Language Centre

English Language Assessment for Secretaries

Content
We are quickly moving towards an International Campus and English is used more and more as a means of communication. Secretaries and other administrative staff also need to use English on a regular basis.
To find out whether your English is good enough to manage in your job situation, we have developed the English Language Assessment for Secretaries. This test is based on internationally recognized testing systems such as Cambridge and IELTS. This way you will get the opportunity to find out about your own level of speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills in English in a brief time-span (one morning and a 25-minute interview).

Target group
The English language assessment test is open to all Tilburg University secretarial staff members.

Procedure
On the dates mentioned below, you will be tested on reading, listening and writing, while the speaking tests will be done by appointment.
You will be tested on the following components:

  1. Reading skills (1 hour):
    you will be presented with several brief texts with a variety of questions and/or assignments.
  2. Listening skills (30 minutes):
    you will listen to several brief fragments on a general academic subject and answer the accompanying questions.
  3. Writing skills (1 hour):
    your command of English will be tested by means of exercises and two brief essays.
  4. Speaking skills (25 minutes) by appointment:
    in a brief interview, your speaking skills and your pronunciation will be tested in various types of conversations (social talk, professional talk, discussion).

Results
The test results provide an indication of your level for each of the four skills tested. Level descriptors range from A1 (beginning language user) to C2 (advanced language user) in conformity with the classification and descriptions of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The certificate will also provide an indication of comparable IELTS scores. You will be given a brief analysis of your problem areas and advice on possibilities for improving your English. The required IELTS score for secretaries is 5.5 à 6.5 (comparable CEF level is B2 - C1) in order to function comfortably in English. Depending on the results of the assessment, you will be given the opportunity to improve your English in consultation with your head of department.

Fees
Test fees are € 175.

Dates

  • Tuesday 5 October 2010, 8:45 - 12:30
  • Tuesday 22 March 2011, 8.45 - 12.30

Speaking part will be done a few days later on appointment.

Registration
Please fill in a Registration Form signed by your Head of Department and send it to the Language Centre (P 3.221).

  • You need to sign up at least 5 days before the test takes place. Exceptions can only be made in urgent cases, in which case we kindly ask you to contact Marloes Broeren.
  • Registration is done on a first come first serve basis.
  • A maximum of 16 people can sit for each test session.

For further information, please contact the secretary's office of the Language Centre, phone 2508 (P3.221), mail languagecentre@uvt.nl, or Riet Bettonviel, MA, phone 3093 (P3.205) mail m.a.bettonviel@uvt.nl, (English teacher at the Language Centre).

Interesting links

Sample test

  • Reading
    You can download a sample reading test here. The answers are included in the file.
  • Listening
    On this website several sample listening tests are listed.
  • Writing
    You can download a sample writing test here. The answers are included in the file.