Hyderabad, December 19: The first test will be conducted next March. Here comes our own TOEFL. Those interested in examining their proficiency in English can sit for a test, the first of its kind introduced by an Indian institution.
The English and Foreign Languages University (EFL-U), Hyderabad, a Central university, has set up AIELTA, All India English Language Testing Authority, to hold a test to certify candidates’ proficiency in English.
The test is not based on any prescribed syllabus and the first test will be conducted next March. The certification by EFL-U holds credibility as it is the only university in India dedicated to languages and runs around a dozen foreign language courses.
The announcement of the test was made by EFL-U Vice-Chancellor Prof Abhai Maurya, who was in the city to release books of the Regional Institute of English (RIE), Sector 32.
“One may have knowledge of English but without proficiency cannot compete in the market. Our test judges an individual on his/her proficiency in communicating,” he said.
Prof Maurya said they devised the test considering common individuals in mind but are already getting offers by companies to judge their candidates applying for jobs for proficiency in English.
“They might take our certification as the final word and make it a mandatory requirement for all those applying to them,” he added.
Developed by faculty members, the AIELTA test will determine how an individual uses English for communication and assess a candidate’s proficiency in reading, writing, listening, grammar and vocabulary.
Any individual above 16 years can take the two-and-a-half hours test. Various grades after the exam and for excellent performance an O would be given followed by A -very good, B-Good, C-satisfactory and D- Not Satisfactory.
-Agencies