Official ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI)
STAMP 4S English (Standards-Based Measurement of Proficiency-4 skills)
Berlitz Telelangue Language Audit
Berlitz GTEC English Language Assessment
Cambridge English Language Assessment
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
Cambridge English: First (FCE)
Cambridge English: Key (KET)
Cambridge English: Preliminary (PET)
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) tests
CaMLA ECCE (The Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English)
CaMLA ECPE (The Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English)
CaMLA EPT (CaMLA English Placement Test)
CaMLA ITASA (International Teaching Assistant Speaking Assessment)
CaMLA MELAB (The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery)
CaMLA MET (The Michigan English Test)
Certificados en Lenguas Extranjeras (CLE). Certificate of proficiency in six foreign languages, English being one of them, issued by the Ministry of Education, City of Buenos Aires (Argentina). Tests the four skills. Targeted at primary and secondary-level students in the City of BA, for whom it is free of charge. See http://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/educacion/idiomas/certificados-en-lenguas-extranjeras
(CAEL) The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment
City & Guilds Entry Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (reading, writing and listening) (Preliminary A1)
City & Guilds Entry Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (speaking) (Preliminary A1)
City & Guilds Entry Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (reading, writing and listening) (Access A2)
City & Guilds Entry Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (speaking) (Access A2)
City & Guilds Entry Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (reading, writing and listening) (Achiever B1)
City & Guilds Entry Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (speaking) (Achiever B1)
City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (reading, writing and listening) (Communicator B2)
Duolingo Certificate in English - Online in the Duolingo Test Center
ECL - European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages
EF Standard English Test
Former ELPT - English Language Proficiency Test
GTEC - Global Test of English Communication
G-TELP - General Tests of English Language Proficiency Test
IELTS - International English Language Testing System
IELCA - International English Language Competency Assessment (www.lrnglobal.org)
iTEP - International Test of English Proficiency
MHLE - Iran Ministry of Health Language Exam
MSRT - Iran Ministry of Science, Research and Technology language exam (Also known as MCHE)
MUET
EXAMAGRAM - Free On-line English testing
PAPORA - On-line Accreditation of A1/A2 English Proficency
PTE Academic - On-line testing
PTE General - A series of six exams from Pearson Language Assessments (formerly known as the London Tests of English)
STEP EIKEN - Test in Practical English Proficiency (Japan)
TEPS - Test of English Proficiency (South Korea)
TELC - The European Language Certificates
TIEC - Test of International English Competency
TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEIC - Test of English for International Communication
TOLIMO - The Test of Language by the Iranian Measurement Organization
TrackTest English Proficiency Test - Online English Assessment Center using six CEFR levels.
TSE - Test of Spoken English
Trinity College London ESOL
TWE - Test of Written English
UBELT - University of Bath English Language Test
English is a fun language to learn (here are 9 reasons why it rocks), and even though it’s considered an accessible and relatively easy one to learn, with 750,000 words and spelling that can throw off even the most skilled learner, learning English fast can seem impossible. But I’m here to tell you that it isn’t – as long as you have the right strategy.
Take these 10 tips on how to learn English faster as your starting point and you’ll master this wonderful language in no time!
1. READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON
Classic literature, paperbacks, newspapers, websites, emails, your social media feed, cereal boxes: if it’s in English, read it. Why? Well, this content will be full of juicy new vocabulary, as well as a fair amount you already know. This helps you improve quickly, as re-exposure to learned vocabulary gives you new examples in context, therefore reinforcing those words in your mind. On the other hand, learning new words and expressions is essential to building your vocabulary arsenal, particularly in a language like English with so many words! However, don’t just read and move on – next, you’ve got to…
2. ACTIVELY TAKE NOTE OF NEW VOCABULARY
This tip is a classic one for good reason: it works! When learning, we often enjoy a new word of phrase so much that forgetting it seems impossible. But trust us, not everything sticks the first time. To fight this, get into the habit of carrying around a funky notebook or using a tool like Evernote. Whenever you hear or read a new word or expression, write it down in context: that is, in a sentence and with its meaning noted. This saves you time as you won’t return to that word and ask yourself: “What did that word/expression mean again?”
3. TALK WITH REAL LIVE HUMANS
What is a language for if not to communicate? Sure, we humans have become experts at communicating without opening our mouths – thanks Whatsapp! – but when push comes to shove, it’s true that speaking a language helps it stick in your head far better than only reading or writing it. Just think of how many times you’ve heard people say that they “understand, but can’t speak English.” A lot of would-be English speakers have turned talking into a huge insurmountable barrier that only serves to psyche them out. Don’t be like that. Seek out native speakers for an informal language exchange, enroll in a course, or take classes online.
4. SUBSCRIBE TO PODCASTS OR YOUTUBE CHANNELS (IN ENGLISH)
Like humor? Politics? Blogging? Cooking? With topics covering every interest imaginable, there’s an English-speaking podcast or Youtube channel out there for you. Subscribe to a few and listen while driving or watch during the commute to school or work. At first, you might find the native accents difficult, but stick with it and you’ll soon start to understand what you hear (as well as learning lots of new vocab from a native speaker!)
5. GO ABROAD
If there’s a better way to learn English than being immersed in it while living and studying in an English-speaking country, we’d love to know! It’s no secret that English is the most widely-spoken language in the world, and with a long list of countries to choose between, you can select your ideal learning environment based on hemisphere, weather, or favorite city. ThinkAustralia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Canada, and South Africa to name a few!
6. USE YOUR FRIENDS
Have friends who post online in English? Don’t gloss over them in your newsfeed: scan the items they share and commit to exploring one or two each day. They might be news or magazine articles, videos, talks, blog posts, songs, or anything else: if it’s in English and the topic interests you, it’s going to be helpful!
7. ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it also propelled the language learner to fluency! As you learn English, you’ll soon collect a mountain of questions. Don’t sit on your doubts – be curious and resolve them! If you’re enrolled in a course, ask your teacher (it’s what they’re there for, after all). But if you’re learning alone, don’t worry: find answers in blogs or language websites, ask other learners, or read through forums. You’ll be happy you did!
8. TAKE A LEAD FROM THE STARS
Mix up your learning by picking a native English-speaking actor or singer you like. Now, head online, find a bunch of interviews they’ve given – and watch them! Watch once for gist, then again, taking time to note down interesting expressions and words you hear. The slang, stories, humor, and anecdotes that come out of these interview are sure to give you plenty to work with!
9. START WITH WHAT YOU REALLY NEED
Your English studies are likely to go far more quickly if you constantly remind yourself of your motives for learning. Are you going on a study exchange? Then, focus on vocabulary related to your studies. Have an overseas conference? Brush up on conversation starters to use with the other participants. Going on a gap year? Looks like travel and tourism vocabulary will be your guide. If you simply launch into learning English hoping to magically learn anything and everything at once, you’re likely to end up confused and burned out. Which brings us to…
10. DON’T KICK YOURSELF WHILE YOU’RE DOWN
When you start to feel like you’re not making ground – which happens to all learners at some point – don’t say, “I don’t speak English,” or “I’ll never get this.” In fact, ban those phrases from your vocabulary! They only blur your understanding of the progress you’re making and convince you that your dreams of speaking English well are impossible. Instead, say “I’m learning English and making improvements everyday,” “It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it,” “I’m so much better that I was six months ago,” and other phrases to remind yourself of the big picture.
This is a non-exhaustive (growing) list of standardized tests that assess someone's language proficiency of a foreign/secondary language. Various types of such exams exist per many languages—some are organized at an international level even through national authoritarian organizations, while others simply for specific limited business or study orientation.