U.K. graduates weak in English. Even after spending years in the United Kingdom, many graduates returning home still have poor English skills. A recent article in the Saudi Gazette speculates on possible reasons, from for-profit, crowded English institutes to British students being standoff-ish. Regardless of why, it's a fact that even an education abroad doesn't ensure English language competence. Check skills with ITP (for educational institutions) or TOEIC (for employers).
 

Rewarding achievement with ITP certificates. Test takers who score at a "proficient" or "independent" user level on TOEFL ITP tests can now obtain a gold, silver, or bronze certificate (depending on score level) from ETS. Learn more and ask us about adding this benefit for your students. 
  

Test your own language skills. You can take TOEIC, ITP, or TFI (for French) at an open administration as soon as next month. Or make an appointment for other types of testing and for larger groups. Reserve your seat now.

English language site of the month. Funny video provides a "History of the English Language in 10 Minutes."

Lower TOEFL scores now accepted for U.K. visas. ETS has worked with the U.K. Border Agency to adjust accepted TOEFL iBT scores so that comparison with the Common European Reference Framework reflects statistical margin of difference between different test forms. This adjustment provides new advantage to TOEFL test takers applying for U.K visas. See the new CERF equivalence chart for TOEFL. AMIDEAST/Saudi Arabia administers both the TOEFL and also the TOEIC tests, which are also accepted as a U.K. visa option and which may be particularly appropriate for those applying for work or spousal/partner rather than academic visas. Contact us for more details or to register.

English language teaching continues to expand in Saudi schools. Education Minister Prince Faisal bin Abdullah announces ambitious expansion plan to new schools plus added teacher training and curriculum development, as reported in the Arab News.

  
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