Posted 17 Apr 2009
TEFL teachers could be in demand from would-be Australian immigrants following the government’s decision to raise the level of English language needed to work in the country.
The Australian 457 visa, which allows employers to sponsor foreign workers for jobs in their company for up to four years, is now unobtainable for people who score below five points on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Previously, the level stood at 4.5.
Although skilled trades and chef applicants are the only sectors currently affected by the changes, other industries fear similar reforms could jeopardise their businesses.
Kevin Cottrell from the Australian Meat Industry Council told ABC News: "IELTs 5 would make it quite difficult for a number of people working in the meatworks to get that sort of a level of English."
In other news that may interest Australian TEFL teachers, a Sydney high school has revived a forgotten Aboriginal dialect.
Dharug lessons are now being offered not only to indigenous students, but also non-indigenous Australians and other from Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Category: TEFL Industry
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