My Journey to a place at SCAD

My name is Alain Soekhlal, I am 18 year of age, and I am a recent graduate from the AlphaMax Academy.  My dream is to become a famous architect, and I hope that Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) can lead me there.

Alain with Jamiel

Two years ago, I visited SCAD in Georgia, and I was fascinated with the school.  I immediately knew that this was the place I wanted to be.  The school is filled with people from all across the globe. In addition, it is a very quiet place.

SCAD

At the time I was there, I gathered all the information I needed to know about how to apply, the various costs - housing fees, and meal plans.  A year ago, I started to apply online.  There were a number of different fields that were required for acceptance.  I needed a certain amount of money that would support me throughout the course years, I needed a score of 6.5 or higher in the IELTS test, and I needed to fill out a series of different sheets with my information about myself.

Approximately two months ago, I did the IELTS test, and got a score of 7.  I immediately sent my scores to the admissions office where Mrs. Ana Velez was responsible for my work.  I frequently emailed her with different questions and her requests for information.  After I sent my scores, Mrs. Velez had them checked.

 On May 19, 2015, I received an email from Mrs. Velez stating that I was accepted to SCAD.  I was overwhelmed with joy.  I was now another step closer to my dreams.  I then waited a few days for my i20 to arrive.  The i20 is a form that the school sends for the students to take to the American embassy when applying for a student visa.

 After I received the files, I had to report to the American embassy to request a student visa.  My request was approved.  On August 24, 2015, I will go to SCAD in Georgia and start my journey of becoming a well known Architect.

Alain Soekhlal – GAC and AlphaMax Academy 2015 graduate

IELTS Examination on 23-25 April

The IELTS Examination will take place at the AlphaMax Academy from April 23 to 25.

The IELTS  session is scheduled as follows:

-       23rd April –
                   IELTS speaking at 2:30 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. approx. (8 candidates)

-       24th April – IELTS speaking from 9 a.m. to 12 m (8 candidates)

      IELTS speaking from 1:30 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. (9 candidates)

-       25th April – IELTS written session from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (25 candidates) All candidates must show up at 12 noon.

IELTS and TOEFL -Comparison

Both tests are tests of Academic English used for acceptance into university. Both tests include Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. The IELTS includes a Speaking component conducted in a real interview situation with a trained examiner. The TOEFL test is either paper-based or internet-based. In the internet-based test, the Speaking test is done by speaking into a microphone which is recorded and scored.

The IELTS Test is more commonly used for admission into universities in Australia and the U.K. The TOEFL test has been more commonly used for U.S. universities, but the IELTS test is now recognized in the U.S. as well. Check the test dates and availability of the tests at the TOEFL (opens new window) and IELTS (opens new window) websites.

AlphaMax Academy is an IELTS test center and has conducted tests since November 2011. We attempt to attract at least 12 students per test. So far we have conducted tests in November. We did have enough candidates for a test last year March.

So far AlphaMax Students have performed at the higher levels in the IELTS scale.

What is most important in applying for university: GAC GPA, ACT scores or IELTS / TOEFL scores?

Universities have two entry requirements. One is for academic results (GAC GPA, high school and ACT scores) and the other is for English level (IELTS or TOEFL, ACT English score or GAC English modules score). Both entry requirements must be met. However, if your academic results are high enough but your English level is a little low, many universities will offer you a conditional enrollment. This means that you are accepted into their course but must first complete an extra English course.

Internation Examination Dates for AlphaMax Academy Students 2013-14

International Exams		Registration Deadline	Examination Date	Venue
PSAT			Wednesday, 16th October, 2013	AMA
ACT		September 27th , 2013	Saturday, 26th October, 2013	AMA
		November 8th, 2013	Saturday, 14th December, 2013	AMA
		January 10th, 2014	Saturday, 8th February, 2014	AMA
		March  7th, 2014	Saturday, 12th April, 2014	AMA
		May 9th, 2014	Saturday, 14th June, 2014	AMA
IELTS		Exact date to be announced	Saturday, November 2013	AMA
		Exact date to be announced	Saturday, April 2014	AMA

The AlphaMax Academy School Award Winners June 21, 2013

ACADEMY EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Best GAC Award Jason Hoppie, Li Jun Xu

Best ACT Award Justin Ho

Best IELTS Award Cherise Playfair

Best PSAT Award Reann Kersenhout

Best TOEFL Score Michael Grauwde

Humanities Award Reann Kersenhout, Tiffany Hoashin, Justin Ho, -Michael Grauwde

Spelling Bee Awardees Tamia Hoppie, Kevin Loh, Andrea Lau, Joanna Daher, Noor Patandin, Mary Siu, Noelle Sitaram



KINDERGARTEN

Best Performance & Conduct Dhwani Singh Sobti, Yasmine Chee

Phonics Excellence Christine Bai

Math Excellence Vincent Llopis

Arts & Crafts Neal Sitaram

Most Improved Mohini Maijnard, Ranjiv Jarbandhan, Malik King



LOWER SCHOOL

Best Performance Noelle Sitaram, Mariska van de Werken, Jade Chee, Joanna Daher

English Excellence Ethan Pujadas, Martijn van Werken, Shemaiah Johnson, Joshua Hoashin

Phonics Excellence Nathan-Scott Renfurm, Wang Yi

Science Excellence Joshua Hoashin, Alana Eriks, Faith Daniel

Math Excellence Stephanie Bai, As’ad Karamat-Ali

Arts & Crafts Faith Daniel

Merit Award Angelina Wip, Shemaiah Johnson

Best Conduct Martijn van der Werken

Most Improved Yada-Marie Moi-Thuk-Sang, Jia Jie Gao

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Best Performance Jazmyn van Eer, Chevay Despo, Mary Siu, Tamia Hoppie, Noor Patandin

