Test English Proficiency

Why test English proficiency of ESL learners?

Test English Proficiency provides information and resources for ESL learners and LEP students preparing to take English language proficiency exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, ILEC and the ICAO aviation industry standard. Learn more about some of the most widely-used exams to test English proficiency in various industries as well as take practice tests. As this is a work in progress, check back for updates.

Why test English proficiency of ESL learners? The answer may seem obvious, but here are some facts:

English is an official language in more than 52 nations.
English has the largest world-wide distribution of any language, with large English-speaking populations in over 102 countries.
English is the lingua franca of aviation, diplomacy, international business, science and technology.

Consider the recent mandate for the aviation industry: as of March 5, 2008 pilots and air traffic controllers are required to have an English speaking proficiency at ICAO level 4 (out of 6 levels). Watch the following video presentation of an English language course for pilots:

Academic institutions, immigration agencies, professional organizations and employers routinely test English proficiency of non-native English speakers with different goals in mind. Academic institutions may examine test scores of LEP students to narrow the number of acceptable applicants, in addition to using scores to determine whether or not the applicant can survive the rigors of an academic setting. By test results employers gain insight into how the non-native speaker's use of English will impact his or her work performance.

PROFICIENCY TESTS VS. ACHIEVEMENT TESTS

Proficiency tests differ from achievement tests such as the SAT, GRE, MCAT or LSAT. An achievement test measures what a person knows, how much he knows, and compares him/her with a group that has that same knowledge; a proficiency test measures what a person knows, but with an emphasis on how well s/he will be able to apply that knowledge in the future. Generally, LEP students will take both of these kinds of test during his or her academic career, as the study of English progresses.

Proficiency Test	Achievement Test
Ability to function/ complete tasks using English language	Knowledge of English language (parts of speech, sentence structure, etc.)
Focus on future (what you can do)	Focus on past (what you have learned)
Ranks levels of English competence to complete a task	Ranks students high achievers to low achievers

Institutions that test English proficiency of ESL learners may include:

Aviation Industry
Business
Colleges and Universities
Government Agencies
International Organizations
Primary and Secondary Education (K-12)
Legal Institutions

INDUSTRY ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TESTS/STANDARDS

Aviation Industry	ICAO, TEA, PELA, SOLOM
Business	BEC, BULATS, CEIBT, ICFE, IELTS
Colleges and Universities	CAE, CEELT, CELTA, CELTYL, CPE, CTESOL, ECCE, ECPE, FCE, GRE, IDLTM, ISLPR, LTE, KET, MTELP, PEAT, PET, SOLOM, TKT, TOEFL, TOEIC, TOEIC Bridge
Government Agencies	Certificates in ESOL Skills for Life, IELTS, TOEIC
International Organizations	IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC
Primary & Secondary Schools	ACCESS for ELLS , IGCSE, SAT, SOLOM, YLE
Legal Institutions	CPE, IELTS, ILEC, TOLES, TOEFL

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