In this text I want to focus on validation of
english language skills, why? Because when
googling ‘list of language proficiency tests’ in
the english section i got 46.. So i want to know
which ones are ‘the best’ and even why do we
need proofs of our language skills on paper?
Why it is so important? Can we use something
different?
Let’s start with the base of rating of your
language skills: Common European
Framework of Reference for Languages:
Learning, Teaching, Assessment which is
a guideline used to describe achievements
of learners of foreign languages across Europe
and, increasingly, in other countries(...) states
that we have 3 levels of knowledge of the
language which for sure are known for all
and they are: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.
I remember starting from primary school
the english tests that were putting us in
those different boxes according to those
6 levels.. My english grammar was always
worse than my speaking and understanding
skills and tests itself especially at first days
of school are nothing fun and makes you so
stressed, so I usually was put in the box of
‘your english sucks’ and was learning over
and over again basic stupid things…
Then around high school the Cambridge
English language assessment got trendy so
FCE, CAE, TOEFL started to look very good on
your university application etc. and I think still
they are the most common validation.
I remember plenty of language schools
offering preparation for the those tests and
costing a lot..
At University when I was trying to get for an
Erasmus exchange I needed official english
language proof so I got a chance to go during
the summer for an english course at the
Barnet and Southgate college in London.
Course itself was not so bad, I think i learned
more just because I was living in London and
from conversations with others in english and
not by the classes itself.. but I got this paper
that states that I took part in this college and
got advanced skills of english.. This let me
apply for Erasmus exchange.. But it’s stupid.
Isn’t it?
You work hard to learn the language,
no matter the methods, if it’s at school, if it’s
online, talking to people in other language
itself it is not easy, when you gain it and you
are happy it is still not enough to prove it
without this piece of paper that will
decide if you can apply for University,
Erasmus exchanges, job..