Category Archives: CELBAN Writing

CT4 THE DISILLUSIONED DREAMER – ♥ I am here for you, what I really want to know is: are you here for yourself?

Updated this week

DEAR KIM,

Hello again! First of all, i want to  say thank you for all the support you have given me despite the fact that i was not able to become an active student that time. My first experience to take the CELBAN early this year still went smooth despite  my tremendous lack of self confidence and time ( as i described to you my condition before). Kim i got 8 for speaking, 10 for listening, 9 for reading…..BUT a very huge BUT only 6 for writing. The result was fine at first because i tried to console my self that i could just try LPN and not go for RN anymore for when i got my result that was the time that CLPN in our province were accepting applicants with some differences in the English assessment results. After 6 months CLPN approved me for CCA  but they still want me to update my English result. That was the time that my heart shattered because first, i tried to settle for less than what i dream to become; second was  that  the next available spot for CELBAN is March ; third, i din’t know anymore how to approach the writing  and lastly, i will have to be retested again for listening. Its just recently that i managed to forgive myself and forego of the wrong decisions that i made.  From this moment , my experience made me more matured in approaching my goal. I had learned another life lesson  and now i need  to apply it. Kim, with humility, please recommend to me any [reources] for the writing and listening that you think would be able to help me. Thank you very much for reading my letter. S

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CT4 THE DISILLUSIONED DREAMER – ♥ I have nightmares on [CELBAN] writing.

Updated this week

Hi Kim,

I’ve been reading your “Dear Kim” blog articles less than a year. I’ve contemplating to do my bridging program for RN in [province]. I procrastinated though, due to my fear of not passing the IELTS.

[My city] is such a nice place, it’s growing so fast. Sometimes, I like it. Sometimes, I don’t. I came here to Canada 5 years ago as an LPN from the Philippines. I used to be an RN back home. I am currently working in a busy floor, it’s a combination of Labour and Delivery, Postpartum Unit and Gastrointestinal Surgery. Once in a while we also get the not so very young. I have a permanent resident status and just recently submitted my citizenship application.

I love what I do, I know that I was born to be a nurse. Lately, our LPN scope of practice in Alberta has expanded. There are only 3 things an LPN in our unit can’t do. Be an Obstetrical Nurse, spike a blood bag and be a charge nurse. Other that than, LPNs do everything. However, we get paid less. Less than $20/hour.

I want to be honest with you, I want more. I want to get paid more on how good I am.

Does this make me a less nurse? I hope not.

I have a long history with IELTS. Back in 2007, I started taking up the test in Manila for my New Zealand application. They were requiring a band score of 7 on each modules. I took the test 9 times! You know why? Because my writing was always a band score of 6.5. So, I gave up.

I took the plunged again. I sat for IELTS exam. Even though, at the back of my mind, I should’ve taken CELBAN. My test score was L: 8.5 R: 7.5 W: 6.5 S: 7.5 Overall Band Score: 7.5. I was broken-hearted. I was 0.5 away, again.

I speak English everyday at work. I am well-read. I follow CNN newsfeed on social media and loves watching documentaries. I love travelling. I can speak with confidence and smitten anyone with my charming genuine smile, but I suck on writing.

After checking the CELBAN site that test dates and locations will be posted soon, I decided to seek your help. I promised to work hard. I borrowed all the IELTS materials I could borrow from our public library. But, I have nightmares on writing. So, could you please help me prepare for the test? I need your guidance.

Thank you for your time and I hope to talk to you soon.

