Barry K Allen, cap del Departament de Llengües estrangeres/ Head of Foreign Languages
Si voleu llegir el text en català, feu clic aquí.
Language is the key to communication and that means working on the basic skills (grammar & vocabulary, listening, reading, speaking & writing) as well as developing cultural awareness, empathy, mutual respect, teamwork, etc… Taking all these aspects on board is essential to becoming a proficient and successful language learner and communicator. The beauty of language learning doesn’t stop there though, as it also has many additional benefits. It helps broaden your mind, career growth, the health and functioning of your brain, mediation skills, multitasking and of course, you can understand songs and read or watch series in the original version!
When we talk about learning other languages we normally refer to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) which provides an assessment grid of what a language learner should be able to do from A1 through to C2 levels in terms of Speaking, Understanding and Writing: CEFR table
At IPSI, we carefully structure learning to help students work their way up the levels in all the different areas and skills. Obviously, there is much more to studying another language than getting a certificate, as we have seen above, but getting official recognition of your English level can, for example, motivate you to do better, open the way to the Erasmus programme at university and set you apart from other candidates on your curriculum vitae (CV).
The market for providing official recognition for a learner’s level of English has opened up in recent years and different Universities now offer official certification courses and tests. For many years, Cambridge University has offered a range of exams including the most well known one: The First, which corresponds to B2, you can then go onto Advanced (C1) and Proficiency (C2) levels. You also have the TOEFL and IELTS exams used for migration and accessing higher education and there are also other, more specific level tests, connected to areas of work.
One of the newest official tests students can access is the Oxford Test of English (OTE). Click the following link to go the website OTE where you can see how the test is recognised around the world with same day results for Reading & Listening sections and Speaking & Writing results available within 5 days. IPSI has been an accredited centre of the OTE since its inauguration in 2017. We have gone through training as well as official inspections to be able to run the OTE in the computer room in Borrell 2.
The OTE is entirely online and is a smart test, meaning the test reacts depending on the answer being correct or incorrect and then modifies itself, getting easier or more difficult. This means a test taker can reach different levels in the different parts (Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing). You get points for each part and then the average determines your overall level. To get an accredited B2 level overall, you need an average over the four parts of 111 points or more. Below, you can see an example of test results:
Up until now, there has only been one test available which can verify levels from A2 up to B2. However, from May 2024, Oxford are introducing another test, the Oxford Test of English Advanced which can verify levels from B2 up to C1 and which works in the same way as the A2-B2 test.
This year, we are offering students at IPSI the chance to take the A2-B2 test in ESO 4 and Batxillerat towards the end of May. Additionally, we will introduce the new B2-C1 test for students in 2n Batxillerat and ex-alumni too, with the test taking place around mid-June, after the PAU.
Whilst the exam is testing general English levels it does require practise, especially in the Speaking and Writing sections. As mentioned, the test is all online, including the Speaking! It is really important that the test taker is aware of how to do the exam, to be familiarised with the way questions are asked and how they should be answered. Because of this, IPSI offers students the chance to take preparatory classes to enable them to practise and receive direct feedback on their Speaking and Writing skills thinking about the format of the test. *If the classes aren’t taken, it is imperative that the student checks the format of the test carefully and practises at home.
We will be explaining the difference between the Cambridge and Oxford exams and the different possible levels to students in ESO 4 and Batxillerat. Families in ESO4 and Batxillerat will receive an email with further details and the links to sign up to the exam and preparatory classes.
Happy language learning!
Student testimonials who have taken the OTE at IPSI
Alba Claramunt BTX 2B: Well, I thought the preparation was really good, touching on different themes and how to do the exam. It helped me feel more secure. As the test is on the computer, it was very different, a bit stressful but I guess that’s like any exam. It was quite straightforward to do though and I was really happy to get an official B2 certificate!
Daniela Sendrós BTX 2B: I like that the test is virtual and the oral was directly with the computer although I did feel a bit nervous, but it was OK in the end. Doing the preparatory classes was really useful. I’m happy with the results and now I might do the B2-C1 exam.Aleix Torres BTX 2B: It’s a good exam. I actually prefer to do it online and at school as I get nervous in one-to-one situations so it was better for me. I was able to retake the Listening and Reading parts to get my average over 111 and get the B2 certificate.
At IPSI, we carefully structure learning to help students work their way up the levels in all the different areas and skills
Deixa un comentari