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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
5 ways Indian regional languages secretly boost (or hurt) your IELTS performance
Photo: iStock Have you ever thought about why some IELTS candidates find the speaking section difficult, while others seem to find it easy (even if their grammar isn't fantastic)? The answer may lie not in the amount of English knowledge that one has, but rather, in the interference of one's first language. India has an incredible diversity of languages - there are over 120 major languages and 22 officially recognised languages but what many IELTS students do not consider is that their regional language may influence their English, positively or negatively! In an interview with TOI, Ritika Gupta, CEO and Counsellor at AAera Consultants, revealed how. 1. Pronunciation patterns : A hidden trap Photo: iStock Imagine a Tamil speaker saying 'World' as 'Vorld,' or a Bengali speaker turning ' Van' into 'Ban.' Sounds familiar? Many Indian languages lack certain English sounds. For example, because 'v' and 'w' are not a phonemic contrast in Hindi or Tamil, there may be some confusion when pronouncing these two sounds. This will negatively affect your IELTS Speaking score under the "Pronunciation" band descriptor and the "Fluency" band descriptor (or category). Tip: Use minimal pair exercises and listen to BBC or IELTS example interviews to train your ear. 2. Grammar transfer : A quiet saboteur Certain languages, including Punjabi or Gujarati, frequently have syntax that is very dissimilar to English. For example: Punjabi: 'He is individually market.' Correct English: 'He is going to the market.' This is because Punjabi, along with most Indian languages, does not include auxiliary verbs such as is, are, or has. If you are not careful, you will bring this structure into your IELTS with Writing or Speaking (which will lower your Grammatical Range and Accuracy). Tip: Think in English and not by translating. Use apps like Grammarly to reveal your language transfer errors. 3. Vocabulary advantage: English borrowings help Photo: iStock Here's the good news: India's colonial history and modern media culture mean most Indian languages borrow heavily from English. Terms such as 'hospital', 'mobile', 'school', 'government ', etc. continue to be common terms in Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada and even tribal languages, which provides students an advantage when it comes to vocabulary (particularly in the Listening and Reading components). Beware: The usage might differ. 'Preponed' is commonly used in India but doesn't exist in standard English! 4. Fluency boosters: Storytelling like a native speaker Urdu, Telugu and Bengali are some examples of languages where a strong oral tradition exists, with immense storytelling and poetry as well as expressive forms. Speakers of these languages often do better in the Speaking section if they can grasp the sequence of their ideas in English. The stories, descriptors and emotions that are often comfortably used lead to answers that sound natural and engaging. Tip: Practice mock interviews that include storytelling prompts like, 'Describe a time when' to take advantage of this potential storytelling strength. 5. Writing: Tone trouble In a number of Indian languages, the conveyance of formality is made differently from English. For example, English academic writing has passive voice, hedging such as 'it seems,' 'it is likely,' and a tentative tone. Many regional speakers direct too much or have too much emotion when they write, which affects their Task Response and Coherence. Tip: Read some IELTS Band 9 sample essays to see the format, but also realise the tone. Your regional language is not your weakness however, it is your linguistic fingerprint. The secret is to think about how it is impacting your English and then adjust to it. There are many study abroad consultancies that give guidance to students for the same. In time and with practice, you will learn to accommodate the idiosyncrasies and highlight the benefits of your first language such that it becomes not just your voice, it becomes your stronger voice.
Hans India
08-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Indian students turning to Oz as US tightens visa norms
Hyderabad: A growing number of Indian students aspiring to go abroad for higher studies are now choosing Australia over the United States (US) for their higher education, marking a significant shift in academic preferences of foreign-bound students. Education consultants attribute this trend to a combination of practical factors, including tightening of visa norms by the US and Canada. Growing uncertainty in the North American market is also playing a key role. Further, hassle-free visa policies, extended post-study work rights, lower tuition fees, quicker return on investment, and a safer, more affordable lifestyle in Australia, are turning the tide in Oz's favour. While the US has traditionally been the first choice for Indian students, they now say that visa uncertainties and limited work rights under the present Trump dispensation are pushing them to look elsewhere. In contrast, Australia's streamlined visa process and clear pathways to permanent residency are making it an increasingly attractive option. Students aspiring to go to the US have seen rising visa rejections, long delays, and uncertainty surrounding post-study work options, especially under the present dispensation. In contrast, those bound for Australia are seeing a relatively smoother visa process, access to world-renowned institutions, and attractive post-study work opportunities. 'Indian students are increasingly choosing Australia over the US due to several practical reasons. The US has seen rising visa rejections, long delays, and uncertainty surrounding post-study work options—especially under Trump. In contrast, Australia offers a smoother visa process, world-renowned institutions, and attractive post-study opportunities,' says Ritika Gupta, CEO of AAera Consultants Rathan Yarlagadda, CEO of Ascent Consulting Abroad Studies LLP, says 'Two of the most significant reasons are: the abundance of work opportunities during and after studies in Australia, and growing concerns over the possible removal of Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the US, along with the current atmosphere of confusion and misinformation from the US government.' Australia's Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) allows international students to stay and work for 2 to 6 years after graduation, depending on their field and location of study. This is a major draw compared to the US OPT programme, which offers just 1 to 3 years of work authorization, often followed by the complex and competitive H-1B process. According to Dilip Kumar N, Australian Migration Agent at Future in Australia, 'The shift is clear. Australia offers open work rights, faster ROI (return on investment) due to lower tuition fees, and fewer immigration hurdles. It's safer, especially for female students, and recent policy updates—like reduced work visa requirements and new scholarship schemes—are making it even more accessible.' Cost is another critical factor. Australian universities offer relatively lower tuition fees and require lower living expenses compared to US institutions. Students can also work part-time, which helps them manage finances more effectively. Shailandra, Director and Founder of ProgeoN Overseas Education, highlighted the growing appeal: 'Australia's globally ranked universities, multicultural environment, and strong research and career prospects make it the ideal choice. Students find the experience both enriching and financially manageable.' Renu Pandey, Managing Director of SRH Global Edu, summed it up: 'Australia offers academic excellence, career growth, and long-term settlement opportunities in one package. It's a balanced and forward-looking choice for students'.
