IELTS : Money down the drain

Money down the Drain :IELTS

In this so-called modern era in Bangladesh, college or university going students around the
country at least for once dream to pursue decent education from top-ranked foreign institutes. In
that case, a minimum IELTS band score is a must. And IELTS exam fee, currently 18,750, along
with course preparation including materials, mock test costs a student nearly 25000 to 30000
taka. Now the less your English proficiency the more cash you have to burn.
Let's dive into the ocean. British Council or IDP conducting IELTS exam in our country under
Cambridge Assessment English do not disclose how many students how many times taking
IELTS exam. Register of British Council, Bangladesh, in a statement in The Daily Star on 13
May, 2013 said that 15000 to 20000 candidates sit IELTS each year. Among them only 1500 to
2000 students attended various preparatory courses at British council and the rest tend to start
shadow learning, private tutor or coaching centre. The test takers now two to three times higher
undoubtedly. And how many coaching centers and private tutors out there around the country are
beyond the wildest dream. As there are no such governmental strict regulations or specific
guidelines.
My five-year experience as an IELTS instructor in Cumilla is that only 2 or 3 out of 20
candidates from a batch finally attend exam but everyone paying the course fee, even extra cash
charged for private tutorials. If in a coaching having 3 to 5 batches comprising 20 students in
each then it accounts for more than a million Bangladeshi taka. So, how about all other cities in
our country including two biggest cities, Dhaka & Chittagong? Can you imagine? The answer is
unknown but the amount is huge. 
These IELTS coaching centers & private tutors have clear idea about IELTS is not a course to
develop your English rather it is a language test where your expertise in English required before
taking the preparation for exam. But they intentionally enroll you in IELTS batch, few class later
when you realize you lack basic knowledge, just after they offer fundamental courses. So, your
overall investment on IELTS jump to approximately 50000 taka. Again keep guessing how many
students in our country spend money into the wasteland. This is surely wrecking the economy
directly or indirectly but why finance ministry not taking a sharp look at I wonder. 
Another hypocrisy you will come across on billboards or posters in social media assuring 7+ out
of 9. How do they confidently say when someone's English level is below standard? It is like
painting walls without the plaster. Moreover, addressing some erroneous techniques, they seek
the attention and demand more money but they don't have proper training or recognition from
any authorities conducted IELTS exam. 
Now take a look at IELTS course materials. IELTS books available in our country are lousy. One
who sat IELTS once starts writing a book on his own. Besides, the renowned coaching centers
publishing IELTS books with lots of vague information, set unreasonable price. Those cheap
materials are always in demand for the sake of eye-catching promotion strategy. Again the
ultimate result is nil. Nothing fruitful we are getting actually.
IELTS is prerequisite for those, irrespective to any educational or professional backgrounds,
looking forward to studying abroad or migration purpose. So, government should put an extra
weight to this sector in order to stop fraud IELTS instructor from earning easy money and people
need to think twice before taking irreversible decision.