Moving abroad usually takes a lot of challenging steps, like learning another language. Expats who are interested in studying or working abroad might have companies and institutions requiring a language proficiency test if they aren't native speakers of the new country's language.
The languages test formats and rules vary from idioms and countries, having different prices and minimum grades in order to be approved. Taking the English Language as an example, there are some most known tests: TOEFL for American English (US), IELTS (most widely recognized English proficiency test in the world), Cambridge exam (UK), and for specific cases, The Pearson Test.
Choosing the right language test is not just about picking the easiest or the one you think is the best. Expats should be aware of the native language of the country they want to go to, what the companies accept, depending on the field, and the same for universities. Expatriates can lose opportunities if they don't take the time to research language requirements that can be diverse. On the other hand, by being aware of the language test criteria, expats can be ahead of competitors and even have more benefits as generous scholarships are given for the ones with the best grades.
English proficiency tests
- IELTS
IELTS is the most widely recognized English proficiency test in the world. It is applied and accepted in 140 countries. Although it is considered the most difficult one for the English language, an expat with this test wouldn't have to bother about which country accepts it or not since the US also validates it. Unlike usual tests, the International English Language Testing System is graded into levels, but there is no pass or fail. Test-takers receive a score of 1 to 9. One of the considered most difficult parts of the test is that, for the listening section, test-takers are required to understand a range of English accents as British, Australian, New Zealander, American and others.
- TOEFL
The Test of English as a Foreign Language is graded on a sliding scale. It's about an hour longer than the IELTS; it takes 4 hours. The TOEFL tests test-takers ability to understand English spoken with an American accent. The test differentiates from IELTS as it can be computer-based, which can be very tiring as you concentrate, listen, think, and type for hours on end. Another point to consider is that you might be doing your listening session in a classroom with other people, who perhaps will be doing their speaking.
- Cambridge test (CAE)
Although the Cambridge English exam is from the UK, it is recognized by over 25,000 universities, employers and governments around the world. The exam also comprises four papers: Speaking, Listening, Reading & Use of English and Writing. Time pressure is the main reason why people fail the CAE exam. They do not complete all the tasks, or they get stuck for too long on one exercise.
Things to consider before taking your language test
Expats interested in moving to another country whose native language isn't theirs should be considering the language test as a significant part of the moving abroad checklist. When studying a foreign language, it is already necessary to know which test you are going to do. Therefore there is a stronger possibility of being approved as you will get familiar with the test format and subjects. Whether you are taking a language test prep-course or not, there are some things to consider:
- Where will you go?
All language tests have different levels, formats, applications and requirements. So, it is crucial that expats have in mind from the beginning of their studies which country, university, and company they are interested in to choose which language test to take. For example, the most accepted language test in Spain is DELE; in France, it is DELF, and in Italy, CILS. If an expat doesn't know yet where to go yet, then it is better to consider studying one of the global languages and the most accepted language test in the world for that idiom.
- What are admissions offices looking for?
It is also important to wonder what makes a good test for admissions (university, scholarships and state jobs). World-leading criteria and experts in English language assessment have a unique insight into the key criteria behind successful assessments, admissions, engagement and retention. Their checklist might consider, for example: Do we accept the test? What is the expat's grade? When was the test taken (is it not overdue)? Does this test evaluate the right skills for the academic study?
- Get to know the calendar and the deadline for the results
Expats also need to know how the foreign language test is conducted, the locations to schedule the most convenient one, and when they can be taken as all the language exams have a specific and unchangeable calendar. It is also indispensable to know how long it takes to publish the results; for example, DELE, the one for Spanish, takes three months. So, if your application depends on a language proficiency test result, you should study all of its characteristics on their website.
