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40
60
80
were used, representing approximately 11% of the
estimated number of students studying at ELICOS
colleges. The regional breakdown of the student sample
was as follows: Asia 73.4%, Europe 10.2%, Pacific
0.5%, Other 7.0%.
Japanese students formed the largest nationality group,
representing 34% of the returns. Other nationality groups
represented in the survey, in descending order, were
Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Switzerland, Hong Kong,
Thailand, other European countries, China, and Iran.
The top 11 reasons for choosing Australia as a place to study English were, in order of ranking, as follows:
1. Safety
2. Friends and relations in Australia
3. Climate and friendliness of Australians
4. Combine study with travel
5. Low cost of living
6. Friend's recommendation
7. Close to home country
8. High quality of courses
9. Work while studying
10. Hope to migrate
11. Low tuition fees
Differences emerge when the responses of different nationality groups are analysed, yet there is some
degree of uniformity across regional areas. Students from most Asian countries, for instance, cited
safety, climate, low cost of living, and friendliness of people as reasons for choosing Australia as a place
to learn English. To Indonesian students, however, proximity to home country and quality of courses
were the attractive factors. The overall profile of responses from Japanese students was in line with those
of students from other Asian countries, although the opportunity to combine work and travel, study and
travel, and high standard of courses were the major attractions. Students and tourists from Switzerland
and other European countries were clearly attracted by Australia as a tourist destination. Their reasons
for coming to Australia were quite distinct from those of Asian respondents, but bore some resemblance
to Japanese respondents.
When asked how they planned to use the English they were learning, 41 % answered that they would use
their English for further study in Australia, 37% stated their English was to help obtain employment or
to advance their existing career, 9% planned to use it in their travels, 6% for further study in their home
country, 5% for further study in a third country, and 2% specified "other".
A significantly high proportion of students of all nationalities was interested in English providing a
springboard for further study in Australia. No Swiss student indicated an interest in studying English
as a means of facilitating communication when travelling. Female respondents from Hong Kong, Korea,
6
38-44
52-54-57
97
101 Helpful Hints for IELTS
Taiwan, and Thailand were more concerned than their male counterparts with English as a means to
improve employment or career prospects. Female respondents from Japan and Taiwan were more
interested than their male counterparts in studying English to facilitate travel and to meet people.
Figure 2. Student Objectives for English Study
50 -,
Areas of Consideration
Further Study
in Australia
Employment / Career
Travel - destination
unspecified
Further Study -
Home Country
Further Study - Third
Country
Other
With regard to immediate post-ELICOS study
plans, 41% stated that they would progress
to further studies, close to a third stated they
would return to their home country or move
to a third country, 21% stated they would
travel, and 8% stated they planned to work
temporarily in Australia.
When considering public English language
examinations, 65% of respondents indicated
they would sit for an English test post-study.
More than half indicated their intention to take
IELTS, just over a third named TOEFL, 15% named the Cambridge First Certificate, and 9% stated "other".
There were marked differences in response between students from different countries and across gender.
Asked whether they had had visits from overseas friends or family during their course, 27% of students
responded affirmatively. Students in Queensland were more likely than average to have had visits,
whereas respondents from Western Australia were less likely than the average to have had visits.
The most popular break activity was travelling in Australia - 90% - followed by travelling to home
country - 19% - and, finally, working full or part-time - 9%. While the principal areas of employment
remained in restaurants, cleaning, and factories, there was a steep increase in the number of students
working as shop assistants and tour guides, neither of which were previously significant employment areas.
Respondents were also asked to rank the three top
supplier countries in terms of cost, quality, and visa
ease. In terms of "cost", Britain was regarded as the
most expensive, the U S. second, Canada third, and
Australia fourth. In terms of "quality", first preferences
only, 61% of respondents regarded the U.K. as having
the best quality tuition. Opinion on the supplier of the
second best level of tuition was more evenly divided,
with 34% naming the U.S., and 29% naming Australia.
Australia was considered the third best supplier, with
a 35% response, and 25% naming Canada.
Figure 3. Post - ELICOS Plans
8%
21%
4 1 %
Further Studies
Leave Australia
Travel
Work in Australia
30%
More students believed visas were easier to get for Australia than for any of the other English language
provider countries. Opinion was divided, however, and the view was not held by a clear majority - 35%
of respondents placed Australia first, while 32% placed the U.S. first.
8
26-27
43-57
Questions 16-25
You are advised to spend about 5 minutes on Questions 16-25.
Refer to Reading Passage 2 "Regional Student Survey", and answer the following questions with
suitable numbers, words or phrases. Write your answers in boxes 16 - 25 on your
Answer Sheet. The first one has been done for you as an example.
Example: What is the name of the Association which commissioned the survey?
98
Practice Test One
Q16. Which regional group had the largest percentage of students in the survey?
4 7 - 5 7 - 5 9
Q17. Swiss students' reasons for choosing Australia were similar to those of which
Asian nationality group?
47-59
Q18. For what purpose did most students intend to use their English learning? 42-44 47
54
Questions 19 to 21
You are advised to spend about 5 minutes on Questions 1 9 - 2 1 .
Complete the following chart with information from the reading passage:
Answer
8 - 5 7
9
15-52
15-52
7-15-52
Questions 22 to 25
You are advised to spend about 5 minutes on Questions 2 2 - 2 5 .
The notes below were made from information in Reading Passage 2. Complete each gap by
choosing the best word or phrase from the box on the next page. Note that there are more
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