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Make the grade with English studies.
International English education is monitored or regulated by a number of worldwide English proficiency tests. Depending on your desired use or recognition when it comes to the English language, there are some tests that are more relevant than others for international learners of English.
They can be broadly categorised into four distinct groups:
- British English
- American English
- International English
- National English
Best known out of the British English exams are the University of Cambridge ESOL examinations, which form part of the
English Cambridge
Assessment. ESOL stands for ‘English for Speakers of Other Languages’ and the Cambridge exams are a series of tests to gauge the level of non-native English speakers who
learn English in England
and abroad. Trinity College London ESOL is also an international examinations board that provides worldwide English assessments. However, whereas Cambridge exams are taken by more than 2 million learners in over 130 countries annually, the figures for the
Trinity College
tests stand at approximately 500,000 candidates in 60 countries.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language, which is perhaps better known as the TOEFL, is used to measure the ability for students to understand and utilise American English at a college level. Many students opt to
learn English New York or in cities throughout the United States before sitting the TOEFL, which is a requirement for non-native applicants at many English-speaking colleges and universities. Another option is the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), which is a comparatively more recent exam, and one endorsed by the
GMAT organisation, the Graduate Management Admission Council.
Non-native English-speakers are also able to undertake the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) to get an internationally relevant ranking of their ability to use English in everyday workplace activities. This series of tests is recognised as the global standard for measuring Business English ability.
Various national English examinations differ from country to country. For instance, the General English Proficiency Test (GEPT) is conducted in Taiwan, and the Test of English Proficiency developed by Seoul National University (TEPS) is the standard for Korean students.
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