Math Excellence Lakiesha Despo

Science Excellence Emile BramLanay Fernandes, Kyle Krolis, Sally SiuMerit Awards Andrea Lau, Santiago Chehin,Lakiesha Despo, Matthew Ho, Connor Daniels, Emile Bram

Art Excellence Best Performance: Mary Siu, Mark Burgzorg

Most Improved: Sally Siu, Jazmyn van Eer

Technical Drawing Kevin Loh

Most Improved Mark Burgzorg, Sally Siu




JUNIOR HIGH

Math Excellence Nicholson Zheng, Sven Lemmers

English Excellence Cimara Proeve

Science Excellence Sven Lemmers, Kyle Krolis

Technical Drawing Excellence Sven Lemmers

Writing & Literature Cimara Proeve, Elisabeth Sebico

Most Improved Ana Paula de Souza Menezes, Dion de Bie

Academy’s Music Awardees Vivian Zheng, Lakiesha Despo, Sally Siu, Jade Chee



HIGH SCHOOL



Math Excellence: Li Jun Xu, Reann Kersenhout, Tianshu Zhang, Winnie Siu

[Special Mention: Tiffany Hoashin, Michael Grauwde]

Science Excellence Tiffany Hoashin, Winnie Siu, Vivian Zheng, Shannon van Ommeren, Justin Ho Donovan Chen, Cimara Proeve, Michelle Chow, Alain Soeklal

English & Writing: Winnie Siu, Vivian Zheng, Shannon van Ommeren

Business Excellence: Justin Ho

Art Excellence: Tariq Getrouw, Winnie Siu, Gang Lin, Tianshu Zhang

Literature Award: Students from the CXC Literature Class

Technical Drawing: Alain Soeklal, Gang Lin, Winnie Siu

Sports Excellence: Renzo Tjon A Joe, Xiomara Getrouw, Michael Grauwde, Daniel Kolf

Most Improved: Shannon van Ommeren, Tianshu Zheng, Xiomara Getrouw

Kathryn Ong A Kwie

2013 GAC Group Starts

The Global Assessment Certificate (GAC) 2013 group began on September 3rd, 2012 with 10 students.  This is the largest group since the GAC course started in 2007.  The Global Assessment Certificate program is run from Australia by ACT Education Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of the a major US testing service, ACT.   It is a post high school grade 13 course designed to prepare students for college/university work in the English speaking and other universities worldwide.  The GAC program has been accepted by 150 English speaking universities worldwide.

This year courses are in 3 modules:

• Module one runs from September 3rd to November 9th, 2012.
• Module 2 from November 12th, 2012 to February 22nd, 2013.
• Module 3 from February 25th to May 31st, 2013.

This group hopes to match or even better the outstanding performance of the 2012 group!

First IELTS Examination in Suriname

The first IELTS was held at AlphaMax Academy on   Nov 26th 2011.Eight AMA students did the examination.  In the morning the students did the Listening, Reading and writing sections. The speaking examination was done from about 1.30 pm to 4.30pm on the afternoon of the 26th. Mr. Russell Hammond from the British Council in Colombia flew to Suriname to conduct the examination.

Sean Taylor Sean Taylor, Director of Studies in a comment said,” Mr. Hammo9nd conducted the first IELTS examination most professionally – with purposeful clarity and efficiency.  All the candidates were very comfortable with his professionalism and the ease and style in which he presented the exams.”

On the following  Tuesday Mr. Hammond had good meetings with officials in Paramaribo, including the Ministry of Education. 

Sean Taylor, Director of Studies said.” As a result of Mr. Hammond’s visit here and his discussions with us, at the AlphaMax Academy, we are poised and prepared to forge ahead with IELTS in further helping to shape the horizon for quality English education in Suriname.”

The IELTS test is a standardization test to check the communication capabilities of an individual in areas of listening, reading, writing and speaking.  IELTS is compulsory for anyone who intends to study or work in a country where the language of communication is English. Since 1989, the IELTS test has been a worldwide approved test that measures the communication ability of an individual. The IELTS test is recognized in over 120 countries and in more than 4000 institutions and government agencies. More than 5 million students take the IELTS test every year worldwide. It is the fastest growing English language standardization test to date.

The IELTS test is an important proof for immigration formalities in countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The IELTS test is a recognized medium by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies. The IELTS test is similar to the TOEFL test.

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THE IELTS EXAM

On Saturday 26^th November, 2011, the IELTS exam was conducted for the first time in Paramaribo, Suriname at the AlphaMax Academy. The International English Language Testing System known as the IELTS exam consists of four sections. The four sections are: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Listening section is 30 minutes long, the reading 60 minutes, writing 60 minutes and the last part speaking is 15-20 minutes long.

The IELTS exam was taken by eight AlphaMax Students: six from the GAC program and two from the GED program.  The students took classes on Monday and Wednesday evening taught by Mrs Sylvana Dankerlui to help them prepare  for the IELTS exam. On November 26, Mr Russell Hammond, an Englishmen from the IELTS agency came and conducted the exam.

I have taken the TOEFL exam before and it is different from the IELTS exam. The difference is that in IELTS you have a speaking section however in TOEFL you have a grammar section. The structure of the IELTS exam is different from the TOEFL exam. In the IELTS you have two writing tasks however in the TOEFL there is only one writing task. However, for the rest is was about the same.

Written by: Gabriel Grauwde (GAC Class 2012)