English Language Test - help please?

Is there anywhere where I can find a list of approved Test Centres in Metro Manila and can I find some test papers for K to try before we spend a lot of money?

They just shut down Hopkins so thats out. I think Steve PQR may be able to help when he surfaces next.

Can't help direct, obviously UKBA have the definitive list but only of approved tests NOT approved test centres (as far as I can see - and the process is so convoluted I could be missing it).

Again I stand to be corrected but there are three approved tests you can take TOEIC, IELTS and ESOL, now TOEIC is no longer available I didn't get very far in looking for other centres, someone recommended Pearson for the IELTS test (I'll post the link when I find it) and I was all set for that - it looks legit, twice the price of Hopkins mind - but what price love right? Basically all I did was google 'IELTS Manila', and 'ESOL Manila'

I don't know how far you got with Hopkins, I read on another thread that any Hopkins tests taken before 17th April will still be honoured by UKBA. My fiancee took hers on the 12th so I'm currently negociating with Hopkins on getting the certificate issued so I can use it, if that doesnt happen (and I'm hopeful - the Hopkins admin staff have been very helpful) I will definitely apply for Pearson - they seem the best...

More info here - I don't know your circumstances Mathersgate, but probably not useful...

http://www.british-filipino.com/index.php?threads/english-language-test-spouse-visa.8851/

Thanks very much, Steve. Will go with Pearson but at Us$205 a shot we'd love a chance for K to do a practice paper first!

Yeah I know what you mean, there are example tests online (http://www.ielts-exam.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=15&id=35&Itemid=64) for example - but you never know how good they are and how accurate they are. I think the bottom line is you just gotta go for it - that was my approach (but of course its not me taking the test! )

The good lady did the Pearson English test the other week in Manila, she said it was very easy although she said the thing to watch out for would be the quick fire audio questions, apparently you do not get a lot of time to reply to a question before moving on to the next. She said she would have got the C1 instead of a B2 if she had been better prepared. Personally I think a stiff drink could be in order to calm the nerves before taking the test (a drink for both of you of course).

They do give you a very official looking set of results too with a reference number that can be accessed by the UKBA or any concern wanting to verify the level of English the candidate has acquired. Should be useful in the UK too for any prospective employers and so on.

The pdf file below will give you a little more incite into how they grade the test etc.

whats your timeline Timmers? You going to be in Manila anytime soon? You done the wedding yet?

We are going for the Fiancée visa, we submitted the application online only a couple of hours ago and she has an appointment at the VFS office next week to submit the paperwork and so on.

Thanks very much Timmers!

Our current plans involve getting married in HK on the way to the UK. I won't marry K in the Philippines because if we did that she might not be able to divorce me and remarry, which seems a bit unfair on her.

We found out that Stephen Miller, the Missions to Seamen padre in HK, is happy to marry divorced people (me!)if it wasn't their fault (it wasn't) so K can have a Church wedding which i suspect she secretly prefers.

Good country to get married in and a good venue too by the sounds of it, and yes she will be able to divorce you without the Philippines hassle of annulment and the like.

I think that's damn considerate of you, hope she appreciates it.

Yep. My wife was a bag of nerves. Silly really as she got a C1. I think for Filipinos it is easier than they think.

So when are you going to Phil? Or is she coming straight over by herself?

After we married we decided to put my wife in for language test and guess what, they were revamping and streamlining the test centres so we couldnt get any sense out of the UKBA or VFS back then in 2011.

I recall spending a lot of time on the phone to the Philippines and within the UK trying to make sense of it all. Eventually it all fell into place but it delayed us by a good few weeks.

I think some are better than others when it comes to taking a test of any description, especially when so much rests on it, like in our cases. I really dislike tests of any description. I had to do a safety induction a couple of weeks ago, sure you have done lots yourself and as soon as the chap mentioned that you get a different coloured pass if you fail to answer certain questions I started to pay more attention to what he was saying. I didn't want to be walking around site with a different coloured badge saying I was a thicky and didn't pay attention in class.

From what I can gather the English test for entry into the UK is not difficult, but you never know if nerves will get the better of you. Having said that you can always take the test again if you fail.

We are planning on her coming over to the UK on the 31st July depending on the outcome of the visa. I haven't seen her since January because of us applying for the visa, before that I would go over and see her every three months or so. I was considering getting married in the Phils but decided against it as I felt anything could go wrong at anytime in the Phils regarding paperwork for the marriage and such like. The downside to not getting married in the Phils is that we have to get married within six months of her entering the UK which for both of us has taken a lot of the romance out of the wedding. Also, once married I will be applying for almost the same visa as I have just applied for, plus the extra 1k of course.

well if your over there in June (back end) let me know - at the moment its 70 of her family and friend against me at the wedding - I could do with some support (and by that I mean drinking partner) although it seems you're never short of a drinking partner in Phil - especially if ur paying!

Must be quite daunting 70 to 1, a few San Miguels should help with that one I feel. If our visa is refused for any reason then I will be going to the Philippines at the first opportunity to see her, if its around late June I will let you know.

I have found free drinks and new friends a worldwide phenomenon not just in the Philippines