Vic Vic Bautista

• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the widely accepted and recognised English test taken by students and professionals wanting to work, live, and study abroad.  
• The British Council, through the IELTS Ready Premium, equips aspiring international students with the right tools and support to take the IELTS with confidence and ease.
• The IELTS Ready Premium is the British Council’s latest support tool, offering personalised and comprehensive resources to help Filipino students who aim to study abroad effectively prepare for their exams.

Taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which is the global standard for English proficiency, gives Filipino students who want to study abroad access to some of the most prominent universities in the world. Through its IELTS Ready Premium, the British Council assists test-takers by offering essential tools and resources, such as simple yet effective IELTS test tips, so they may confidently prepare for the test and get closer to their educational goals.

In order to address typical issues including time management, test anxiety, and complicated question types, test-takers can obtain expert IELTS test advice, individualized study programs, and practice exams through the British Council’s free assistance service, IELTS Ready Premium. With its comprehensive coverage of reading, writing, speaking, and listening, the tool gives students the resources and confidence they need to ace the IELTS exam.

Backed by research and insights of actual test-takers, the British Council shares 5 proven IELTS test tips for students to approach the exam with confidence and ease:

IELTS Test Tip #1:
Know the IELTS test format.

Knowing what to expect is half the battle won. The IELTS Ready Premium includes well-organised, easy-to-follow exercises for each section—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—that mirror the actual exam, ensuring students are fully prepared for what is to come on exam day.

“The free materials from the British Council provided me the familiarisation to navigate the test, and gave me the confidence to get the band score I needed to study abroad,” shares Casey Cruz, 2nd Prize Winner of IELTS Prize 2023 Philippines and now pursuing a Master of Arts in Human Rights at Mahidol University, Thailand.

IELTS Test Tip #2:
Practise with timed mock tests.

The pressure of time can trip up even the most prepared students. Timed mock exams from IELTS Ready Premium simulate the actual test environment, allowing students to practise under pressure, and build familiarity with pacing and timing across sections.

“Taking the practice tests will take away your anxiety and worry because you will get a feel of the flow and the timing of the exam, allowing you to manage your time and plan how you can answer with the time constraint,” advises Rafi Sartin, 3rd Place Winner of the IELTS Prize 2023 Philippines, and currently completing her masters degree in Marketing at Western Sydney University, Australia.

IELTS Test Tip #3:
Follow a personalised study plan.

Every student learns differently, and a customised study plan makes all the difference. With its adaptive learning features, IELTS Ready Premium helps students study at their own pace, and focus on areas that need improvement based on individual learning styles and needs.

“The tailored study plan helped me concentrate on improving specific skills, especially with the personalised videos and targeted exercises,” shares Dorothy Pugoy, now a certified medical laboratory scientist in the United States of America.

IELTS Test Tip #4:
Focus on strengths, improve weaknesses.

Knowing what works and what doesn’t is key to effective exam preparation. The IELTS Ready Premium includes practice tests for listening, reading, writing, and speaking, which provides possible bandscores for each section, helping students pinpoint their strengths and areas for improvement.

“Writing and reading have always been my forte but it turns out that it is the field that I needed help the most. After spending hours reading handouts during my breaks, I worked on those weak spots, while strengthening the areas I had already mastered,” recalls Tracy Salazar, who reached her target band score to study abroad for a post-baccalaureate degree.

IELTS Test Tip#5:
Learn from mistakes.

Mistakes are a natural part of learning. With model answers from test takers at various band levels and detailed feedback explaining what is right or wrong, IELTS Ready Premium helps students identify and correct errors to refine their answers.

“The practice tests gave me an idea on how I was doing so far in terms of reaching my target score to work or study abroad. I appreciate having model answers in the subtests based on the band scores available, since it gave me more ideas on how to compose and improve my answers,” shares Julienne Roman, who scored above her desired band level for future plans to work in the US healthcare industry.

The British Council is dedicated to helping Filipino students successfully pursue their aspirations to study abroad, in addition to helping them prepare for their IELTS test examinations. Through the IELTS Ready Premium, students may access a variety of IELTS exam tips, tools, and guidance that will help them achieve their academic objectives and realize their international job aspirations.

Sign-up for IELTS on computer examinations in select locations until December 31 to get a special price offer, gift vouchers and access to IELTS Ready Premium. When registering online at bit.ly/BCIELTSHoliday2024, enter the promo code BCHoliday2024. Visit the IELTS British Council Facebook page or website to find out more about the features of the IELTS Ready Premium.

With the debut of Ozam, Iskaparate.com, a multi-vendor e-commerce network that links local business owners to a plethora of options through business, marketing, and financial help, has extended its reach into Canada.

