Why should I study in New Zealand?
New Zealand, a tiny country spread across two islands, is home to only 8 universities – yet when it comes to education, it has made its mark and attracts thousands of international students to its shores each year.
Why do we think it would make the best option for you? The reasons are many, and these are only a few! The Hurray Overseas team has compiled the following information to help you decide your goals.
1. Quality Education
All of New Zealand’s 8 universities are ranked in the world’s top 3 percent universities – thanks to their high-quality teaching, innovative research, excellent infrastructure, close ties with outside organizations and industries, and a wide range of programme offerings with considerable flexibility, allowing you to shape your education to fit your career goals.
2. Research possibilities
If you want to study beyond the Master’s level in New Zealand, you will enjoy several unique benefits – most importantly, international students registered for their Ph.D. research studies in New Zealand pay the same rate of tuition fees as domestic students! Besides this, Ph.D. students are allowed to work full time alongside their studies. These benefits, coupled with guaranteed academic quality, makes for a matchless Ph.D. abroad opportunity!
3. Bulk up your CV
New Zealand has made a name for itself in the field of education – which means that you, as a graduate of a New Zealand university, would find several career opportunities the world over! Companies back home in India as well as across the globe would consider you a strong candidate, with immense possibilities involved in growing your career.
4. Quality of Life
A fulfilling university experience often goes beyond academics alone – and New Zealand offers everything you could imagine, and more. International students are permitted to work part/full-time alongside their studies, allowing you to hone your work ethic and build new experiences. New Zealand’s rugged landscapes and outdoorsy culture will give you plenty in the way of making memories to last a lifetime. The country’s quality of life rivals that of others, including nearby Australia. Its people are warm and welcoming, in the tradition of the native Maori culture. And finally, New Zealand is also one of the world’s most peaceful and peace-loving nations – ranked 2nd in the world in 2018!
How do I Study in New Zealand without IELTS? – Duolingo English Test
If you are looking to study in New Zealand in 2020, or even 2021, chances are your plans have been or are being affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Issues related to the cancelation and suspension of testing for major English proficiency tests, including IELTS and several others are among the biggest problems, as without these tests, your application cannot be processed.
However, you’ll be happy to hear – with the Duolingo English Test, you can stay on track toward your overseas education goals!
Duolingo, best known for its app that teaches a range of foreign languages, recently launched an English proficiency test – like all other major language tests, it tests your major language skills or LSRW i.e. Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
How does this help me?
While at the start, universities were accepting the Duolingo test only as a supplement to the major tests – several universities are now accepting the Duolingo English Test as fulfilling English language requirements for international applicants.
Take the English Test at Home during Lockdown
The biggest advantage of the Duolingo English Test is that it can be taken at home.
Testing centers for IELTS and other exams are now closed – but with the Duolingo English Test, you do not need to attend a testing centre.
How do I take the test at home?
The process is as easy as it can get!
Step One: Register
Make a free account on the Duolingo site – https://englishtest.duolingo.com/
You will have access to a 15-minute practice test, which you can take as many times as you like.
When you’re ready, pay the fee and unlock the test.
Step Two: Make sure you have all the requirements
You will need:
- Identity documentation, such as your passport, driver's license or government ID
- A quiet, well-lit room
- A computer with a reliable internet connection, a supported browser, a front facing camera, speakers and a microphone
- To be seated alone – there can be no other person in the room. Your test will be recorded and checked by proctors to ensure that there is no malpractice.
Step Three: Take the test, anytime!
Once you pay the fee, you can then take the test any time that you want – no fixed appointment required!
How do I prepare for the Duolingo English Test?
If you have decided that the Duolingo test works for you, you will now be wondering how to prep for it. It’s true – the strategies you require would differ slightly from other more traditional tests.
The good news in however that prepping is completely doable while under lockdown.
Here’s what you can do:
1. Practice!
You can take the official practice test an unlimited number of times. Each time you do the test you’ll have a different set of questions – which means you will be able to get plenty of useful practice in.
Practicing this way is highly recommended. It is the best way to help you get used to the structure of the exam, including the nature of the question types, the time limit is given for each question, the shifts between different skill categories (e.g. a listening task may be followed by a reading task), and so on.
2. Hone your vocabulary and grammar skills
Vocabulary and grammar skills are the building blocks of effective communication. Vocabulary involves knowing a large repertoire of words, their meaning, and appropriate usage. Grammar skills involve the correct usage of the various functional elements of language, including punctuation, sentence construction rules, tense formation, and so on. You will require these skills for tasks across the major skill sets you will be tested on.
- Read: We recommend selecting good publications, well-known for their quality, and with a wide variety of content – Time, The New Yorker, and National Geographic are a few examples.
- Listen: to audio-based programmes, including television programmes, radio programmes, recorded lectures and podcasts. Ensure that you select good quality programmes – preferably of American/British origin so that you can get used to the accents and pronunciation as well. BBC news and programmes, the National Geographic and Discovery channels, as well as a few movies, would be excellent starting points.
3. Get Feedback
For the speaking and writing tests, getting feedback is an extremely valuable tool – something that, unfortunately, you will not get from the practice test.
Here’s what you can do: take note of some of the topics given for both speaking and writing, and practice on your own. Submit your work to someone you trust, preferably a teacher or a trainer, for feedback regarding the quality of your language use as well as areas where you require improvement. The more feedback you get, the better – it helps you to remember your problem areas and to watch out for them during the test.
Where will my Duolingo scores be accepted?
For post-graduate programmes, 3 of the 8 universities in New Zealand currently recognise Duolingo. These include:
1. Otago University
This university is accepting Duolingo scores for all international students affected by Covid-19. These scores will be considered for all 3 intakes in 2020 and 2021. For postgraduate programmes, the minimum score required is 110.
2. Massey University
In this university, Duolingo is only accepted in case other tests are unavailable – you would have to clarify whether you qualify with the university. Scores are accepted on the basis of their equivalence to IELTS scores (for instance, IELTS 6.5 is equivalent to Duolingo 110).
3. Victoria University of Wellington
In this university, Duolingo is only accepted in case other tests are unavailable – you would have to clarify whether you qualify with the university. The required score for postgraduate programmes in 110.
P.S. Duolingo permits you to send your scores to an unlimited number of universities – at no added cost!
Find your university in New Zealand with Hurray
Our Overseas Education counselling team has all the experience and expertise required to help you find the right university in New Zealand – based on your interests and strengths, your background, and your goals. Our services cover everything from the English proficiency test, to your application and SOP, and finally to settle you into your new home abroad. With Hurray, your dream of studying in New Zealand can come true!
Reach out to us to book your FREE one-on-one session, at info@hurrayedutech.com or 8971357938 / 9900426501.
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