The Southeast College is partnering with Saskatchewan Polytechnic to bring the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to the college’s Estevan campus later this year.
The college announced on Thursday that the exam will be offered locally for the first time on December 5. The test could happen twice annually in Estevan starting next year, if there is sufficient demand.
Students who reside within the Southeast College’s boundaries will be able to take the test in Estevan.
Katie Burham, who is the college’s EAL coordinator, said IELTS is a global exam that measures English proficiency, and is widely accepted by most organizations and educational institutions.
“It goes on your four basic skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening,” Burham told the Mercury. “It’s really exciting for us to be able to offer something that’s internationally recognized right here in Estevan.”
The reading, writing and listening components will be completed during one exam. The speaking assessment will happen the same day, but it will occur during a separate exam, with an individual leader from Regina or Saskatoon.
Burham said they need at least 11 people registered for the exam to happen. They can accommodate at least 25.
“We’ve had a lot of inquiries from clients throughout the past years, whether it be from people who want to take post-secondary programs, and need to prove their language proficiency, and also those newcomers, who need their proficiency for immigration purposes,” said Burham.
It’s currently only offered in Saskatoon, Regina and Swift Current.
“That’s a long way to travel if you’re going from Estevan, and you’re taking a bus up to Regina,” said Burham. “And then you usually have to leave the day before, and then come back the day after.”
They don’t have anyone signed up as of yet, but she has received phone calls from people who want to know how they can register.
She expects students who live in the eastern corner of the province will be particularly pleased to have the test in Estevan, since they won’t have to travel to Regina or Saskatoon any longer.
Burham said the IELTS test opens up doors for newcomers, because it allows them to register for post-secondary education programs that require a language proficiency minimum. Most campuses require proof of language skills if English isn’t one’s first language.
“We will be offering some IELTS preparation classes,” said Burham. “What students need to do is contact the campus, and the campus will put them on the list so we can figure out a date.”
The preparation classes will likely be a month before the actual test.
There are high regulations for security and other factors for a building to receive approval from IELTS International, and Burham said the Estevan campus met the criteria.
Interested individuals can register at IELTSSaskatchewan.ca, or by contacting the IELTS testing centre at Sask. Polytechnic by calling 1-306-775-7601. They can also contact the college at 1-866-999-7372 if they have any questions.
