You may not have heard about it yet, but the British Council has created the Aptis test, an online language test which helps students and teachers to measure the level of their English. The test measures their ability across all four skills as well as vocabulary and grammar and can diagnose precisely where they need to improve.
Aptis is a great development for teachers because it doesn’t just tell you where your students need support, but there is also Aptis for Teachers, a version specifically designed for teachers so they too can look for areas where they can improve their own English. Best of all Aptis for Teachers is based around teaching related texts, contexts and the kinds of language we need to use in the classroom.
Aptis for Teachers is already being rolled out around the world through various universities and ministries of education who are using it to evaluate the language level of their teachers and identify how they can help and support them to ensure the best possible levels of teacher performance, but now EnglishUp is also working in partnership with the British Council to make the test available to individual teachers.
Why take Aptis for Teachers
Here’s why I think this is a great test for non-native speaker teachers to take.
Confidence
- As teachers of English we can often feel insecure or unsure of our own level. When we go to conferences or meet or interact with other teachers online and talk about and share ideas regarding our profession we often wonder, do they really understand us? Are they judging my level? With the Aptis test for teachers you will know the level of your English and be able to feel more confident when interacting with other teachers from around the world.
Self improvement
- We spend so much time helping students to improve their English that it’s easy to forget about our own. It can be difficult to self evaluate and judge your own level, but the Aptis test for teachers helps us to identify our strengths and our weaknesses and highlights exactly where we can focus our attention on making improvements.
Equality
- However good we are and whatever we do to improve our language level we still have to face constant prejudice because we are not native speakers. With the Aptis for teachers test we have a valid certification of our level to show to prospective employers.
Portfolio of qualifications
- Aptis for teachers can enhance our portfolio of qualifications and strengthen our CV/ resume when we are applying for work. It can make the difference when trying to get a better job.
Convenience
- Aptis for teachers is a computer based test so you can do it from home using your own computer. You don’t have to travel to a test centre and you can relax in your own home and do the test at a time that is convenient for you
Specific
- Aptis for teachers is based around familiar teaching and classroom related texts and scenarios so you won’t be tripped up by texts or vocabulary related to topics you don’t know about or aren’t interested in.
Reliable
- Although Aptis for teachers is a computer based test, all of your productive skills work is evaluated by skilled and experienced human markers. This means that the test can allow you to speak or write freely and use the best scope of your ability.
Evaluative
- Aptis for teachers isn’t a test that you pass or fail, so you won’t be wasting your money. Aptis for teachers will measure the skills that you have and provide evidence of the level of those skills. Because it is a British Council test you can also rely on the confidentiality of your results.
Economical
- Because you don’t need to take time off work, do a preparation course or go to an examination centre, Aptis for teachers is an affordable test and a great way to enhance your employability without spending a lot of money.
Credible
- Because Aptis for Teachers is created and accredited by the British Council it carries the authority and reliability of a powerful international organisation with more than 70 years of experience in language teaching and testing.
Find out more about the test and how you can do it at: http://www.onlineenglishteachingtests.com/
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The post Aptis for Teachers and ten reasons for taking it appeared first on EnglishUp.
