Webinar: The Importance of English Testing for Corporations

Transcription

1 Webinar: The Importance of English Testing for Corporations March 2013 Amy Wood Training & Performance Standards Manager

2 On-demand Distance Business English Training that combines elearning, ewriting and Live Coaching

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4 Agenda Why proficiency frameworks are relevant to the corporate setting What English language tests aim to measure Which standardized tests might meet your corporate needs The effects of testing on recruitment, career development, and evaluation

5 Why test English skills?

6 Why test? Recruitment Ensure candidate qualification Career Development Talent management Workforce and succession planning Training Needs Analysis Analyze language training needs Analyze other needs for training delivered in English Training Effectiveness Evaluation Analyze improvement after language training Analyze improvement after other training

7 Why test?

8 Effective International

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10 What is proficiency?

11 What is Proficiency? A measurement of Competence Skill Expertise There are two kinds of proficiency: Technically-oriented Action-oriented

12 Technically-Oriented Proficiency with the technical aspects of language or book knowledge Grammar Vocabulary Lexicon Phonology Proficiency

13 Action-Oriented Proficiency Proficiency with what one can DO / CREATE / ACHIEVE with the language Understanding changes to product specifications Recording meeting minutes Understanding spoken instructions Describing a process

14 Why are proficiency frameworks relevant to the corporate setting?

15 Standardized Proficiency frameworks offer standardized, widely accepted, detailed definitions of proficiency levels Proof of proficiency using a standardized framework Reputable Trusted Portable achievement Test in China, work successfully in Brazil Establish a common reference for description of proficiency Different tests measure the same proficiencies

16 Frameworks CEFR = Common European Framework of Reference Developed by the Council of Europe (COE) ALTE = Association of Language Testers in Europe Developed by Association of Language Testers (Included founding member Cambridge English)

17 Basic User Independent user Proficient user CEFR Level ALTE LEVEL CEFR Sample Description* ALTE Sample Description* C2 ALTE 5 Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of of meaning even in in more complex situations C1 ALTE 4 Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for searching expressions for expressions Can use language flexibly and effectively for for social, academic and professional purposes B2 ALTE 3 Can interact with a degree of of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either for either party party B1 ALTE 2 Can produce simple connected text on on topics which are familiar or or of of personal interest A2 ALTE 1 Can communicate in in simple and routine tasks requiring tasks requiring a simple a simple and direct and exchange direct exchange of of information on familiar on familiar and and routine routine matters matters Can advise on or talk about complex or sensitive issues, understanding colloquial references and dealing confidently with hostile questions Can contribute effectively to to meetings and seminars within seminars own within area of own work area or of keep work up or a keep casual up a conversation casual conversation with a good with degree a good of degree fluency, of coping with fluency, abstract coping expressions with abstract expressions Can follow or give a talk on a familiar topic or keep up keep with up a with conversation a conversation a fairly on a wide fairly range wide of topics range of topics Can express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in matters a limited in a way limited or offer way advice or offer within advice a known within area, and a known understand area, and instructions understand or public instructions or announcements public announcements Can express simple opinions or requirements in a familiar in a familiar context context A1 ALTE Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at at the satisfaction of of needs of of a concrete type Can understand basic instructions or take part in in a basic factual conversation on a predictable topic * Descriptions are incomplete. Examples were taken from the general language ability can do statements from the CEFR and ALTE.

18 Which standardized tests might meet your corporate needs?

19 Choices

20 Scope & Purpose English-speaking environment? Academic / University Business / Corporate General English for immigration Communicative tasks? Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening Does one have priority? Subject matter? Special needs, such as legal vocabulary

21 Overview TOEIC TOEFL IELTS BULATS BEC Preliminary BEC Vantage BEC Higher FCE English for the workplace and business communication For qualification for work and admission to business related academic programs English for academic settings For admission to educational institutions, immigration; also accepted by employers General and academic English Two test formats for reading and writing: General Training and Academic For admission to educational institutions and immigration; also accepted by employers English for the workplace For work qualifications, admission to business related programs, assessment of training English for the workplace in three proficiency levels For work qualification and admission to business related programs Assessment of upper intermediate users of English For work qualification and admission to business related programs

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23 Review Why are proficiency frameworks relevant to the corporate setting? What do English language tests aim to measure? Which standardized tests might meet your corporate needs? What are the effects of testing on recruitment, career development and evaluation?

24 White Paper Participants of this webinar received a copy of A Guide to English Tests and Proficiency Frameworks. A recording of this webinar is available on gofluent s website.

25 Our White Papers A Guide for Developing a Request for Proposal for Language Training Services The ROI of Training: Strategies and Evaluation Methods From Blended Learning to Integrated Learning How to Implement Mobile Learning in Global Organizations A Guide to English Tests and Proficiency Frameworks

26 THANK YOU! gofluent International Теl.: +1 (515)