Part 2: Skills development

Exam information I Completing tables and flow charts

In the exam, you may be given a table or a flow chart (a series of steps linked by arrows) with
gaps in it. You will need to read a passage to find the missing information. The answers may
be in one particular section of the text, but are unlikely to be in the same order as the gaps.
You will be told how many words from the text you should use, e.g. no more than two
words and/or a number, one word only.

Exam tip
Scanning is a very useful technique, because it saves time. It means that you move your
eyes down the text quickly to find specific information, e.g. places, names, phrases,
w ithout reading everything properly and ignoring information you do not need.

The following four exercises help you practise scanning. They all refer to the text opposite.

1 Use the organization of the text to help you. Look at the text quickly to decide which
paragraph(s) you would need to read properly if you only wanted to find out about the
reasons why people choose to study abroad.
Paragraph number(s):..............................

2 Scan the text to find names of countries, people and organizations. Copy and complete the
table.

Countries People Organizations or institutions

Exam tip
Use the text style or formatting to help you find the areas in the text that you are looking
for, e.g. uppercase letters, numbers, italics, bold print, quotation marks and other visual
information.

3 Do this exercise in less than one minute if you can. First copy the table in your notebook.
Then scan the text for the different items. Check in the Answer key to see if you found them
all within the time limit.

numbers
words in italics
words in bold print
abbreviations

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 Unit 3

4 Scan the text quickly to answer the following questions.

1 Which paragraph(s) give(s) somebody's opinion?

2 What does somebody really want people to understand?
3 Which tw o paragraphs talk about the country that is the most welcoming to overseas
students?
4 Which paragraph gives examples to explain what an internationalization approach is?

5 How did you find the answers without reading properly?

Is it better to go abroad to study?

Student-friendly places
The British Council has named the universities that are most welcoming to overseas students. As
you would expect, English-speaking countries such as Australia, the UK and the US have made the
top 10, but the number one may be a surprise: Germany. Two Far Eastern countries, i.e. China and
Malaysia, made it to the top 5, ranking higher than the US, Japan, Russia, Nigeria and Brazil.
The benefits of studying abroad
Russell Howe, a Scot who is currently studying a Business degree at Stellinga International College
in the Netherlands, previously also studied in India (which came 11th on the list). 'People often ask
me why I needed to travel, because British universities have a good reputation elsewhere in the
world. But this is not something I needed to do, but something I really wanted to do. I have learnt
different ways of looking at things, but I also found out how much we all have in common, wherever
we are from. All of this will be useful in my future career.'
Russell is not the only international student in his department. Business and administrative courses
are the most popular with international students, followed by engineering and technology, social
studies, creative arts and design, medicine-related topics and law. Manal, a student at the Faculty
of Art and Design at Stellinga, says she has similar reasons to Russell, but there is more: 'I wanted
to broaden my understanding of the world. I have enhanced my language skills: I am more fluent in
English and have also taken a level 1 Dutch evening class. One of my modules is about European
art, and I believe that I am benefiting more from studying this in Europe than anywhere else. I
have managed to visit other countries in my holidays, and really feel that this whole experience is
developing my global perspective. I also hope that I have made lasting friendships and contacts.'
Enabling student access
What is it that makes these countries student-friendly? Well, all of them make it easy for international
students to apply, and provide ongoing support once they are there. They also offer good quality
degrees, which are valued highly in other countries too. The fact that Germany came out as winner is
probably due to the country's efforts towards internationalization. One aspect of this is that the country
welcomes foreign students by charging them the same fees as home students, meaning that in some
universities overseas students study for free. Many classes are conducted in English, and so are most
leaflets, making it easier for international students to keep informed and take part in student life.
Apart from the financial reasons already mentioned, this type of educational internationalization can
help with the quality of research in these universities, through e.g. networking, team work and the
sharing of skills. For students, it is a valuable addition to their skills and experience at a time when
jobs are not easy to find.

Glossary
British Council: an organization that connects people worldwide with learning opportunities and creative ideas from
the UK.

Studying abroad 23
 Part 3: Exam practice

Questions 1 -1 1

Using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer, complete the table
and the flow chart below.

The required documents:

Evidence of language ability IELTS 6.5 or (1 )..........................................................

Evidence of studies (2)............................................................................... ,

Dutch VWO diploma, or other secondary school diploma

Information about motivation (3).................................

length of (4).................

Proof of identity (5)................................. ................ and passport photo

Other (6).................................................... if originals are in a foreign language

The online application process for people outside the EU:

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 Unit 3

Applying to Stellinga Netherlands, but we will apply for this for you.

We now only accept online applications,

College so please ensure that you have all your
Why Stellinga? documents ready to upload before you
Thank you for your interest in Stellinga begin. Any documents that are not in English
International College. As an international originally will also need to be translated and
student, we are sure you will find our the translations also uploaded.
university college an exciting place to study,
You will need a passport photograph; a copy
with like-minded and ambitious individuals.
of your passport; copies of all your certificates,
Preparing and submitting your application diplomas, etc.; your proof of language ability
We have tried to make the application (see above); and your personal statement in
process as easy as possible for you, but there English.
are a number of procedures you must follow.
What happens next?
All our courses are taught in English, Your application will then be considered.
so first of all you will probably need to If your initial application is successful, you
submit proof of your English language will be invited for an interview. This will be
ability. We require an IELTS score of 6.5 conducted in English via Skype, over the
or another test result which is equivalent phone or on site, depending on whether
(see appendix). You will also have to send you can come and visit us. You will talk to
us your secondary school diploma, so two or three members of staff for up to
that we can evaluate it. If you have the 30 minutes, and will be asked to elaborate
International Baccalaureate or a Dutch on your application documents and your
VWO diploma, you don't need to provide personal statement. We aim to inform you
English language test results. of our decision in writing, within 4 weeks.
There are several possible outcomes: you
We will also require a personal statement. may not have been successful; you may be
This is a text of up to 1000 words in which offered a place at the college or you may be
you introduce yourself, explain your interest offered a place on the waiting list. You will
in our college, and why you want to study need to reply to any offers within two weeks,
your chosen course. otherwise your place may be offered to
If you are from outside the European somebody else.
Union (EU), it is important that you have an Good luck with your application.
entrance visa before you come to study in the
■

Progress check

How many boxes can you tick? You should work towards being able to tick them all.

Did you ...

use scanning techniques?
read thoroughly only the parts of the text that you needed to?
read the instructions carefully to know what the word limit was?
count the words in your answers?
only use words that were in the text?

Studying abroad 25