for my test and now I know which aspect of my writing I should focus on,” said Castillo, who plans to work in the UK as a nurse.
The Exceed Writing Workshop is just one among many offers at the Learning Hub, which individuals can access when they register their test with the British Council. This particular workshop was developed by a group of international IELTS experts who conducted a study by analysing sample writing test outputs of test takers in the Philippines. These experts were able to identify common errors committed by the test takers and presented solutions on how to address these. Other courses offered at the Learning Hub include IELTS Orientation, IELTS One-day Preparation Workshops, IELTS Exceed Writing Workshop, IELTS Pretests, IELTS Information Sessions, and IELTS Library, to name a few.
In addition, British Council Philippines has a number of online offers to help them when preparing for the test. These offers include the Road to IELTS, MOOC, and IELTS Prep App, which are also free.
“What’s great about IELTS preparation courses offered by the British Council is that they come together with your IELTS registration. There’s no need to pay for classes and materials offered at review centres. Attendees are also given free handouts, so they can continue improving their English after each session,” Austria said.
“Aside from most of the courses being free, a number of them can also be accessed anytime and anywhere through the internet. Accessing them is ideal for those like me who have busy working schedules” Castillo said, adding that accessing the online courses is ideal for those like her who don’t have a lot of free time for themselves.
“There’s no reason for registered IELTS test takers not to take advantage of all these offers,” Castillo said.
