Please let's draw a line under this topic by adding that the vast majority of our candidates have been referred to us directly by the UK embassy in Manila, and only a very few have actually taken the test with us as a result of visiting our website.
Please let's draw a line under this topic by adding that the vast majority of our candidates have been referred to us directly by the UK embassy in Manila, and only a very few have actually taken the test with us as a result of visiting our website.
Info on English Language Test
I have inquired at a testing center about this test and they only require a testing fee of only 7,500, it's much cheaper than what has been posted recently, although they do not have a review for that since they are a testing center as i was told when i inquired, although they heard that there are review centers who offers enhancements for this test at a fee, as for the cost, they do not know exactly but said that it doesn't cost more that 2,000 for the enhancement, that's not bad compared to others who charges review for 12,000 or 5,000 right????
and another thing, they have a branch in Mindanao (where I am located) so i do not need to travel and spend more on airfare & such! YIPEEEEE!
Originally Posted by plushsh
My husband took the TOEIC exam by Hopkins International, it's listed on the accredited testing centres given by the UK embassy.
We paid 2000pesos for Listening & Reading, and 4200pesos for the Speaking & Writing.
If you have any questions, let me know! Ciao!
Beware!
After a month's wait, my wife in the Philippines has received the result of an assessment from UK NARIC, in order to find out whether her degree was acceptable as equivalence to the level A1 of CEFR. A1 of CEFR is the new English Language level requirement for a settlement visa to the UK.
VFS and indeed, NARIC need to revise and/or make clear their advice - UK NARIC do not at this time assess a Batchelor's degree taught in English to the A1 level, only specific equivalence to CEFR level C1, a much higher requirement than A1. Although my wife specified our A1 requirement to NARIC, and we paid our fee, they informed me about this fact only when I 'phoned them following their C1 equivalence result.
Hi folks! just to be clear on the process of this english requirement.
There are 2 Accredited English language exams in the Philippines. 1st one is called 'Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)' this is provided by Hopkins International in Baguio City and Makati. The 2nd one is EMD International English Language Assessment by StudyConnect they also have offices in Baguio City and Makati.
Now, we asked both companies for the fees:
Hopkins' TOEIC Exam: Listening & Reading = 2000 Pesos, Speaking & Writing = 4200 pesos
StudyConnect's EMD: 7200pesos for the entire exam
My hubby took the TOEIC exam.
First, since he lives in Baguio City, he took the Listening & Reading exam there. The exam was for 1hour and 30 minutes. The required grade by the UK embassy is total of 120points for Listening& Reading. According to my hubby the exam was really easy, like elementary english.
Hopkins International Baguio do not offer Speaking & Writing Exam, therefore, my hubby had to go to Makati to take the exam. Take note, you must schedule via phone as their online scheduling is not reliable, I booked online and when I called them they haven't received anything from us SO BETTER SCHEDULE BY PHONE.
The exam was also for 2 hours. I heard some of the examinees complaining to the admin people because according to them the exam was really hard. Something like, you have to look at a certain picture on the computer screen and you must type sentences that describe what you see on the picture. As if you were writing an essay. You must also answer some questions in English for the Speaking part.
Someone said, 'what if i didn't go to school, and don't know any english but love my wife so much and want to be with her, what happens to us then?' It was really sad. But the administrator did tell them that the UK only requires 80points for UK visa applicants and the exam's highest possible score is 900points.
Well, my husband did say it was harder than the Listening & Reading exam he took in Baguio but he still passed it with flying colours! Haha.
I think I read on the UK visa site that you could be excused from this test if the applicant has a degree in English, or degree taught in English. So although my husband and I have a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication, we didn't opt for this option, as he wanted to make sure we fulfill the English Requirement entirely.
I guess, if your spouse/partner has a Bachelor's Degree majoring in English, then that would probably be okay.
If you have any other questions about the process, please do not hesitate to contact me here.
We already submitted his visa application last Friday, and we're sincerely hoping and praying earnestly to God that he will be granted a visa. We are a newly married couple so we are risking our everything to be together again.
Seems stil a little confusing to exactly what is required and what level is needed. Anyway Since I opted to get wed in the phils after my lady was in the uk on a fiance visa we now have to apply for the settlement visa. For the study we opted for a company called "Protech" based in san fernando it cost nearly 6000 peso to register but you can go 6 days a week from 9 till 5 to study the IELTS. you can go as often as you like and the materials and tuition are very very good IMO. They arranged for the test to be taken on your chosen date, there are 2 a month, but the test is in Manila. The fee for the test was 8600, they do all the registration and provide the required forms etc. All the paperwork has the ukba stamp on it so It looks cosha. The thing I liked about protech was the flexibility and if the test is not passed first time there is no additional fee to continue the classes for as long as you want, I sat in on a few and was very impressed how the different skill level of the students was handled, often 1 to 1 tuition is given. I have no attachment or interest in Protech just an observation from a grateful asawa! Any 1 clear on what grade is required and what parts of the test need to be submitted? Thanks.
