Many Filipinos dream of working as a healthcare professional in the United Kingdom. Luckily for 25-year-old Charles Castaneda, that dream will soon come to fruition.
In a few months, he will be flying to the UK to start his career as a nurse, a dream come true that Castaneda attributes to his success taking the IELTS test (International English Language Testing System).
At first, Castaneda viewed IELTS as a challenge that he needed to overcome to push through with his plan of working abroad.
“But the more I prepared for it, I realized it was more of a bridge that will bring me closer to pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse in the UK,” he shared.
Taking IELTS is among the UK body requirements to work as a nurse in the UK. An IELTS band score of not less than 7 across all sections of the test is required to prove that the test taker is able to communicate well in English. This will allow them to be able to communicate well, to build rapport with colleagues, understand the needs of the patients, and explain therapeutic interventions.
“As a healthcare professional, being able to communicate well in English is essential because we deal with people’s health and wellbeing,” said Castaneda.
Castaneda took IELTS with the British Council earlier this year. He chose to take it with the organization because of its long history of teaching and assessing English, making them an authority in the English language.
“I also found out that upon signing up for the test, the British Council offered a lot of free resources for me to utilize, so I can really prepare for the test and achieve my desired band score,” shared Castaneda.
Castaneda noted how the Road to IELTS, an online preparation course by the British Council, made preparation for the test convenient for him.
Working as a nurse in one of the biggest hospitals in Manila, he didn’t really have time for himself because he often had to render overtime work beyond his assigned 9-to-5 shift, even on weekends.
“It was really convenient for me because I couldn’t find time to physically be at their office to use the resources,” he said. “With Road to IELTS, I was able to prepare for the test during my free time. I had 30 hours free access to its video tutorials and sample tests. All I needed was an Internet connection and my phone.”
Overall, Castaneda is grateful to have the chance to make his dream of working in the UK come true by taking the exam.
“I’m excited to practice my profession in the UK, and I’m happy that I will soon be reaping the benefits of the hours I spent in preparing for this test,” he enthused.
