India gets its own version of TOEFL

India gets its own version of TOEFL


New Delhi: India may soon have its own standardized English language test on the lines of Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS), as the demand for English language skills rises across the country.

An All India English Language Testing Authority for the purpose has been formed by the English and Foreign Language University in Hyderabad. They will be conducting the first standardized test, designed by them, on May 30.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Abhai Maurya said that both TOEFL and IELTS are necessary for students who wish to study abroad in USA and UK respectively, but are not
generally taken by Indians or those who want an English language proficiency test for the Indian market.

"The test designed by our university will be having three levels, one for Class X, one for graduates and another for postgraduates. The students will also be awarded proficiency certificates for scoring well in the test," Maurya said.

He further informed that they had already spoken to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to conduct the English language proficiency test for class X passouts as they would not be having board examinations this year.

Indian students may find the newly designed test quite convenient as it has been priced at Rs. 1500, which is quite less than its foreign counterparts, which may be priced at Rs. 8000 per session.

The skills tested by the English language test include reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Maurya said that the varsity was also in talks with the University of Cambridge as it conducts several assessment tests across the globe.

As the demand for good skills in writing and conversing in English rises in India, the state governments too are doing their part tot promote good English in India. States such as Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab have formed tie-ups with the British council to train English teachers.

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