New English skills standard for Nursing staff in force today

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Glasgow, UK, September 19, 2011 — A new English skills registration standard comes into force today for nurses and midwives hoping to work in Australia. Joanne Gray, president of the Australian College of Midwives NSW branch introduced the new English standard requirements in August 2011, and emphasis their importance, stating “It is absolutely essential that anybody who is going to be registered as a health professional is confident in their ability to communicate in English.”

Ms Gray acknowledged that the new requirement, the equivalent of level seven in the IELTS in one sitting was “difficult”, but with communication so integral to the health professions, she was considering making the IELTS a requirement of the programme. At present, students need only to present proof of English proficiency through test results, achieved with the assistance of a private English teacher or through other education.

With the UK also looking to toughen English standards for working migrants, and the competitive job market in English-speaking countries, the importance of IELTS achievement cannot be understated. IELTS is often required for university applications, meaning a lack of English proficiency can be a barrier to accessing the right course for students’ chosen health professionals.

English City, available at www.languagelab.com is a tool that students can use to virtually immerse themselves in an English speaking environment, with students from over 70 countries and the added benefit of a qualified English teacher available in the virtual environment. Studies have consistently shown the benefits of the immersion method of learning a new language, which can be provided by English City in a comfortable and risk-free environment at home.

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