Canada Dream# IELTS Exam Episode 1

Once, the result of twelfth from medical stream was out and already seats in VIT Vallore campus, Thapar , Shiv Nadar and Amrita Vishwa University were left with a great risk lurking in near future for my first born. Since, my son had refused to go for NEET, l being an illumined and aware mom that's what l had felt at that time  had wished to save his year and was trying not to let any chance available at hand to slip and desired to grab a seat in one of the best Universities that offered Biotechnology as guided by one of Education Guru's, a very famous career counselor. The more l dived into the realm of engineering by trusting and depending entirely on the wisdom and free counseling offered by some of my dear ex- students , l realized that Biotechnology from lndia had nothing much to offer. So far it's the lowest paying field in our nation. The concensus was that ultimately after graduation my son would have no other option but to try his luck in overseas in the field of research. 

Meanwhile, my husband  who had lived Canada Dream at one time and had applied for immigration for the same came up with the idea of sending our  son to Canada for higher studies. It was a thought even mention of which left me infuriated and heart broken. 

Initial response on my part was of negation . It was a time when as if we were walking on a dense and dark corridor.  On one hand, my husband had made up his mind to send our son to Canada for futher education l on another was still trying to explore the available options at hand in our own nation. Meanwhile an idea struck that l should discuss the matter with one of my dearest first cousins who has got a lot of first hand knowledge in the field of science.  Discussion with her was like a silver lining in the dark cloud. She suggested that we shouldn't think of Biotechnology from lndia and should go for the other available option. She insisted that l should take opinion of one of our relatives who lived in Canada. She had hoped that her opinion would get a boost from that person as well. Though, l trusted my cousin a lot yet l wasn't hundred percent convinced. As asked l had a detailed conversation with my relative overseas. But  the conversation that followed wasn't what l and my cousin had anticipated. It seemed that though our relative was an lndian he was prejudiced. Instead of telling us about available options  the first thing he asked was where would my son be staying.l told him that one of my dearest students would pick him and make arrangements for his stay like rest of the lndian students abroad.  Then he questioned what would he eat and if l have taught him cooking as Canada isn't like our nation there won't be any maids available.  I tried to pacify him by saying that he would learn the basics and that my son is not very foodie kind. He further pointed out it's not like lndia. Assignments and all education depend online and that if a child delays submission of due work for even five minutes his assignment won't be accepted.  I told him politely that my son's grooming for laptop usage was going on since a couple of months. My remark as if flared him up and he commented emphatically that the boys from Punjab and Haryana flock to Canada and then create ruckus,  break the laws of the land and then get deported back to lndia. That remark was sufficient to convert a warm, proud lndian mom into a burning volcano ready to burst and burn everything that would come in its way.  Trying to maintain my cool which was something beyond my range in that situation l pointed out to him that my child is very disciplined and has a limited number of friends. He has never been fond of parties etc. He told me strongly that that's what every lndian mother thought of her kids and are mostly unaware of what happens right under their nose. When l tried to tell him that my son is a bright student and a focused child , he again commented if he is so bright then why not to keep him in lndia.  Last but not the least he pointed out that fees would be too high for us to manage if l would have continued the conversation which l didn't wish to. I humbly told him that the father of my kids had already arranged and saved enough for our children. I thanked him for his kind and wise words and disconnected the call. At that time my heart was beating fast and mind was racing faster than the horses on a race course.  

I called my husband and asked him to pay the IELTS coaching fees for a month since my perception was by then crystal clear.  How could anyone challenge the values inculcated by an lndian mother ? I felt that people should realize that all fingers of a hand are never equal. During all this discussion l was at my mother's place in Solan with my daughter for a week or so and my son was with his father.  My husband was a bit surprised but relaxed since l had finally given my consent . Duo father and son visited one of the most famous IELTS coaching centres in the city, where the faculty members at the centre insisted that my son must join coaching for three months for better bands which meant around  twenty one thousand rupees plus around fifteen thousand test fee,an amount which l deemed wasn't required at all to be paid.They pointed out to my husband that it would be unwise to give exam after coaching of a single month. They employed their all tactics to fleece my husband and almost convinced him to pay three months fees. I knew being an English teacher that my son just needed a practice test series. He is in the habit of reading English newspaper thoroughly since class vi or vii.  He is an avid reader. Hence, his command over language was sufficient enough to get the required bands as per requirement of Canadian education system.In order to satiate his hunger for reading l had to always carry an extra bag full of the books for him during summer vacation to my mother's place. I had an argument with the receptionist at the centre who was reluctant to give him seat in the advanced batch. Finally a sort of settlement was offered when an instructor at the centre said that my son had to appear for a mock test and added that if he wouldn't be able to score minimum five bands in writing,  reading and listening skill he would have to join the beginners batch. Turning deaf to his expert advice , trusting my 15 years teaching experience l made him clear that five or three my boy would join the advanced batch. Not being aware of the system of test my son couldn't meet their set target but the centre had to yield before the relentless mother. 

Everyday my son would spend hours at the centre . Disappointment would be visible at both the ends. He didn't like most of the educators there and would be quick and prompt always to pick their errors that they mostly committed. Meanwhile, teachers at the centre especially the one who took speaking session would give a negative report of his progress. I knew my child well and was aware that his target was clear to him and he was anyhow going to make it. It was extremely surprising to notice that in mock tests especially in writing section my son was given negative remarks and sometimes even without errors his write up would be underlined with red. More than the centre people he would depend on me and my opinion. I kept his morale boosted. The only section that was cause of my concern was the spoken part. It wasn't that he couldn't speak well but was the fact that my son is a man of few words and the test required expression. 

Finally,  one month's coaching was over. My husband took fifteen thousand rupees alongwith my son's passport to book the IELTS test  for him. That day to my shock and indignation my husband came back without booking the test slot. The consultant selected for file work was clamoring for IELTS result since he needed to apply in time for January intake while booking of test date was delayed. I got to know that usually the test dates were filled very fast.When l  enquired from my son l got to know that the people at the centre had done the brainwash of my husband second time and convinced him that my child wasn't prepared for exam and needed coaching of two more months. As per their perception there were chances that fee amount would go waste if we wouldn't listen to them. My husband warned me to be ready for consequence if he wouldn't get six bands in all the four skills. I foretold him that my son would get very good bands.

Finally the exam date was fixed after a week . It was to be conducted on two consecutive days. On day one three sections Reading, writing and listening were to be covered and on the second day speaking test was to be done.  Exam was conducted on the due date. On being enquired how exam had gone my son just smiled and asked me to wait for the result. His smile was self-explanatory. After a fortnight the result came as expected by me he got overall eight bands. Full nine in reading, eight point five in listening, seven point five in writing and seven in speaking. I was in school when my son called me to share the result. He asked me to check my what's app for details.  I was on the seventh heaven as my son had proved my claim.

That very day a call came from the centre for my son's pic and a request for him to visit the centre. Both the points were outrightly rejected by my son. I was all smiles at that time relishing the moment.