The question every English as a Foreign Language Learner has made at some point.
According to the CEFR there are six levels of proficiency in the English language. This might seem quite absurd for any language learner who is not familiar with these kinds of classifications, it definitely makes little sense to me. I had never given much though to these exams until fairly recently. In the last years I have finished my Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature as well as a Masters Degree in English teaching. This I though should be enough in order to prove that I was what “experts” call a “proficient user”. However, I had to find the hard way that this was not the case.
Yes, after too many years learning this language, and even living in the UK for several years, I was not considered a “proficient user” because I had no official certificates.
Well, when I found this it became a hard pill to swallow. I could be a certificated English teacher but anybody with a C2 certificate could take a job opportunity from me just because the person had that specific title.
After a few days of resignation I decided to accept the reality of these facts and paid the small fee to seat the exam. You need to know that during this time I started to question my own level. They had succeeded, I was not sure about my own language competence even after 5 years of college education in this subject matter.
So I did took I though was the most sound choice at the time, I registered to take both the C1 and the C2 exams. Looking back I belief that I was at a low point when I took this decision. I had been studying for the state exams for 6 months and my motivation was an all time low.
The day finally came… well, more exactly the days came. After paying 204€ and 209€ for each exam, I spent two unbelievable sunny Sundays stuck in a tiny room proving to the world that my language was good enough to earn a certificate. It seems quite odd to think that I even got nervous when the speaking part of the exam took place. I had not only studied in a British University, but also worked in a restaurant in London and I still felt uneasy before the exam began.
After this two weeks ended I was relief. However, I was sure that I had not passed the C2 exam. I knew it, it was not perfect. I had graded many papers from my students and I was certain that my exam was very far from being perfect. I was so sure, that I told everybody that I had a bad day and I didn’t know if I would even get a pass… I guess this was my way of justifying myself. Looking back I know that I was so disappointed with myself that I even questioned if I was ever that competent in English. English has been my life since I was 13 years old and I started watching TV series in this language. And from that point onwards I have relied in it for everything. But if I was not able to pass this exam, what was my thing then? 24 is too late to change your career path.
Yes, I began to question everything because of an English Certificate. That is why I know they are important. They might not seem important to you, but society NEEDS them, they need you to prove that you can pass the exam.
I mean, I can tell you that my brother does not posses a C1 level, but he does have the certificate. How is that possible?! Easy. You do not need to prove your language competence, you need to learn HOW TO DO the exams.
I don’t know if you even care, but I did get my certificate. If I could, I would go back in time and give myself a little slap in the face. Come on! Did you really think you could not do it? What I have learnt from this LIFE-CHANGING experience is that I need to improve my self-esteem. But this is what this exams make to you, I have been studying English all my life and I have a Master’s Degree in English teaching. And that is why I can tell you that you cannot prove your level of English with this exams. It is impossible. It would take much more time, and a wide range of activities to be able to evaluate one’s level.
But thanks society, nowadays you need certificates for everything, in Spain we call this phenomena “Titulitis”, the illness of having to have titles. If I showed you my CV you could not tell I’m only 24 years old. I’m not bragging, mine is almost empty compared with some of my friend’s CV.
If you made it this far congratulations, now I’m going to share with you the some of the research I made regarding the different Certificate Exams you can choose from and its range price.
One of the main questions every learner of English as a foreign language have is which EXAM should they take. There is no easy answer, most people in Europe go for IELTS, Cambridge and Trinity Exams; while in the American continent people tend to take the TOEFL exams.
First of all, TOEFL and IELTS exams are the ones preferred for visa, university, and job applications. While the Cambridge exams is the best choice for more academic purposes. Trinity exams on the other hand, have a less prestige in this area.
In addition, there is another issue to take into account while selecting a specific institute. These exams are not cheap… and that is why many choose IELTS or TOEFL. Unlike Cambridge Exams, with these two you get a diploma with a SCORE. With Cambridge Exams, if you do not pass the exam, you will not get a certificate.
However, there is another issue to take into account regarding the selection of exams: TIME. Cambridge Exams do not have an expiation date, this does not happen with the other examinations that are only valid for a period of two years.
Price list:
- TOEFL: 180€
- IELTS: 180€
- CAMBRIDGE (CPE-C2): 210€
- TRINITY (ISE IV): 210€
- TRINITY GESE 12 (Oral): 142€
