In an era where English language skills are essential for global business, Nisreen Ash from Cambridge University Press & Assessment reflects on new research which shows the positive impact of the online English test Linguaskill

Developing business English skills in a global job market helps with employability, and the way you learn and prepare can have an impact on confidence and proficiency, according to recent global research. I am part of a team in Cambridge that investigates the impact of learning and assessment. We recently carried out some research into employability and wanted to share the results.

The challenge of upskilling English language skills can be a daunting landscape to navigate

Linguaskill is a quick online English test developed by our experts in Cambridge. Our recent study of 684 responses from 59 countries, people who had taken Linguaskill at least one month before, showed some exciting results.

Research shows Linguaskill has a positive impact

We found out that Linguaskill has a positive impact on employability skills with 72% saying that taking the test had helped them progress in their careers.

The research also showed that 80% of candidates found that preparing for Linguaskill had made them feel confident about using English at work.

And in terms of proficiency of the language, 64% of candidates told us that preparing for Linguaskill had improved their English.

Cutting-edge technology delivers accurate results and enhances user experience

Linguaskill uses the latest AI technology and adaptive algorithms to give a really accurate measure of English language ability quickly and economically. 

The Linguaskill test has been taken more than a million times

When candidates take Linguaskill, the first question is at an intermediate level, and their response will determine whether the next question will be more or less challenging, and this continues depending on candidate’s subsequent answers. Linguaskill is designed to keep selecting questions based on the individual’s proficiency level, until the test precisely measures the candidate’s level of proficiency.

The Linguaskill test has been taken more than a million times since it was launched in 2018 and is now trusted by organisations from over 60 countries around the world – including big names such as Air France, KPMG and Lavazza.

How L&D can benefit from Linguaskill

One of the ways organisations use Linguaskill is to assess the English levels of employees when identifying training needs. This will strike a chord with many L&D professionals, who will know how essential it is for employees in global organisations to be able to communicate well in English, yet the challenge of upskilling English language expertise can be a daunting landscape to navigate.

Upskilling staff in English

Before booking any training, it’s best to have an understanding of the level of English required for a particular job. Different roles will require unique sets of English language skills. At Cambridge, we have developed the free workplace English tool to support organisations with this challenge.

The tool has been designed to help HR professionals and hiring managers determine the level of English required for a particular job in their organisation. It’s really simple to use, and after answering a short series of questions about the role itself, managers will be presented with a detailed report showing the level of English required for that particular role. This will be broken down into the key language skills, of writing, speaking, reading and listening.

Linguaskill is the next step

Once managers have identified the level of English required then a Linguaskill test is the easy next step to determine if people have the appropriate skills for the role. Any skills gaps identified can then have interventions planned. Once the upskilling is complete then Linguaskill is a great way to test for effectiveness and any further skills gaps, perhaps for their next role!

Getting the job done

The tests are quick and convenient. Both the organisations and employers that took part in our research commented on how practical and easy to use it was. One organisation who took part praised the ‘accuracy and flexibility’ of the test which was fantastic to hear.

Some of the flexible features of Linguaskill include:

• The test is online and can be taken from home
  
• The test can be easily administered to staff anywhere in the world
  
• It takes less than a minute to set up a Linguaskill test
  
• Results are available within 48 hours

There is also a whole range of support materials available, including online sample tests, preparation videos, resources, handbooks and top tips for taking the test. Find out more information about the support that’s available.

Linguaskill adheres to international standards

Being able to understand what different levels of English can achieve at work and being able to make comparisons between roles in other companies, for example, would be very challenging without some international standards to align to.

Results for Linguaskill are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which is the international standard for describing language ability. It assesses English from below A1 which is the beginner level, to C1 or above, the more advanced levels of language ability.

To find out more about the CEFR and how you can get the best out of it for your organisation, you can sign up for a free guide to using the CEFR.

Emotional decisions

When people choose any English language test or educational solution, it’s quite an emotional and financial investment and they definitely want to know whether the test is right for them.

Reading more about our research can help, as can knowing more about how other organisations are using Linguaskill as part of their staff training toolkits; expanding client base, enhancing student employability, placement tests, skill improvement and more!

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