Latest news with #CEFR
Local Norway
a day ago
- Politics
- Local Norway
Norway's parliament to debate permanent residence rule changes
If the bill goes through, applicants for permanent residency will no longer need to document that they have completed mandatory training in Norwegian language and social studies up to the most elementary A1 level, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). READ ALSO: How changes to Norway's requirements for permanent residence will affect you Instead, they will need to take a test proving that they can speak Norwegian at the slightly more advanced A2 level, which is defined as the point at which people can understand everyday language and express themselves on basic topics. The changes are scheduled to be debated on Friday, June 6th, with the date of the final vote not yet decided on by the parliament. Advertisement The rules won't apply to those in Norway under the EEA rules, as they instead get the right of permanent residence, which is slightly different. The law change will also introduce new limits to family reunification for immigrants with more than one wife and clarifies the legal basis for financial support for return or repatriation.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Four Johor schools join global project
Onn Hafiz (left) at the smart classroom of SMK Tasek Utara, Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star THE Bangsa Johor Pilot Schools (SRBJ) have made history as the first government institutions in Malaysia to be recognised as Apple Distinguished Schools. This global honour was previously reserved for fully residential institutions. Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said the achievement marked a significant milestone in the state's vision to prepare students for a highly competitive, digital future. 'SRBJ now joins an exclusive group (outside of nine other schools in Malaysia, all of which are fully residential) to receive this international recognition from Apple,' he said. Aznan said 2,496 iPads would be distributed to 2,264 students and 213 teachers under the initiative, through a strategic collaboration between the Johor government, Raja Zarith Sofiah Foundation, Apple Education and sponsor QSR Brands. He added 212 educators had been sent in phases to the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Singapore for training in pedagogical innovation, STEM subjects and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) standards – in preparation for a dual-curriculum model that included both national and international examinations. 'Johor's education system must evolve to meet global expectations and SRBJ is just the beginning,' he told reporters after a parents and teachers sharing session at SMK Tasek Utara in Johor Baru. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the SRBJ initiative, which involved four pilot schools, was undergoing a transformation worth RM30mil, with RM6mil allocated by the state government and RM24mil pledged by corporate partners. He added that the initiative, inspired by Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, aimed at producing world-class students who could thrive in a digital, borderless world. 'The Regent does not want our children to be left behind. 'His vision is for Johor to produce the best students in the country, capable of competing globally,' he said in his speech at the event. The four SRBJ schools – SMK Tasek Utara, SK Tasek Utara, SMK Kota Puteri and SK Kota Puteri 4 – were chosen from more than 1,190 statewide. These schools have since been upgraded with smart classrooms, AI-integrated computer labs, modern canteens, teachers' lounges, amphitheatres, outdoor learning hubs and performance studios. 'We want every teacher to be comfortable and every student to thrive,' said Onn Hafiz. SRBJ students will also sit for international exams such as the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), alongside Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), within the next two years. 'If they fail these exams, the SRBJ mission would have failed,' he said in calling for full cooperation from all stakeholders. All SRBJ students from Year 4 onwards, along with their teachers, will also receive tablets provided under Raja Zarith Sofiah Foundation's corporate social responsibility initiative. 'These are not for games. They are tools to expose our children to cutting-edge technology.' Onn Hafiz also said RM27bil in foreign direct investments recorded in the first quarter of 2025, reinforced Johor's need to cultivate top local talent. 'With high-paying job opportunities coming into Johor, we want our children to study, succeed and serve right here in Johor,' he said.
India Today
5 days ago
- India Today
TOEFL to offer AI-based ID checks, adaptive testing from 2025
Starting next year, the TOEFL test will become more personalised. It will adjust in real time based on how a student performs, thanks to a new multi-stage adaptive design for the reading and listening sections launching in means the questions will change depending on the test taker's skill level, making the test fairer and more ID VERIFICATION AND EASIER REGISTRATIONFrom May 2025, the TOEFL home edition will get a fresh update to make test-taking smoother. One key change is AI-assisted identity verification called ENTRUST. This will reduce check-in problems and speed up the process. Alongside this, the registration and test-day steps will be simplified to help reduce stress and make things easier for SCORING SYSTEM ALIGNED WITH CEFRIn addition to the familiar 0-120 score, TOEFL will introduce a new banded score scale from 1 to 6. Both scores will appear on the new score aligns with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which makes it easier for schools and employers to understand language SHORTER TEST EXPERIENCEETS has been updating TOEFL since 2023. They cut down the test time from three hours to under two and started showing the official score release date right after the goal is to create a less stressful, more efficient experience for test takers TOEFL test is accepted by over 12,000 institutions in 160+ countries. It's especially popular in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, where 98% of universities recognise it. These updates by ETS aim to keep TOEFL modern and user-friendly in a changing world.
