Every week someone asks me for a test.
They want to know their English level.
Well, I don’t have a test.
I think they’re a bad idea.
But after reading your comments from yesterday’s Vitamin V (thank you!), I now see there are some good reasons for wanting to know your level.
Let’s talk about those first.
Then, later in the week, I’ll share my crazy ideas.
And I’ll tell you how to use those crazy ideas to make faster progress.
Here we go!
Good Reason #1
You need a new job or you want to go to a new school and they require a certain level.
Well, in that case, you gotta know your level and you’ve got to have a piece of paper that proves it.
That’s a good reason to take a level assessment test.
Now here’s the interesting part.
Some students who score high on these tests really can’t speak well.
While some students who score low on these tests can speak quite well.
An HR manager I used to date in Prague knew this. So when she was interviewing a new candidate for a job, she never looked at their level: the real test was, could they speak with her?
Cheers,
Mr. Vig
I’m completely agree. The real level depends on if you can or not speak well.
I also agree
She is a clever person. It’s absolutely the right way to see it.
תודה שכתבתה לי ואתה מעודד אותי אני כותבת ,אך אין לי ביטחון לדבר כש אני קוראת אני מבינה על מה מדובר למרות שאני לא מבינה מילה מסוימת.
In my opinion your level of English depends on yours confidence in speaking and communicating
Agree with you 🙂
Hi, I think that level in test is level in test, there are grammar rules and a little vocabulary, speaking is speaking and writing is writing, These may be sometimes different skills, depth and range of subjects can be different. In our native language we speak at different levels too..
Exactly
But if you are looking for new job, it is written on ad whitch level is required. So maybe this is the reason why it is interesting for me 🙂 Besides when I am doing the test (I can do in every english course Lithuanian site), I feel when is begining more dificult tasks (it means that the quietions of level B started) , then I am not sure for 100 persent about my answers. The firsts quietions are from level A (how I understand) I answer without any doubts. So I think the test result showed the real my english level 🙂
Waiting your ideas:)
I agree with this HR manageri in Prague.
On the other hand, maybe it all depends on the job? Sometimes there is no need to speak, but there is a need to write English well.
You don’t have the most popular verbs in your dictionary, which disappointed me a lot and stopped my desire again.
The idea of this HR manager seems to be better than an exam, but mostly, when you apply for a job, the employer asks you about your level of English language and we have to write it in our CV.
That’s why we would like to know it.
It’s very true, here I have the problem too, in the conversation part. Thank you
I think the most important thing is relaxed communication in English.
Yes you are right. I think that is more important when the others can understand me when i try to explan. And when i don t understan them i ask to repeat slowly. Ahaaha
Language is the leading media to communicate with each other. I live in a place where English (spoken) is not used at all, but where English culture came in a long time ago. I’m a physician, and I had to learn how to read English to progress in my career. I learned that with a dictionary in my hand, reading medical journals and Medicine books. Then, I wanted to understand other people who spoke English and I looked for a way to get that. I enrolled in several online courses and spent money, but the results weren’t what I expected. Now, I can communicate in English by reading or writing (something better than nothing), but my listening level is lackluster, and my speaking level is even worse. I don’t really need to speak English to live, but I would like to do it, at least as a challenge.
In Greece and I suppose in many countries there some tests who reveal your English level and you can use them at proof in your work. For example IELTS
I think it’s true. First is speaking and after speaking is writing, respectively a test which proved the level. When I started to learn English I was focused on writing, grammar and after that I paid attention for listening and speaking. I recognise that I have more troubles with speaking.
Well, personally, I don´t need to show the assessment test to anyone, I don´t need to prove anything to anyone. I want to say, learning English just because I love it, in my own tempo, step by step, it is the most stress-free activity. And a big bonus is daily Vitamin V. It doesn´t let the motivation drop. Thank You very much, Mr.Vig!
That is exactly what you say.
Now I’m retired and even the last ability to speak has disappeard. Also the words…
I like your posts.
Thanks.
I agree with you. I’ve done some level tests so far, and I know my vocabulary and grammar level, but I think the best test of our real level is the situation of spontaneous communication or job interview.
HI ! HR manager reads the CVs of the candidates and based on this, selects
candidates for the job.
It’s my opinion.
Yes, Not the Level, speaking with her is Importen. You Arena so smart, Mr. VIG
Sure that certificate, assessment, or peace of paper as you said not necessarily would correspond to the factual level of English knowledge…but it could be useful/ practical having that relevant written confirmation.
Agree. Do you understand and can others understand you?
My level of English speaking depends on who I’m talking to. It’s best to talk to foreigners without stress because they are often on the same level (they also help each other with their hands :)). It’s easiest with Americans because they are understanding and help by filling in missing words.