No wonder why some foreign students don't speak English

fifish · Post by **fifish** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:38 pm

I just heard from some friends that at least in Finnish consulate in Shanghai they don't interview the students, with appropriate papers the students would get visa to Finland. Chinese usually score good in IELTS (good skills in taking exams) and there is no way you can find out how they actually understand English without an interview...But friends said that in Beijing they do interview them. This is crazy.

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Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:11 pm

The IELTS exam includes a face to face speaking test which demands more than just "exam technique". I would say that Chinese students have no better or worse chance of achieving a good score than any other nationality. The results are based purely on individual merit. The results are standardised worldwide.

However, it is possible that Finland's requirement is low. I don't know what the minimum score is for a visa application.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:37 pm

penelope wrote:The IELTS exam includes a face to face speaking test which demands more than just "exam technique".

Guanxi and renmimbi?

kuanbs · Post by **kuanbs** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:12 am

In Vietnam, the minimum IELTS score which is required for the visa is 5.5 . And yes, the Finnish embassy in Vietnam do interview the students. I dont know how it is in China.
And do you know that there are training schools for taking IELTS exams ? In those schools, they teach students tips and tricks to get a better score.

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:19 am

kuanbs wrote: And do you know that there are training schools for taking IELTS exams ? In those schools, they teach students tips and tricks to get a better score.

Yes, I know that. There are also many, many books available and even some (free) downloadable materials on the internet. However, examiners are trained to direct the discussion in the speaking test in such a way that it really does reveal the active language skills of the candidate. For example, it is not possible to simply relate discourse that has been prepared and memorised prior to the exam. This is different to the TOEFL where the speaking test is conducted on a computer - not face to face with an examiner.

easily-lost · Post by **easily-lost** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:32 pm

fifish wrote:I just heard from some friends that at least in Finnish consulate in Shanghai they don't interview the students, with appropriate papers the students would get visa to Finland. Chinese usually score good in IELTS (good skills in taking exams) and there is no way you can find out how they actually understand English without an interview...But friends said that in Beijing they do interview them. This is crazy.

Whether the student is eligible or not (including their English skills) is the school's job, not the embassy's.

Guanxi and renmimbi?

RMB = Ren Min Bi

Can't believe you spelled "money" wrong!

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:35 pm

I have so little of it so I forget

cafemaker · Post by **cafemaker** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:38 pm

fifish wrote:I just heard from some friends that at least in Finnish consulate in Shanghai they don't interview the students, with appropriate papers the students would get visa to Finland. Chinese usually score good in IELTS (good skills in taking exams) and there is no way you can find out how they actually understand English without an interview...But friends said that in Beijing they do interview them. This is crazy.

If you are applying for visa to Finland, it is possible to skip the interview since you are considered to be just a visitor with max 3months. If you are applying for studying in Finland, you are not applying for visa anymore. Then in this case, interview is absolutely needed/required. So of course anyone who applies for visa with appropriate papers will get through without meeting in person, not just "students".

I was interviewed by a Finnish consular in Shanghai consulate back in 2001. Don't know how it works nowadays. But since you just "heard from" somebody, your story probably isn't true.

fifish · Post by **fifish** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:57 pm

I confirmed from that friend and it was indeed student residence permit: no interview needed for the application. She also said that she was interviewed when she applied for the permit some years ago in Shanghai. I guess the Shanghai consulate is just too busy nowadays, with all the business guys....

cafemaker · Post by **cafemaker** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:02 pm

fifish wrote:I confirmed from that friend and it was indeed student residence permit: no interview needed for the application. She also said that she was interviewed when she applied for the permit some years ago in Shanghai. I guess the Shanghai consulate is just too busy nowadays, with all the business guys....

So the story was heard from your friend of friend of....?

A_I · Post by **A_I** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:23 pm

If you are applying in AMKs which are situated in places like lets say Varkaus, you do not need any test or anything like that, you just need to apply. Then from that place you can transfer.... and finally you get students in quiet good schools who speak English on the same level as I do Chinese

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