Companies can no longer be sure that a University Graduate can speak English well.
In Japan, France and elsewhere they use English tests as a standard method of making sure non-English speakers meet minimum standards and are evaluated professionally.

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is a recognised standard. Using this means you can be flexible and accept official scores from several different tests, and interpret them against this common standard.

A quick guide to using English tests.

1. 1.Set a minimum standard.
   We recommend the CEFR “C1” for professionals.
   

2. 2.Learn what an official result looks like, for the tests you’ll accept.
   

3. 3.Insist all non-English applicants submit a recent, recognised test result.
   

4. 4.Tell them to take a test if they need to, or send them for testing.
   A 4 year old result is no-longer valid.
   

What does C1 “Advanced” mean?

The C1 is “Advanced” or “Proficient”. A staff member or applicant who scores C1 can:

1. ★understand a wide range of demanding, longer clauses, and recognise implicit meaning.
   

2. ★express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
   

3. ★use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
   

4. ★produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects - showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
   

You’ll want your professionals to be competent in Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing - but we recommend that for employment you focus on Speaking & Writing, as your partners and customers will experience this frequently. The interview will also give you some indicator of their Speaking ability.

It’s also better that they have a general or workplace English test, but if they have a recent academic English result that can work fine. The standard expiry of English results is 2 years.

Test scores showing C1 Proficient / Advanced English skills

1. •7.0 IELTS
   

2. •95  TOEFL IBT (minimum 24 in writing)
   

3. •76  Pearson
   

4. •360 TOEIC Speaking & Writing
   

Take a TOEIC Test

The TOEIC Speaking and Writing test is available in Australia and New Zealand, in secure centres or at your site. The tests are scored centrally by multiple human scorers on each question.

Users of the test can read the Score User Guide to learn more about the administration, results, studies, usage guidelines and more.

Note: Listening & Reading tests are also available, with immediate and inexpensive scoring.