Talking to an examiner tonight over a few beers..OK more than just a few!!
He reckons there are very few examiners in the Visaya region and he gets flown all over the southern regions ..He`s on 10K per day plus expenses in top hotels etc etc!! Only works 2 weekends a month..
Think Im in the wrong game!!
Hello,
I have applied for spouse visa this January 2011. If you have at least a Bachelor's degree completed that was taught in English, then you are exempted to take this English Language Test. They required for me to submit my Bachelor's degree certificate as well as a letter of certification that my course was taught in English. :-)
Goodluck to those who will be applying. :-)
Hopefully my son and I get the visa soon. Godbless.
Your Bachelors degree has to be recognised as being the equivalent of a Bachelors degree in the UK. I think many Philippine degrees are only recognsed as diplomas in the UK. You can verify your degree with: www.naric.org.uk.
Hi Peter (Posthome),
you beat me to it, I was going to post the links to the VFS website. In defence of the doubting posts here about Theodolite Training centre. I would like to add that over the last couple of weeks I have spoken to Peter and met some of his family. Everyone has been very helpful both to me and my wife. I have visited Peter in his offices at the Golden Peak Hotel and seen his credentials. I have no doubts that his training centre is genuine. My wife is presently taking the 5 day review course for the A1, mostly to boost her confidence before sitting the test as her English is fairly good. Why condemn a man for using his many years of teaching skills to make a living in the Philippines and in the process helping others to achieve this newly added requirement.
Peter (Posthome} correct me if I’m wrong but if people are looking for Theodolite Training Centre on the link you have posted to the UKBA website they will need to look for {EDI} Education Development International and then email them.
The EDI are wrongly included on the UKBA list of Training Providers as they are NOT a training provider, they are only an awarding body for tests that satisfy the UKBA A1 English language test requirements. A single phone call to the EDI can confirm that.
Each training provider has to seek separate approval from the UKBA for their inclusion on the UKBA list of approved training providers.
Posthome will try to convince you that his accreditation from the EDI is proof that his company is approved by the UK Border Agency. Any such assumption on his part is wholly incorrect.
howerd
It is all very suspicious. If the service was operating in the UK Trading Standards would look into any possible misrepresentation
Take a look at Theodolite Training Group's (www.theodolite-training.com)website and you will see the following...
"Internationally Recognized English Language Learning Program developed and taught by a very experienced and qualified British University and College Lecturer"
However, further down the page it reads...
You will be taught English by an English Building Engineer and UK University Professor
On http://www.spainexchange.com/sponsor-5784.htm (and numerous other websites) it also reads...
You will be taught English by an English Building Engineer and UK University Professor
On this website (http://www.askedu.net/training.asp?C...Cebu+City&Pn=2) posthome writes...
Course programme tutored by an English University Professor and College lecturer who is also a qualified Building Engineer
However, on posthome's website for his similarly named business (based in the UK) THEODOLITE TRAINING (http://www.theodolite.net/About.php) he only claims to have done part-time lecturing at a university...
with some part time lecturing in University within the faculty of the Built Environment
Since 'moving' to the Philippines posthome has miraculously become a UK University Professor!
Yes it looks like before moving into the Internationally Recognized English Language Learning Program game Theodolite Training were major players in providing Energy Advisor ( Home ) Qualifications as this website proves
http://www.home-energy-advisor.org.u...FQ1O4QodNlWmHw
I'm not surprised Howerd got confused
That website (http://www.home-energy-advisor.org.uk/index1.html) provides further evidence that Peter Thwaites was only claiming (before his 'move' to the Philippines) to be a University lecturer, rather than a Professor...Yes it looks like before moving into the Internationally Recognized English Language Learning Program game Theodolite Training were major players in providing Energy Advisor ( Home ) Qualifications as this website proves
http://www.home-energy-advisor.org.u...FQ1O4QodNlWmHw
I'm not surprised Howerd got confused
Learning Program for the ABBE accredited Level 3 Certificate in Energy Advice ( Home ) Award developed and offered by a very experienced University and College Lecturer, and Building Engineer
If you were to ask your Filipino wife, or fiancee, in the Philippines you will be told that a University Lecturer is a University Professor. There is no distinction between the two. This is also the case with college 'lecturers'.
This is the case in many countries outside of the UK.
There is no intent to confuse or mislead here.
my mother in law has taught at Palawan State Uni for 21yrs and students call her 'madam' not professor, to be called a professor you would need a PHD.
