The LPI Test will benefit students at various stages whether they plan to pursue post-secondary studies locally or abroad in a country where English is the language of instruction. With its emphasis on reading and writing, the two most critical skills in today’s global economy, the LPI Test empowers professionals with the confidence and credibility they need to perform at a higher level.

The first LPI Testing Center will be in Riyadh at the Kingdom Schools, one of the most prestigious schools in the country.

Dr. George S. Chrysomilides, President and CEO of the Canadian Education Network (CEN), says “We are excited to be working with the Kingdom Schools, a leader in education and digital technology, to make the LPI computerized Test accessible to Saudi students and professionals who wish to further their English skills and success.”

Currently registration is open for the LPI Test which costs $170 CAD – a saving of $50 to $60 as compared with other English language proficiency tests. For students interested in studying in the USA and Canada, CEN will be able to develop a study plan and facilitate placement into ESL (English as a Second Language) and undergraduate programs.

Dr. Nasser Al Mulhem, Kingdom Schools’ Director General, says: “We are honoured to be working with Canadian Education Network, since the UBC LPI test will bring great value to our students, parents, and the country as a whole”

Interested students and professionals are encouraged to secure their registration early on through the CEN LPI website at http://caneducation.com/LPI.php which includes information in English and Arabic. Further support is available by visiting the Kingdom Schools.

Additional testing centres will be made available soon in Jeddah.
For media inquiries contact LPI@Caneducation.com.

About Canadian Education Network (CEN)

Established in 1994 with significant support from the government of Canada, the Canadian Education Network is Canada’s trusted source of information and support for students in the pursuit of higher education in Canada and the USA. With its network of over 500 colleges and universities, CEN is able to provide expert advice and high class support to ensure the success of its students. Applications are accepted throughout the year. To find out more about CEN visit http://caneducation.com or contact LPI@caneducation.com.

About Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc.

Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc. is a wholly owned is a subsidiary of the University of British Columbia founded in 2009 to develop, deliver, and license in partnership with other organizations quality English language proficiency tests including the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) and the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP). More information on Paragon Testing can be found at http://paragontesting.ca.

About the Kingdom Schools

Kingdom School has been operating since 2000. The school has unique facilities- a large and beautifully designed complex of buildings that includes separate buildings for kindergarten, elementary, intermediate, and secondary on 140,000 square meters of land. Each building, in addition to classrooms, has a multi-purpose hall, staff rooms and production areas. Science and language labs are equipped with the latest technology and the playing areas, indoor and outdoor, are extensive. For more information, visit http://www.kingdomschools.edu.sa
 

 
ENGLISH FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

For its excellent higher education programs and high standard of living, Canada has become a top destination for international students. Canada also has one of the lowest tuition rates as compared with other destinations such as the USA, Australia, and the UK.

Every year, Canada welcomes over 130,000 international students who come to pursue English Language programs and higher education with an increasing number coming from China and other Asian countries. Today it is estimated that international students represent about 8% of full-time undergraduate students and close to 20% of full-time graduate students in Canada.

English proficiency is a key success factor for admission into Canadian universities, and students often have to spend one to two years of English language upgrading before they can pursue their academic goals.

Academic institutions measure students’ English proficiency through standardized language proficiency tests such as the TOEFL, IELTS, and LPI. The LPI Test stands for Language Proficiency Index, developed by The University of British Columbia (UBC) and used at more than 30 Canadian universities and colleges as an English language proficiency test.

Dr. Donald Wehrung is the President of Paragon Testing Enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary of The University of British Columbia, which administers the LPI and CELPIP Tests. He states: “Five out of six LPI test candidates achieve scores of 4 or higher on the Written Essay which makes them eligible for entrance into first year English courses or admission to several post-secondary institutions in Canada.”

The Canadian Education Network (CEN), a local international student support center for higher education, favours the LPI and CELPIP tests for providing a more reliable measurement of English proficiency. A score of LPI 5 on the Written Essay is ideal for students who aim at excellence in their academic studies, says Dr. George Chrysomilides, President of CEN.

In Canada most university programs require a minimum of 92 TOEFL IBT which corresponds to 4.0 on the Written Essay of the LPI Test.

So what can be done to speed up the English learning process?

In addition to attending an ESL program, international students should seek the help of a competent ESL tutor, who can provide personalized help that suits various learning styles and addresses their unique language challenge.

ESL and English public speaking groups and volunteer opportunities can also be a great way to network and make new friends.

English learners are encouraged to expand their cultural circle of friends so they are forced to communicate in English, as opposed to relying solely on their community.
Reading and writing are the two skillsets that are most critical for academic and professional success, and generally more challenging to improve upon.

Reading can be facilitated by getting into the habit of reading newspapers, journals and magazines of interest. Students should consider starting their day with some reading to keep up with world news and industry trends that relate to their intended career path.
With the wide adoption of social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, recent research shows that social media can play an important role in improving English language proficiency. English learners can also consider starting their own blog to share their new experience in Canada, which can in turn boost writing skills.

Allison Causton, ESL instructor at International House, says that “It takes a long time to become proficient in a new language and English learners should be aware of that and actively seek resources beyond the classroom to practice their language skills while opening up social, networking and cultural opportunities.”


PHD PROGRAMS
 
Want to know if a PhD is right for you?

A lot of people are misinformed about what a PhD is, what it’s for and who it’s really catered to.

A PhD (or Doctor of Philosophy) program is a post-graduate degree program designed for those who have a passion for, and history of completed, research. Admission to a PhD program most often requires completion of a master's degree in a related field, with high grades and proven research ability.

Universities offer PhD programs for the purpose of expanding their research. In most cases a PhD student will conduct research towards a thesis under the supervision of an existing professor (who already has a PhD). It is usually only possible to be accepted to a PhD program if a university has the need for research in a specific field. For example, if a master’s degree graduate student wishes to pursue research in an area of finance which is of interest to a professor at the University of Toronto, that student may be a good candidate for a PhD program.

There is often the assumption that a PhD is simply the next level up from a master’s degree, and nothing more. Many people who follow that assumption believe that university degrees are simply tiered in hierarchy from bachelor’s to master’s to PhD, where each tier is a higher level of courses. But there is more to it than that! A bachelor’s degree is the gateway to higher education; where students engage in a series of courses and are introduced to research. Those who enroll in a master’s degree take that a step further, often focusing less on courses and more on research. This research sometimes leads to a master’s thesis. Student who perform well in their master’s thesis are truly the best candidates for a PhD program.

It is important to know that students who complete a master’s degree which is entirely course based are not usually eligible for a PhD program in Canada.

There are very few seats available for PhD applicants; as such, placement of PhD candidates is extremely competitive and difficult. In order to apply for a PhD Program, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

-Bachelor’s Degree, with good standing in relevant discipline
-Research based Master’s Degree (GPA over 85%, varies based on university and other applicants’ credentials) with a publishable thesis
-English Proficiency: TOEFL IBT 90-100+, IELTS 7.0-7.5, or CELPIP Academic 4 or higher
-Resume (CV) with references
-Recommendation letters

Other requirements may apply, depending on the university and program. If you are certain that you meet ALL of the above requirements talk to us today.
 

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