KOCHI: The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) exam is currently one of the best yardsticks for spoken English skills. Trinity College, London, has been conducting music exams for the last 100 odd years, and the ESOL exams for more than 50 years but it is only in the recent past that Indians have started taking the test. The city currently has only one centre for students wishing to take the test - the Academy For Communicative Arts, Kaloor. Stephen John Tauroza from Trinity College, London, was here as examiner for the test conducted on Wednesday.
The ESOL is conducted at 12 progressive levels - from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
Anybody from age 7 to age 70 can take the test, says A P Latha of Orient Blackswan, national managers of Trinity College.
The test is usually taken by those wishing to go abroad for higher studies as the ESOL certificate is valid all over the world. In fact, a good ESOL score is a trump card for any job which requires good communication skills in India as well as abroad. Reputed multinational companies demand a good ESOL score nowadays, says Latha. High ranking officials at managerial levels too take the test to get an edge. The fees start at Rs 1,800 for Grade 1. For the lower grades - from 1 to 3 - the basic conversational skills of the candidate are tested.
The candidates themselves can choose the topic of the conversation. The examiner will then ask questions, at times unrelated ones to make sure that the candidate has not just memorised an article.
An interesting aspect of the exam is that the examiner uses toy cars, different coloured pens etc. to make the candidates talk.
As the level goes up, the grading gets tougher. Candidates are no longer allowed to choose the topic and have to give independent presentations. The complexities of the language, the ability to debate and contradict are also tested. Besides speaking skills, the listening and understanding skills, grammar, vocabulary and presentation are all evaluated. A grade 12 or the C-2 level means that the candidate’s spoken English skills are on par with a native English speaker. An advantage of the ESOL over similar tests like the IELTS is that the score is permanent - candidates don’t need to take the test every two years.
To take the test, interested candidates should apply in September. A prescreening test is recommended for candidates to get an idea of their level and which grade they should take. The Academy for Communicative Arts, which is run by Sofy Abraham, conducts coaching classes for interested candidates. Marie Antony, an experienced teacher, conducts the classes.
Interested candidates can contact Sofy Abraham at 9446528340.
ashaprakash@epmltd.com