In association with Orient Longman, Trinity College, London, has been conducting examinations to assess English-speaking skills among students of Indian schools for many decades. These examinations are aimed at testing proficiency levels under the "English for Speakers of Other Languages"(ESOL) programme. From Std. I to plus II, Trinity conducts "Graded Examinations in Spoken English."
Enhancing experience
The special feature of these examinations is that the college sends its examiners from England to conduct the tests at the respective schools. A qualified native English speaker flies down to give a test to local students. Such an experience enhances the confidence of the students who feel self-assured wherever they go.
Clinton Rae, director of language examinations, Trinity College London, says that their examiners personally visit `your colleges' to make the examinations a lively affair. Trinity believes in conducting "live examinations" with the help of examiners who come down from London.
During a recent visit to India, Mr. Rae made a presentation to principals of several local schools. Some of them pointed out that the examination fee, which worked out to nearly Rs. 5,000 per student, could be a discouraging factor for the students and their parents. Mr. Rae maintained that the fee has been fixed as per the logistics involved and the fact that Trinity sends its examiners from London is by itself a costly affair. "Over a century ago, Trinity College London sent its first group of examiners to assess skills of music-learners in India. Imagine how they would have come to India? Naturally, they took a sea route," he pointed out.
Mr. Rae says that Trinity's reputation in conducting skill assessment tests has a long history and it focuses on giving a direction to learners. A certificate from Trinity would help one establish his proficiency level anywhere in the world.
The Trinity examiners are affable, pleasing and easy-going. They are trained to greet the examinees with a smile and make them feel free to communicate. While treating the beginners, the examiners engage them in a free-flowing conversation to bring out the best of their language skills.
A recording of an examination in spoken English skills attempted by an Italian schoolgirl was screened for the local principals. Though the girl had an Italian accent while speaking English, she was able to make sense.
Her grammar was not perfect but she could reply to all the questions posed by the examiner. When asked to spell out her favourite topic for a lively discussion, she said that it was a friend of hers.
The examiner spoke to her about her likes and dislikes and the girl was seen participating in the discussion without much inhibition.
The student's questioning ability was also put to test.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Monday, July 17, 2006
Mind your language, The Hindu, Hyderabad 9Jul06
Clinton Rae from Trinity College London feels that English should be taught from a young age
"The beauty of the English language is its adaptability," feels Clinton Rae, director of language examinations, Trinity College, London, while talking to the media about the recent trends in testing of English language skill and benefits of international language certification for Indian students. And to think, how true is this statement. Every country, including ours, has moulded that language the way it wants.
"Language should be taught well from a very young age. That's the reason we aim our courses at school children irrespective of which school or place they belong to," emphasis Rae who was in town to promote ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) examinations conducted by Trinity College since 2004. "Here you have this concept of `by hearting' lessons. This habit doesn't exist in the UK. Language is about ability and not about mere knowledge," he adds.
How different does he find the Indian English compared to the one spoken in the UK? "I don't think there's much gap."
Joe Tun Sein, consultant, examinations division, Orient Longman, which is the National Manager for ESOL, explains, "The quality of English has gone down considerably in India, both spoken as well as written. May be because regionalism and regional languages are strong here."
Shallow learning
But with the advent of the BPO and ITES culture, English language has taken a different meaning altogether. Three months to six months of training and the employees are expected to perfect the language irrespective of which background they come from. And Clinton is not very appreciative of this trend. "This is a very shallow way of learning. It doesn't allow one to delve into the details. To speak a language the right way, one needs to understand and know its grammar. It doesn't matter which accent you speak in, if you can't speak it correctly," he points out.
He feels that unlike many countries, India has a lot of advantages when it comes to English. "The language is quite widely used in the country and is part of the syllabus of most schools. We just need to take it from there and make it better," says Clinton, who is on his second visit to India.
MANGALA RAMAMOORTHY
"The beauty of the English language is its adaptability," feels Clinton Rae, director of language examinations, Trinity College, London, while talking to the media about the recent trends in testing of English language skill and benefits of international language certification for Indian students. And to think, how true is this statement. Every country, including ours, has moulded that language the way it wants.
"Language should be taught well from a very young age. That's the reason we aim our courses at school children irrespective of which school or place they belong to," emphasis Rae who was in town to promote ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) examinations conducted by Trinity College since 2004. "Here you have this concept of `by hearting' lessons. This habit doesn't exist in the UK. Language is about ability and not about mere knowledge," he adds.
How different does he find the Indian English compared to the one spoken in the UK? "I don't think there's much gap."
Joe Tun Sein, consultant, examinations division, Orient Longman, which is the National Manager for ESOL, explains, "The quality of English has gone down considerably in India, both spoken as well as written. May be because regionalism and regional languages are strong here."
Shallow learning
But with the advent of the BPO and ITES culture, English language has taken a different meaning altogether. Three months to six months of training and the employees are expected to perfect the language irrespective of which background they come from. And Clinton is not very appreciative of this trend. "This is a very shallow way of learning. It doesn't allow one to delve into the details. To speak a language the right way, one needs to understand and know its grammar. It doesn't matter which accent you speak in, if you can't speak it correctly," he points out.
He feels that unlike many countries, India has a lot of advantages when it comes to English. "The language is quite widely used in the country and is part of the syllabus of most schools. We just need to take it from there and make it better," says Clinton, who is on his second visit to India.
MANGALA RAMAMOORTHY
Registration on for Trinity exams in English, The Hindu, Chennai 8-Jul-06
Objective of exams is to upgrade language skills of students
CHENNAI: Although the Trinity Examinations in English have been offered in India for only two years now, parents from small towns and semi-urban areas are showing great interest in it.
