English language exams?

[Frank]

Hi, can anybody please give me an overview of the different English language exams available? I mean, there are the Cambridge exams, LCCI, Oxford university, English Language Proficiency Exam, TOEIC, TOEFL and so on. Which I exam is best? Thanks.

[Torsten]

Hi Frank,

Let's take this one at a time. You have probably heard about the Cambridge English Language Exams, also known as ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages exams. As the name suggests those certificates are administered by the University of Cambridge, one of the most widely recognized organization of this kind.
The flagship of the Cambridge exam suite is FCE - First Certificate in English. Here are all five Cambridge Certificates in General English:

KET - Key English Test
PET - Preliminary English Test
FCE - First Certificate in English
CAE - Certificate in Advanced English
CPE - Certificate of Proficiency in English

In addition there are Cambridge Business English Certificates, exams for academic purposes and English language teacher exams.

Another British institution running English language exams is LCCI - London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They too, offer a variety of certificates for various purposes.

The most popular English language exam worldwide is the TOEIC test with around 3 million candidates per year. For more information on the TOEIC you can check our TOEIC-website:

www.sprachzertifikate.de/?sprache=en
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[FrankU]

A friend of mine told me that there is a European standard of languages? What exactly is that? Which exam do you recommend if I want to find a new job?

[Torsten]

Hi FrankU,

Your friend was probably referring to the new standard the Common European Framework for modern languages that the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) is trying to implement in European countries. It's a rather complicated system of various language proficiency levels ranging from A1 up to C2. Each level is assigned another level - a so called ALTE level. For example, A1 is also called ALTE Breakthrough or C1 is also called ALTE Level 4 Lower advanced level.
It takes a lot of time and effort to study and understand this complex mesh and it has something of an old hierarchical network. You should bear in mind that English language exams represent a huge industry with lots of organizations and companies trying to get their share of the cake.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Andreana]

Which more popular, the TOEFL or the Cambridge exams?

[Torsten]

Hi Andreana,

TOEFL is administered by ETS - Educational Testing Service, an US based organisation. It stands for Test Of English as a Foreign Language and it measures your academic English language proficiency. If you want to study at a US or Canadian university or college you should have taken the TOEFL test. About 800.000 people take the TOEFL every year. You can take test in lots of different countries or online.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[FrankU]

So which exam or certificate is better for professional purposes?

[Torsten]

Hi FrankU,

You want to know which English language is best - I think this depends on a number of factors:

- How familiar is your new employer with English language certificates and exams?
- What exactly does your new job involve?
- How fast do you need your certificate?

In addition there might be a number of other aspects to consider such as how much time and money do you want to invest.
Also, it's probably a good idea to select a certificate that has gained a high level of recognition and popularity. When you check the numbers you will find the TOEIC is taken by more than 3 million people every year. I think this is more than the Cambridge and LCCI exam takers together.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[FrankU]

How do you prepare for the toeic?

[Torsten]

Hi FrankU,

You might want to take a look at this:

www.sprachzertifikate.de/?id=21&gruppe=4&rid=25&sprache=en
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[FrankU]

Thanks, what else can I do to pass the TOEIC, how difficult is it?

[Torsten]

Hi FrankU,

Anybody will pass the TOEIC - you cannot fail it. The more often you practise your English the higher will be your TOEIC score. Improve your listening comprehension by watching CNN or SkyNews or listinging to the BBC every day. In addition you should read business related articles on a regular basis.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[FrankU]

On ebay I saw some TOEIC test preparation books - which of them can you recommend?

[Torsten]

Hi FrankU,

If you want to take the TOEIC then it's probably a good idea to get hold of one or two TOEIC prep guides. They contain original test questions with descriptions and explanations.
However, these guides cannot replace your personal language training, they just enable you to get familiar with test format.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[FrankU]

What about Cracking the TOEIC? Is it any good?