F

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📋 CT4 THE DISILLUSIONED DREAMER – ♥ I already took the IELTS twice… I admit I almost gave up … [on] my writing skills

Updated this week

 

Hello Kim,

As you may have known me, I’m K,  from Philippines….I have been following your blog for quite some time now. … I’d like to let you know a bit of myself. I’m a BSN, and currently a registered nurse. I worked in a tertiary hospital here for only 14 months. Since then,  I stopped practicing my profession because I’m actually looking for a greener pasture. Otherwise, I wouldn’t flourish knowing that wages here are very, very low and can’t compensate for your wants, needs, and assistance to your very own loved ones. Based on this, maybe you will have an idea that I’m a man with big dreams, and eagerly relentless on pursuing them. =)

I believe in the saying that, “success starts with IELTS.” However unfortunately, I already took the IELTS twice (April and July this year), but never found the luck especially in my Writing. Taking the exam twice in a row, I always got 6.0 bandscore in my Writing while the rest of the components L, R and S were okay. My writing sucks, isn’t it? I usually practiced my writing part before like 2x a week. But I admit I almost gave up knowing that I’ve had the same mistakes and no matter how hard I tried to improve my writing skills, I fairly didn’t have the chance of getting 7 especially during my practices. In my mind I believe that writing skill takes a talent, which I obviously don’t have. I’d like to think that I didn’t get a score of 7 because of the technicality of the IELTS writing topics and the topics themselves are difficult to be explained explicitly, to the point that I ran out of ideas, or no ideas to be input at all 😦

However, sooner, I will be reviewing and sitting for the CELBAN may be early next year if everything goes well. Right now, I have this ambivalent feeling, again. To be honest, I really don’t have any ideas right now what CELBAN is all about except its meaning, Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses. I have with me again this feeling of fear, completely mixed emotions because I don’t know how difficult the CELBAN exam is, or if I can make it with just one take. Although a lot of IENs from the agency where I have applied as student visa for Canada took and passed the exam with just one sit, still I’ve lessened down my expectations to make it….How do I improve IELTS or CELBAN writing? Ielts writing topics are getting more difficult than the ones established few years ago.

How is my above writing Ms Kim?…

Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks a lot!

K

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📋CT4 ♦ WARNING: I did my Celban last May without any preparation or any study guide

Updated this week

Hi Kim, I am from Philippines and just came 2 months here in Canada
I did my Celban last May  without any preparation or any study guide. My score in Listening is 7, Reading 8 Writing 6 and speaking 7 . I was frustrated and I’m planning to take again on November … J


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📋500 Keepsake: I passed my Celban exam the first time…I attempted IELTS twice.

Updated 2021

Hi Kim,

 
First of all, thank you for letting me know about the updates or recent changes with Celban Prep website. I would like to apologize for not being able to reply from your email since I’ve been so busy at work and my exams. I’ve been meaning to send a response but everytime I wanted to construct my testimonial regarding your books, something always comes up.
 
 
I’d like you to know that I passed my Celban exam the first time that I took it last year June 12 2018 after using your speaking and writing level 1 study guide. I only had a month and 2 weeks prior to the exam. I spent 1 month and 2 weeks preparing for celban and I could say your study guide/books really helped me alot.
 
It was like you are giving us, your readers, the basic information or backbone of the said exam.
 
Although  I received other sample reviewers (very basic, like the one from the library), I wasn’t contented with it since it wont teach me the how to start from scratch.

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I don’t know where to start my CELBAN Writing Report: Task 2

Updated 2021

Dear Kim,
 
I don’t know where to start my CELBAN Writing report for Task 2. Are you going to give me a topic and send you 250-500 words report? I’m confused. Please send me the step-by-step process because i don’t have any idea, and i’m not expert with the online process of study. Please help me. Thank you
 
Sincerely,
M
 

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📱 #12 Horaaaaaaaaay, I did it [wrote a perfect report for CELBAN Writing] in 20 minutes

Updated 2023

Updated 2023

Dear Friend,

Every once in a while I post a report written by an IEN for CELBAN Writing during the CELBANPrep Writing one-on-one coaching  (sold separately). Today I am posting this sample to show you that it is possible to write a complete, detailed and organized report in 20 minutes. This one was posted with only one small error. Here is my comment:

Wow, R!  … Perfect! How was the timing? She replied:

Dear Kim

Horaaaaaaaaay, I did it in 20 minutes… I hope that I can do it in a real exam.