This is connected to the IT boom and the requirement for people with good communication skills, said Joe Tun Sein of Orient Longman Private Ltd., national manager for Trinity College, London, in India.
He says there is an increasing awareness about the importance of English proficiency for employability.
Clinton Rae, director of Languages Examinations, Trinity College, London, was in the city to talk to teachers about the Integrated Skills in English Examinations (ISE), a four-skill examination, and the Graded Examination in Spoken English (GESE).
Eligibility
The examinations are open to anyone seven years and above, and can be taken in about 40 centres across the country.
Mr. Rae said the objective of these exams is to upgrade the English speaking skills and standards of the language in schools. But, the examinations were also gradually being accepted as a test of proficiency in the language in universities in Europe, Central and Southern America, and China.
They examine half-a-million people every year. A UK-based examiner conducts each exam.
In India, the exams are conducted three times a year in February, September and November. Unlike IELTS and TOEFL, which are scores that need constant updating, the Trinity Exam results are not time-bound.
Orient Longman is concentrating on schools as, in India, the language isn't really taught in colleges.
Registration is currently open in Chennai for the examinations. The last date for the receipt of applications is September 10 for the GESE exam, which can be taken from November 8 to 11, and the ISE exam on October 18.
For more details, call Orient Longman Pvt. Ltd. at 044 - 28523346.
CHENNAI: Although the Trinity Examinations in English have been offered in India for only two years now, parents from small towns and semi-urban areas are showing great interest in it.
This is connected to the IT boom and the requirement for people with good communication skills, said Joe Tun Sein of Orient Longman Private Ltd., national manager for Trinity College, London, in India.
He says there is an increasing awareness about the importance of English proficiency for employability.
Clinton Rae, director of Languages Examinations, Trinity College, London, was in the city to talk to teachers about the Integrated Skills in English Examinations (ISE), a four-skill examination, and the Graded Examination in Spoken English (GESE).
Eligibility
The examinations are open to anyone seven years and above, and can be taken in about 40 centres across the country.
Mr. Rae said the objective of these exams is to upgrade the English speaking skills and standards of the language in schools. But, the examinations were also gradually being accepted as a test of proficiency in the language in universities in Europe, Central and Southern America, and China.
They examine half-a-million people every year. A UK-based examiner conducts each exam.
In India, the exams are conducted three times a year in February, September and November. Unlike IELTS and TOEFL, which are scores that need constant updating, the Trinity Exam results are not time-bound.
Orient Longman is concentrating on schools as, in India, the language isn't really taught in colleges.
Registration is currently open in Chennai for the examinations. The last date for the receipt of applications is September 10 for the GESE exam, which can be taken from November 8 to 11, and the ISE exam on October 18.
For more details, call Orient Longman Pvt. Ltd. at 044 - 28523346.
Trinity Exams to Improve English Proficiency, Indiavarta, Chennai 8-Jul-06
Trinity Exams to improve English proficiency
Saturday July 8 2006 11:27 IST
CHENNAI: It has been only two years since the Trinity examinations in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) were brought to India through Orient Longman.
And last year, 3,000 students wrote the exam and this year we expect an increase of at least 8 times, said Clinton Rae, director of Language Examinations, Trinity College of London.
While addressing mediapersons in the city, he said that the College through Orient Longman conducts the Integrated Skills in English examinations (ISE) and Graded examinations in spoken English (GESE) for people across all age groups across 40 centres in India.
“India has a head start over other countries. And there has been an increased awareness and a need to improve English and raise English standards in schools,” he said.
The exams like IELTS and TOEFL are filtration exams and check the status of learning, he said, while this certification from Trinity aims towards improving your proficiency of English and how well you can use the language.”
Adding that the schools train students for these exams and Orient Longman help teachers to prepare the students, he said, “We will take this forward in three phases to create awareness this year. We will target schools first and then colleges and individuals.”
The consultant, Examinations Division, Orient Longman, Joe Tun Sein said, “We have got a very good response from semi-urban areas and smaller towns in the country. And we will develop ways of taking this on a wider basis.”
And talking about the acceptance of these exams in Universities overseas, Clinton said, “We are one of the strongest in the Europe. And we have our presence in Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, China and other countries. We are still exploring the possibilities of developing this.”
The ESOL examinations are conducted in February, September and November in India.
Saturday July 8 2006 11:27 IST
CHENNAI: It has been only two years since the Trinity examinations in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) were brought to India through Orient Longman.
And last year, 3,000 students wrote the exam and this year we expect an increase of at least 8 times, said Clinton Rae, director of Language Examinations, Trinity College of London.
While addressing mediapersons in the city, he said that the College through Orient Longman conducts the Integrated Skills in English examinations (ISE) and Graded examinations in spoken English (GESE) for people across all age groups across 40 centres in India.
“India has a head start over other countries. And there has been an increased awareness and a need to improve English and raise English standards in schools,” he said.
The exams like IELTS and TOEFL are filtration exams and check the status of learning, he said, while this certification from Trinity aims towards improving your proficiency of English and how well you can use the language.”
Adding that the schools train students for these exams and Orient Longman help teachers to prepare the students, he said, “We will take this forward in three phases to create awareness this year. We will target schools first and then colleges and individuals.”
The consultant, Examinations Division, Orient Longman, Joe Tun Sein said, “We have got a very good response from semi-urban areas and smaller towns in the country. And we will develop ways of taking this on a wider basis.”
And talking about the acceptance of these exams in Universities overseas, Clinton said, “We are one of the strongest in the Europe. And we have our presence in Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, China and other countries. We are still exploring the possibilities of developing this.”
The ESOL examinations are conducted in February, September and November in India.
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