UK expert all praise for language skills of Indians
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More students opting for ESOL examination
For Trinity, India emerging market
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EXPRESSION MATTERS: Ben McDonald, examiner from Trinity College London, conducting Graded Examinations in Spoken English for students at HMK Public School on Saturday.
VIJAYAWADA: The quality of English spoken in India is much superior to what it is in some of the European countries, according to Ben McDonald, an examiner with Trinity College, London.
Mr. McDonald was speaking to The Hindu on Saturday, taking some time off from the task for which he had come all the way from London: to conduct the Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE) for about 60 students of two schools at HMK Public School, Gosala, near here.The GESE is part of the Trinity College's English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) examinations, which are fast catching the attention of many young students who are keen on getting an endorsement for their language skills.
Mr. McDonald, who has a long experience of testing the spoken English skills of students of various levels in different countries, said: "This is my first visit to India as an examiner, and I must say I'm really impressed by the English language skills of Indians."
Pointing out that the number of people who could speak English in India was more than what it was in the UK, Mr. McDonald said that this fact should give intonation of Indian English some legitimacy.
"Indian accent is a music in itself. Indians definitely use much less slang than others, and there is also some formality and politeness in the way it is spoken, which, I think, comes from the cultural milieu of Indians," he felt.
Mr. McDonald said it was gratifying to see more and more schools and students opting for ESOL examinations of Trinity College, and the phenomenon was no longer limited to metro cities and State capitals, which it was when ESOL made an entry into India first time in September 2004.
What began with just 485 students reached a stage where about 4,000 students were taking a shot at both GESE and the other part of ESOL, i.e. Integrated Skills in English Examination (ISE).
For Trinity, India was an emerging market along with China.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Candidates breeze through ESOL test, The Hindu 19Nov06
Test comprises GESE and ISE tests
CHENNAI: Examinations usually build up tension and increase blood pressure levels in students. But, students who took London Trinity College's English aptitude test on Friday appeared cool.
The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) test, comprising the Graded Examination in Spoken English (GESE) test and the Integrated Skills in English (ISE) test, assesses a candidate's prowess in spoken English and his or her integrated skills in English (ISE), such as speaking, writing, listening and learning abilities.
"The test helps us to know our writing and speaking skills. Unlike other exams this is done mainly in a conversational mode and helps bring out all our talent," said Kalathmika, a Standard XI student who took the test.
"The method makes it interesting. We can choose a topic and discuss it with the examiner. There would be discussions on general matters and also on our writings. This help us to research, organise, structure and communicate our ideas more effectively," said Nithya Ragavan, an ISE test candidate.
According to A.P. Latha, co-ordinator of the examinations, in Chennai, 24 students appeared for the ESOL tests this year including 14 for the GESE and 11 for the ISE. GESE has 12 levels and ISE has four levels. Students can choose their levels.
"A pass in the test equips us with an international certification that would immensely help students going abroad for studies or jobs," said Nandana, a Standard VIII student. "For me language is a passion. I am a working woman and these type of exams which test the flair for language help me to work more and study lot in English," said Mini, who works with Oasis Tours in Chennai.
Orient Longman is the national manager of the ESOL exams in India. The exams were introduced in India three years ago.
CHENNAI: Examinations usually build up tension and increase blood pressure levels in students. But, students who took London Trinity College's English aptitude test on Friday appeared cool.
The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) test, comprising the Graded Examination in Spoken English (GESE) test and the Integrated Skills in English (ISE) test, assesses a candidate's prowess in spoken English and his or her integrated skills in English (ISE), such as speaking, writing, listening and learning abilities.
"The test helps us to know our writing and speaking skills. Unlike other exams this is done mainly in a conversational mode and helps bring out all our talent," said Kalathmika, a Standard XI student who took the test.
"The method makes it interesting. We can choose a topic and discuss it with the examiner. There would be discussions on general matters and also on our writings. This help us to research, organise, structure and communicate our ideas more effectively," said Nithya Ragavan, an ISE test candidate.
According to A.P. Latha, co-ordinator of the examinations, in Chennai, 24 students appeared for the ESOL tests this year including 14 for the GESE and 11 for the ISE. GESE has 12 levels and ISE has four levels. Students can choose their levels.
"A pass in the test equips us with an international certification that would immensely help students going abroad for studies or jobs," said Nandana, a Standard VIII student. "For me language is a passion. I am a working woman and these type of exams which test the flair for language help me to work more and study lot in English," said Mini, who works with Oasis Tours in Chennai.
Orient Longman is the national manager of the ESOL exams in India. The exams were introduced in India three years ago.
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