Mint
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
New rule for Italian citizenship: 2.5 million non-EU residents may be eligible despite PM Giorgia Meloni's resistance
Over 1.4 million non-EU residents could become eligible for Italian citizenship if Italy passes a new law in the upcoming June 8–9 referendum, according to a study by research centre Idos. Right now, non-EU nationals must live in Italy for 10 years before they can apply for citizenship. The proposed reform will reduce this to five years. If passed, nearly 1.14 million adults and 2.29 lakh children will qualify. Another 55,000 children may get citizenship automatically if their parents become citizens. According to estimates by the +Europa party, about 2.5 million residents will become eligible for Italian citizenship. However, not everyone will qualify. About 7 lakh people may still be ineligible because they don't meet the income requirement. To apply, individuals must earn at least €8,263.31 ( ₹ 8 lakh) annually or more if they are unmarried. If someone is married, they need an annual income of €11,362.05 ( ₹ 11 lakh). For each child, they must have an annual incomde of €516 ( ₹ 50,000). These income rules will remain the same. Among other rules, applicants must prove their proficiency in the Italian language. They will have to appear for a test to pass the B1 level. The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) test checks skills in grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening and making correct sentences. It is used to measure language levels in Europe. For the referendum to be valid, over 50% of voters must take part. Local news reports suggest that this might not happen as voter turnout in Italy is usually low. Since 1995, only four out of 29 referendums in Italy have met the required voter turnout. Italy's right-wing government, led by PM Giorgia Meloni, is not supporting it. Senate Speaker Ignazio La Russa has said he wants people to stay home (and not vote), according to The Local. Matteo Salvini's League party is also promoting a boycott. A party memo even asked members to help stop people from voting. Salvini, who earlier supported referendums, now says he'll go to the beach instead.
Local Norway
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Norway
Permanent residency rules: Everything that changes in Norway in June 2025
Parliament to vote on permanent residence rule changes The Norwegian parliament will vote on changing the Immigration Act to tighten the language rules for permanent residence for some applicants on June 6th. The bill will mean that applicants for permanent residency will no longer need to document that they have completed mandatory training in Norwegian language and social studies up to the most elementary A1 level, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Instead, applicants will need to take a test proving that they can speak Norwegian at the slightly more advanced A2 level, which is defined as the point at which people can understand simple everyday language and express themselves on basic topics. The rules won't apply to those in Norway under the EEA rules, as they instead get the right of permanent residence, which is slightly different. The law change will also introduce new limits to family reunification for immigrants with more than one wife and clarifies the legal basis for financial support for return or repatriation. Deadline to negotiate the revised national budget The revised national budget must be ready to be presented to parliament by June 13th and must be adopted before the parliament's summer break begins on June 20th. The current Labour government will need to negotiate with the Centre Party and the Socialist Left Party in order to reach majority support for its fiscal plan. The Centre Party left government earlier this year over a row on EU directives, while the Socialist Left Party has been Labour's preferred negotiating partner for budgets and major policy Both the Centre Party and Socialist Left Party have promised tough negotiations. The Socialist Left Party wants more redistribution of wealth, while the Centre Party wants to cut VAT on food. Advertisement Salmon rivers to open Salmon rivers in Norway will open for the season during June. The exact opening date may vary from area to area. The salmon season will then run until the end of August. Norway is considered by many to have some of the world's finest salmon fishing rivers. Those looking to fish must make sure they pay both for the fishing licence and the local fishing fee. Some rivers may not even open this year due to dwindling fish stocks. Summer solstice Saturday, June 21st 2025, will mark the summer solstice in Norway. In most parts of Norway, you can expect it to remain light hours past midnight. From that day forward, the days in Norway will gradually get shorter until the winter solstice in December. While the longest days of the year can make it hard to sleep if you don't have a curtain or blind, the extra light is perfect for activities like hiking and jogging after a long day at work. Longer trips are also possible as it won't get dark quite as soon. The sun will be visible between June 12th and July 1st as the clock strikes midnight in the Arctic Circle. In Bodø, the midnight sun is visible between June 4th and July 8th. Advertisement The sun is visible in parts of Norway as the earth rotates on a tilted axis relative to the sun. The north pole is angled towards the star, meaning the sun never sets. School summer holidays The last day of the school year across much of Norway will be Friday, June 20th, and kids won't return until a new school year begins on Monday, August 18th. Pride events Oslo Pride will occur between June 20th and June 28th, and the main parade will occur on June 28th. Oslo Pride is the country's largest LGBTQIA+ celebration. The parade will begin in Grønland. Bergen Pride will take place between June 13th and June 21st, with a parade and closing concert taking place on the 21st.