Iskaparate.com continues to demonstrate its progressive measures to become a more inclusive institution for all entrepreneurs and customers with its recent press event that provided imaginative insights into its history, distinguishing features, and B2B platform.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Canada can offer handmade goods to Canadian consumers through Ozam, a Canadian gateway inside Iskaparate.com, if they wish to supplement their day job earnings and save money for their return to the Philippines.

Aside from its typical e-commerce activities, Ozam’s main highlight is its service-focused product line that connects Filipinos abroad to their homeland by enabling users to send gifts, request errands, join live-streamed learning sessions, and connect with the Filipino-Canadian community.

Inaugural Products of Iskaparate Canada

Four flagship product solutions bridge cultural and practical gaps for Filipinos abroad to keep strong and accessible connections to the Philippines.

Ozam Gift

Ozam Gift is an e-gift card available specifically for Filipinos in Canada who want a flexible, cross-border shopping option. Buyers can purchase a card in multiples of CAD 100 to either send them to family and friends back in the Philippines or treat themselves. This gift card can be used to purchase items on the platform.

Users are given spending flexibility as card utilization can be in small portions or all at once. It’s also usable on both Philippine and Canadian storefronts. When used to buy Philippine SKUs, the CAD balance is converted to PHP at the current monthly rate.

Concierge

Iskaparate.com points out the idea of Concierge as stemming from the Filipino term “pakisuyo” which means “favor.” This service is for those who need errands done for them, functioning much like a paid card for personalized tasks. Buyers simply select the service, describe their request, and await confirmation. Within 24 hours, Iskaparate sends a full quote which includes item or service costs and a nominal markup.

Once confirmed, Iskaparate.com’s team takes on the responsibility of fulfilling the errand. It could be organizing rides, hiring a tutor, arranging a small gathering, or simply picking up an item. All completed tasks are accompanied by visual proof to reinforce the trustworthiness that Ozam delivers as it promises.

Ozam Talk

Ozam Talk is a service that gives Filipinos in Canada access to learning opportunities and expert-led discussions across a range of topics. This includes personal finance, food safety, health, and others. These sessions, being presented by professionals from different fields, give practical insights and skills directly from experience. A session may feature senior physicians discussing health conditions, chefs sharing food styling tips, or digital marketers explaining strategies.

Joining from anywhere is easy thanks to its live-streamed sessions scheduled on specific dates. After purchasing, attendees receive a secure link to join. An additional fee secures a personal copy of the entire session.

Ozam Chamber

Ozam Chamber is a service in collaboration with the Philippine Canadian Chamber of Commerce (PCCC), an exclusive channel for Filipinos who want to stay actively involved in community events, networking, and initiatives. Through the Ozam Chamber payment service, users can pay membership dues, event fees, or donations directly on the platform.

The service process is fairly straightforward. After selecting their desired service, users fill in a registration form and proceed to payment. Given its systematic method and attested partnership, members can guarantee smooth access to events, services, and updates from the chamber.

From Local to Global: Iskaparate.com’s Vision for Filipinos Everywhere

Iskaparate.com’s efforts to transition from a regional e-commerce platform to a worldwide service provider are part of their goal to uphold relationships across national boundaries. The changing demands of Filipinos around the world are satisfied by Ozam, and offering culturally appropriate services is easy and accessible no matter where they are.

To learn more, go to www.iskaparate.com

Iskaparate.com, the first e-commerce platform to support local micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs), has started a fundraising drive to aid impacted families and communities in the wake of the terrible consequences of the recent typhoon that hit Bicol.

Iskaparate.com has teamed up with Simbag sa Pag-Asenso Inc. and the Angat Buhay Foundation, two reputable organizations with a long history of helping Filipino communities in times of need, to offer a prompt and direct solution to the situation’s pressing needs.

Customers can easily send their contributions by purchasing gift checks of a certain amount directly on the platform. The total funds raised through these gift checks will be managed by Angat Buhay and Simbag sa Pag-Asenso, who will use the accumulated proceeds to deliver food, clothing, hygiene products, and other necessities, directly to relief centers in Bicol.

To kickstart the fundraising drive, Iskaparate.com made its own gift check purchase followed by its marketing arm, DTC Promos Inc.

Iskaparate.com wants to make this campaign not just a vital relief effort but also a chance for communities to unite during difficult times, in keeping with the platform’s original goal of supporting local companies and enterprising women. In addition to mobilizing local support, this program aims to support Filipinos living overseas who want to give back and lend a helping hand despite their distance.

To donate, just go to the website and place an order for a gift check.

To learn more, go to www.iskaparate.com.