English Language Testing
Testing programs on this page include only those exclusively dealing with English language proficiency. Other tests and topics, such as school placement examinations and testing organizations are listed in their own respective sections.
With so many different certification and testing programs to choose from it can be confusing for students to know which to take and what set of courses or materials to be using. Some of the many tests to choose from include:
The tests above (there are MANY more if we also consider languages other than English) can be broken down into four categories:
- General English Language Proficiency
- Business English
- School Placement
- English Language Teaching Certification
Note: Not all tests are included here and there is some overlap in the above categories. Notably absent are the Cambridge General English series and the UK school proficiency tests. We hope to add these sections here soon.
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
Each of the above certification examinations measure proficiency at different levels with different scoring methods. The wide range of test scoring and different training systems in part led to the establishment of the CEFR. The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) model is an Internationally recognized framework making it possible to relate courses to other training or testing programs. The model provides objective criteria for describing and assessing language proficiency in an internationally comparable manner. The CEFR describes six levels of language ability: A1 (Breakthrough), A2 (Waystage), B1 (Threshold), B2 (Vantage), C1 (Effective Operational Proficiency), and C2 (Mastery). more…
General English Language Proficiency
The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS /ˈaɪ.ɛlts/, is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. Established in 1989 it is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment. IELTS is one of the major English-language tests in the world, others being the TOEFL and TOEIC exams. IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand academic institutions, by over 3,000 academic institutions in the United States, and by various professional organizations across the world. more…
The Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL (/ˈtoʊfəl/, TOH-fəl) is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in American universities. The test is accepted by many English-speaking academic and professional institutions. TOEFL is a trademark of the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a private non-profit organization, which designs and administers the tests. ETS issues official score reports, sent independently to institutions, for two years following the test. more…Business English
The Business English Certificates (BEC) exams are produced by Cambridge English and test English in a business context. There are three testing levels: BEC Preliminary (B1), BEC Vantage (B2) and BEC Higher (C1). The tests have four sections: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Authorized testing centers around the world provide the test on a monthly basis. Business experience is not needed for this test but the BEC tests English in a business setting. more…
The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) is “an English language test designed specifically to measure the everyday English skills of people working in an international environment.” There are different forms of the exam: The TOEIC Listening & Reading Test consists of two equally graded tests of comprehension assessment activities totaling a possible 990 score; the newer TOEIC Speaking & Writing Test comprises tests of pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, fluency, overall coherence, and structure (organization of sentences) totaling a possible 400 score. In addition to the official TOEIC tests, there are also versions that individual businesses and educational institutions can purchase for internal use. These “Institutional” TOEIC tests can be administered at the organization’s choice of location and time for their employees or students. more…
The Business Language Testing Service (BULATS) is a multilingual set of workplace language assessment, training and benchmarking tools. The test is also available in Spanish, French and German versions. BULATS is used internationally for business and industry recruitment, identifying and delivering training, admission to study business-related courses and for assessing the effectiveness of language courses and training. The test results are expressed as CEFR levels.
Please note that from January 2017 all BULATS tests will be carried out online and the paper-based version will be withdrawn. From the same date, Cambridge English Language Assessment will no longer offer the French, Spanish or German versions of BULATS. Alliance Française, Goethe Institut and Universidad de Salamanca are currently reviewing the future of these versions of BULATS and will be making further announcements in due course. more…
English Language Teaching Certification
The Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL) is a TESOL or TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate designed for those with little or no experience of teaching English. It equips candidates with the basic skills and knowledge needed to take up a first post as an ESOL teacher and provides an introduction to the theory and practice of English teaching and an insight into the challenges facing the learner and the role of the teacher.The CertTESOL is accepted by the British Council as an initial TESOL or TEFL qualification for teachers in its accredited teaching organizations in the UK and in its own teaching operations overseas. Credits are also awarded towards degree programs offered by universities in the UK.
Trinity also provides other TESOL training and accreditation including the Trinity Diploma in TESOL (DipTESOL) and the Fellowship Diploma in TESOL Education Studies (FTCL TESOL). more…
The Certificate in English Language to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) is a teacher training qualification for teaching English as a second or foreign language (ESL or EFL). It is provided by Cambridge English Language Assessment through authorized Cambridge English Teaching Qualification centers and can be taken either full-time or part-time. CELTA was developed to be suitable both for those interested in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and for Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL). CELTA is designed for candidates with little or no previous English language teaching (ELT) experience. It is also taken by candidates with some teaching experience who have received little practical teacher training or who wish to gain internationally recognized qualification. Candidates should have English language skills equivalent to at least C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or an IELTS score of 7.5. more…