Flipchart Number 2 June 2016 | Page 18

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..