The actual University where he was a Lecturer/Professor at isn't stated - it may well be one of those now belatedly regarded as "bogus" by the UKBA eg University of Dollis Hill or Kings College Ellesmere Port
In many countries a university lecturer is a 'professor'; USA being the prime example, especially as education in the Philippines is based largely on the USA model.
But your claim is that you are a UK University Professor. That implies you have held a departmental or personal chair and that you are educated to PhD level. Given your admission that you were a part-time univesity lecturer and do not list a PhD as one of your qualifications, your claim to be a University Professor is totally false.
I also note that you use the term Professor (capitalised); I think that would imply a title of rank no matter what country you are in. If you had been a lecturer in the Philippines and was allowed to use the title 'professor' in that role, no-one would object to that, but to claim you are a UK University Professor is totally false.
I also note your internet advertising is aimed at prospective English Language learners from around the world - not just in countries where the word 'professor' and 'lecturer' may sometimes be used interchangeably.
looks like this is going to be a major confusion and leave folk open to sharp practice not to mention a money spinner here in the Phils till everyone gets the right information caveat emp
Absit invidia
DISCLAIMER: The information hereinabove may or may not be entirely accurate, relevant, forthright, verifiable, or coherent. KeithAngel, who shall herein be refered to as the 'Shining Beacon of Light', reserves the right to neither confirm, deny, justify, explain, or otherwise acknowledge any inquiry in regards to the validity, genuinity, construction, intent, and/or motive of any statements, gestures, and/or actions whether real, imagined, or transdimensional in origin. Further, the 'Shining Beacon of Light' shall be absolved of any and all legal, moral, and financial responsibilities for damages to life, limb, character, reputation, property, and/or business resulting from the usage, assimilation, incorporation, replication, and/or distribution of said statements whether partial, complete, misquoted, or imagined. This disclaimer remains in effect despite any discrepancies or claims as to its legibility, comprehension, interpretation, subliminal suggestiveness, political affiliation, legality, visibility, and/or physical presence
Good digging Howerd
“Originally Posted by posthome
We have been authorised to offer the ELSA A1 English test for UK visa applicants for some weeks now and are listed as such on the UKBA website at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...s-partners.pdf
There are 20 pages on this .pdf which one states
Theodolite Training Group UK Incorporated ?"
Posthome - reference my reply #35 above from 2 weeks ago. I know you’ve probably been busy with Energy Advisor training but have you had a chance yet to find which page number on the UKBA .pdf we should all be looking at ??
'Professor' posthome seems as unsure about running home energy advisor courses in the UK as he is about running English language courses in the Philippines. He is also unsure whether he is 'visiting the Philippines', 'spending half the year in the Philippines', 'spending most of his time in the Philippines', or if he has 'moved to the Philippines'.
I am not sure how he can be in two places at once, but he claims that his centre is part of an 'international expansion' and that the English language course in the Philippines are all taught by him and the energy advisor courses at his 'well-established' centre on the 'south coast of England' are also all taught by him!
He does still have a home in the UK - but it is a retirement property in Reading and his 'well established' centre on the 'South Coast of England' was actually his home (before he moved to Reading a few years ago)
Have we heard from the "Prof" lately or is he lying low ?
... not since you responded to his last post a few days ago ...
... probably prefers to bide his time before proffering his services elsewhere.
Remove 'low' from the end of the sentence and the answer is YES!Have we heard from the "Prof" lately or is he lying low ?
http://www.facebook.com/theodolitetraining
http://www.facebook.com/#!/theodolite
Those are two Facebbok pages promoting Theodolite Training in Cebu. Note the picture - it is a picture of 'Tom' apparently teaching some Asian students. Posthome copied the picture from the EDI website for use on his own website.
Posthom has recently deleted all the information he posted on the 'walls' of his two Theodolite pages on Facebook, probably because of the numerous false claims made; pity he did not remove the picture as well - taken long before Theodolite Training had a single student.
Whilst I understand your enthuiasm 7500 is a very good months salary in the Phils not bad for a couple of hours work
Absit invidia
DISCLAIMER: The information hereinabove may or may not be entirely accurate, relevant, forthright, verifiable, or coherent. KeithAngel, who shall herein be refered to as the 'Shining Beacon of Light', reserves the right to neither confirm, deny, justify, explain, or otherwise acknowledge any inquiry in regards to the validity, genuinity, construction, intent, and/or motive of any statements, gestures, and/or actions whether real, imagined, or transdimensional in origin. Further, the 'Shining Beacon of Light' shall be absolved of any and all legal, moral, and financial responsibilities for damages to life, limb, character, reputation, property, and/or business resulting from the usage, assimilation, incorporation, replication, and/or distribution of said statements whether partial, complete, misquoted, or imagined. This disclaimer remains in effect despite any discrepancies or claims as to its legibility, comprehension, interpretation, subliminal suggestiveness, political affiliation, legality, visibility, and/or physical presence
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
