One of The University of Queensland’s most popular edX courses has hit a 500,000 enrolment milestone.
The IELTSx – IELTS Academic Test Preparation course is offered on edX.org, the non-profit online learning platform founded by Harvard and MIT.
Since launching in 2015, IELTSx has attracted people from more than 218 countries and territories, with learners from Vietnam, Egypt and India accounting for the highest number of enrolments.
The online English course was developed by UQ’s Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ) to help students prepare for assessment through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
ICTE-UQ Director Julian Wilson said the course averaged about 1000 enrolments per day from across the globe, building on the expansion of ICTE-UQ’s and the University’s domestic and global footprint.
“I would like to congratulate all staff involved in reaching this milestone. Results like this confirm that we are continuing to fulfil an unmet global demand for online IELTS test preparation, and help learners reach their educational goals,” Mr Wilson said.
“With this course, we have been able to translate 35 years of experience and expertise in teaching classroom English into a free innovative online learning platform.
“IELTSx has brought high-quality IELTS preparation training to communities where there is low-quality English language teaching, or where there is no English language teaching at all.
“The course also allows schools, colleges and universities that do not have technical expertise in IELTS to provide test preparation to their students and staff, enabling them to access scholarship funding for further higher education globally,” Mr Wilson said.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) Professor Doune Macdonald said the online course provided prospective UQ students with valuable support and guidance in their IELTS preparation.
“I am pleased that IELTSx has been able to support so many learners to reach their goal of English language proficiency.
“For those who then apply to study on campus, they will find a welcoming and supportive environment as UQ continues to implement initiatives that improve the student experience.”
Anant Agarwal, edX CEO and MIT professor said that edX is thrilled to see this overwhelming interest in UQx’s IELTSx course offering.
“We congratulate UQ on achieving this milestone accomplishment in enrolments and for their work to reach so many learners on a global scale.
“Learners come to edX to gain the knowledge they need to advance their careers and improve their lives.
IELTSx incorporates more than 80 hours of materials presented through various activity types and online tools, and includes built-in comprehensive and corrective feedback.
Register for the free course here.
Media: Catherine Bennett, UQx, c.bennett1@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 0850: Caroline Bird, ICTE-UQ, c.bird1@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 6707.
