JUST IELTS workshop inspires many

The recent 'How to start IELTS preparation' workshop at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) has inspired students and guardians alike. The Students Counselling and Guidance Centre in association with JUST Research Society arranged the workshop from August 17 to 19. Such a career-oriented arrangement by any university is rare in Bangladesh. The social media saw floods of comments made by students of other educational institutions expressing their enthusiasm about this event.

In many countries around the world, non-native speakers of English who are willing to go to the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and many other countries for studies need to sit for Academic IELTS. Also, those who are planning to go for migration to these countries need to sit for General Training IELTS.

That is why it can be seen that there is a mushrooming growth of IELTS centres in the country. Interested ones are also receiving IELTS preparation training online. Students, professionals and others who are interested are attending the course in exchange for money. With the teachers, they sharpen their knowledge in four areas: how candidates can read text and understand the language (READING), how they can speak in the language (SPEAKING), how they can write (WRITING), and how they understand conversation/speech (LISTENING). After taking preparation, they sit for the real International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Out of a 9-band score, results range from 9.0 downwards subject to performance of candidates. In Bangladesh, one needs to pay Tk 28,450 to sit for the exam these days. Candidates can sit for the examination as many times as they need to get the desired score. Every time, they have to pay the full amount of IELTS appearing fee.

The growing popularity of IELTS across Bangladesh demonstrates how English proficiency has become a gateway to global opportunities, motivating young students to view English not just as a subject but as a practical skill for their future careers.

This test was launched in 1989 in joint collaboration with the British Council, IDP IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Language Assessment of Cambridge University.

Inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Md Abdul Mazid, the event created huge enthusiasm among the students. The trainers at the three-day IELTS training were those who achieved good scores in their IELTS. They are the former students of the university, and are on the verge of going abroad for higher studies. In light of their success, Shoyeb Muhammad Sajal, Al Saber Peyash, Sayeed Anwar and Asif Iqbal Jebon delivered speeches to the current students of the campus on reading, writing, speaking and listening of the international language.

Around 180 kilometres away from the capital city of Dhaka, JUST is relatively new compared to some old universities of the country. Launched in 2007, the university has already been a breeding ground for study abroad admission-seekers. Every year, a number of students of the university go abroad for higher studies. While going abroad, the seniors suggest juniors: "Study hard for IETLS, your opportunities are knocking at the door." Juniors feel inspired for admission to good departments at reputed universities. This time the university arranged the IELTS event for these aspirtant students on its campus. Interestingly enough, there participated around 1,500 aspirant students. If young people are engaged in such good career-oriented workshops, they will definitely bring good results for us.

This is high time we prepared our young people for the future days. The sooner the other universities of the country will arrange such a career event, the better. Let our students be engaged in training of IELTS-TOEFL-GRE-GMAT, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), speaking good Bangla, debates and speeches, cultural events, and sports.

The young people are passing the golden period of their life. If they are given proper guidance about how a job is in private or public sector, how to be entrepreneurs, what type of preparation is needed while going abroad, who are going abroad, the nation will surely reap benefits in the near future.

The initiative of JUST for its students is being discussed at home and abroad. There might be some people who may criticise--why universities in Bangladesh will arrange courses to prepare them for IELTS. They may argue that universities have to ensure good departmental studies for its students. Obviously, departmental studies come first. Besides that, they can also prepare themselves for future studies or a future profession.

When it comes to learning a language, we have to learn English also besides being very strong in our mother tongue Bangla. When students see their peers achieving success through IELTS and securing international opportunities, it creates a positive cycle where English learning becomes aspirational rather than obligatory, inspiring more young minds to embrace the language with enthusiasm and purpose.

"Let this nation breathe in Bangla's song,

Yet learn in English, happy and strong.

So the world may rise to see,

The greatest we shall ever be."

Why will we be confined to learning Bangla and English only? Why not our young people learn other languages such as Korean, Chinese, Japanese, French, German etc.? This country is the country of Dr Muhammad Shahidulllah (1885-1969). This respected linguist mastered 24 languages and could deliver speeches fluently in 18 languages. Why not our young people learn several languages?

Let this tradition of JUST for conducting IELTS workshop for its students continue. Let other colleges and universities arrange such career-related events for the students all year long. Let our young people move forward. These people will surely contribute towards a better Bangladesh.

asheqbd@gmail.com