Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you considered studying abroad? If yes, where are you thinking of studying? If not, what are your reasons for not considering it?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- minister /MIN-uh-ster/
- treat /treet/
- requirement /ri-KWAHYUHR-muhnt/
- economy /ih-KON-uh-mee/
- billion /BIL-yuhn/
[noun] – a government official who heads a specific department or ministry
The Minister of Education announced new initiatives to improve school facilities across the country.
[verb] – to behave towards someone or deal with something in a particular way
The teacher treats all students equally, regardless of their background.
[noun] – the conditions or criteria that need to be met
Meeting the GPA requirement is essential for admission to the prestigious university.
[noun] – the system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services within a country or region
The government implemented new policies to stimulate the economy after the recession.
[noun] – a numerical value representing a thousand million
The tech company’s latest acquisition deal is valued at over $10 billion, marking a significant expansion in its market influence.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Australia has raised visa fees for international students, more than doubling them from A$710 to A$1,600. This change aims to handle the increase in people moving to Australia, which has put more pressure on finding homes. The decision is part of the government’s broader plan to improve the immigration system, focusing on fairness and efficiency.
Clare O’Neil, the Minister for Home Affairs, explained that the higher fees, effective immediately, are meant to make sure the international education system is honest and to create a migration system that treats everyone fairly, is smaller, and works well for Australia. Recent numbers from the government show a big 60% increase in the number of people moving to Australia, reaching a record 548,800 for the year ending September 30, 2023. Australia’s student visa fees are now significantly higher than in the US and Canada, which charge about $185 and C$150 ($110) respectively. The government also aims to restrict pathways allowing international students to stay in Australia long-term, leading to a 30% rise in new visas to over 150,000 in 2022–2023. These changes accompany other recent regulations, including stricter English requirements in March and increased financial criteria in May—the second rise in seven months. Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, expresses concerns about these policies’ impact on universities, warning they could diminish Australia’s global standing and revenue from international students. International education is crucial to Australia’s economy, contributing A$36.4 billion in 2022-2023.
Clare O’Neil, the Minister for Home Affairs, explained that the higher fees, effective immediately, are meant to make sure the international education system is honest and to create a migration system that treats everyone fairly, is smaller, and works well for Australia. Recent numbers from the government show a big 60% increase in the number of people moving to Australia, reaching a record 548,800 for the year ending September 30, 2023. Australia’s student visa fees are now significantly higher than in the US and Canada, which charge about $185 and C$150 ($110) respectively. The government also aims to restrict pathways allowing international students to stay in Australia long-term, leading to a 30% rise in new visas to over 150,000 in 2022–2023. These changes accompany other recent regulations, including stricter English requirements in March and increased financial criteria in May—the second rise in seven months. Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, expresses concerns about these policies’ impact on universities, warning they could diminish Australia’s global standing and revenue from international students. International education is crucial to Australia’s economy, contributing A$36.4 billion in 2022-2023.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Why did Australia decide to increase visa fees for international students?
- According to Clare O’Neil, what goals do the higher visa fees aim to achieve?
- How much did Australia’s student visa fees increase?
- What concerns does Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, have about the new policies?
- What other regulations did the Australian government introduce along with the increase in visa fees?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you or someone you know been affected by changes in visa fees or immigration policies? If so, how has it impacted your or their plans? If not, how do you think such changes could affect international students?
- If you were an international student planning to study in Australia, how would you feel about the significant increase in visa fees from A$710 to A$1,600?
- Do you agree with Clare O’Neil’s statement that higher visa fees are necessary to ensure honesty in the international education system and fairness in migration policies?
- What are the ethical considerations involved in setting visa fees and immigration policies that affect international education?
- What long-term effects could Australia experience from these changes in visa fees and immigration policies, both economically and culturally? How might these changes influence global perceptions of Australia as a study destination and its international relations?