Check out the report she wrote! Notice how complete it is. Can you write a report like this, and have it this organized, in 20 minutes or less? ~Kim

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I would just like to know if I can take my CELBAN first, then…apply for the NNAS. 

Updated 2021

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Hello Kim,

First of all, I would like to thank you for the helpful info that you have given others which I have browsed in your sites.  I, too, have similar situations and concerns like many IENS here in Canada trying to pursue their nursing profession.

I am from the Philippines. I am registered nurse back home with clinical experience of about 4 years. I arrived here in Calgary last January of this year, together with my family.

Yes, I have recently taken the CLBPT.  My scores are as follow: (7)listening, (8) speaking, (8) reading, (7) writing.

I have not taken any english exams before (IELTS/CELBAN).  I plan to take CELBAN very soon.  I would just like to know if I can take my CELBAN first, then once I successfully have my results, I plan to apply for the NNAS.  As with the NNAS, its about a year period that I must complete the process so as to avoid additional fees for extension. And the CELBAN score is part of its requirements.

I am looking forward to any valuable info from you that can assist me in my test taking  CELBAN.  I am just like the many that you have encountered who are at the starting point in Canada with not so much resources and finances, but with very big dreams to fulfill here in Canada.  I love it here for sure!

Thanks. C.

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📋 #4 CELBAN Preparation in Dubai 🇦🇪 UAE, 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia and Internationally

Updated 2023

Dear Kim,
Good morning. ..Thank you very much for the reply regarding CELBAN.
I am currently residing in Abudhabi, U.A.E since last 8yrs, working as Registered Nurse in OR, in one the reputed hospitals in U.A.E.
Basically l am from the Southern  part of India, Kerala. I hold the Canadian PR from 2010.But I stayed there in CA, only for a sum of 2-3 months.Actually Abudhabi is my first stop outside India.

I tried IELTS few times,after having the coaching class in India in 2004.Recently I received an IELTS score of overall 7.0(L-7.5, R-6.5, W-7,S-6.5).Unfortunately for CNO, they need a 7.0 band in speaking.

I will be relocated in March.I successfully completed the CRNE.[Now the NCLEX is required.]  For the process of registration completion, l need either IELTS/CELBAN.

I have done the free self assessment for the CELBAN, (R-8 and L-9).So I need further assistance in CELBAN preparation. How can I register myself for the CELBAN prep? Is there any form to be filled out?
I need a positive reply before the offer expires.

Thank you again and expecting a reply as early as possible.

With regards, L

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📋1G* – I am from Philippines currently working as caregiver … I wanted to try CELBAN but I am scared … I am not working in the hospital now for three and half (3 1/2) years

Updated 2021

Dear Kim,

Greetings,
 
Honestly, I am comfused to what english test to take, I was reading about Ielts but I found difficult. I wanted to try CELBAN but I am scared because I don’t have the idea how is the exam is going to be, yes i know, there will be listening, reading, writing and speaking, but I am still wondering how is it going to be done in CELBAN. I have tried IELTS (general) before But I was not satisfied about my score, it was low, its was really bad and frustrating.
 
As when I was viewing all your videos (Dear Kim Canada – YouTube) I’ve heard that there will be role playing , and thats make me scared even more because I am not working in the hospital now for three and half (3 1/2) years, I can feel now as I do not know anything anymore in nursing, like nursing terms and all and so with the writing I am so slow, I practise, I try to write but everytime I read my out its so frustating because its just like it was done by grade 3or grade 5 student… I’m screwed!
 
By the way, I forgot to introduce my self, I am G from Philippines currently working as caregiver and soon to have an open permit, hopefully it will go smoothly.  (I’m working on my papers now). I am planning to complete my english exam within this year, I wanted to be a Licensed practical nurse first then hopefully I can proceed to a Registered Nurse someday if God’s permit.
Thank you…please help me. G

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