English Exams Taken By Chinese Students

Many Chinese students will be studying English in preparation for exams. It is important to keep in mind when teaching in China that these exams are very important for your student’s future prospects. Therefore, it is critical that teaching is geared not only to giving the student a working proficiency in English, but also placing him or her in a position to do well on the upcoming exam. Some of the more common English exams taken by those you may be teaching in China include:

 TOEFL. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is used to assess a student’s capability of using and understanding spoken and written English in a classroom setting. This test is often taken by those who desire to study abroad and measures speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. Most American and some Australian universities require foreign students to have acceptable TOEFL scores for admittance.

 IELTS. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is used by universities throughout the United Kingdom, the British Commonwealth and some European countries to ascertain a student’s ability to speak English. In many respects, it is similar to the TOEFL, though it is based on International English (UK English as opposed to US English). Many American universities do recognize IELTS scores for admittance of foreign students, however. In addition to English speaking countries, some German, Italian, and other European universities require Master’s level students to have a sufficiently high IELTS score. Another version of the IELTS is administered to those hoping to move abroad to work in English-speaking countries.

 TOEIC. The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) is generally used by employers seeking to hire foreign employees. Chinese citizens seeking employment abroad or with an international firm may be required to pass the TOEIC.

 TSE. The Test of Spoken English is often administered to professionals who seek employment in English speaking countries. It is often given to those professionals who must communicate with students or clients. Teachers, teachers’ assistants, and medical professionals are among those who might be required to take the TSE.

 Gaokao. While not strictly an English exam, these exams are taken yearly by Chinese students and have a significant impact on which schools they can attend. In addition to English, the tests contain significant amounts of Chinese and Mathematics.

 BETS. The Beijing English Testing System (BETS) was designed with the intention of improving English proficiency amongst Beijing residents prior to the 2008 Olympic Games. The BETS tests are designed to test the student’s understanding of spoken English, as well as the ability to speak, read, and write the language. Those who successfully finish the examination receive two certificates which can open doors for employment or be used as proof of the student’s ability to speak English for the purpose of studying abroad. The test is given to residents of Beijing.