University of Gothenburg, Department of Education and Special Education
P.O. Box 300, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden. Fax: +46 (0)31 786 23 80

Useful Links - Organisations (by country)

 

International
 
Organisation: British Council Peace-keeping English Project (PEP)
URL: http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-elt-pep.htm
Description: The aim of this programme is to enhance political and military stability through improving the English language communication skills of the police and armed forces, and so improve international co-operation in NATO peacekeeping operations and other areas. There are currently twenty-one individual Peacekeeping English Projects in twenty-two countries, mainly in East and Central Europe.
 
Organisation: Dave's ESL Cafe Assessment Forum
URL: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/teacher/viewforum.php?f=4
Description: A meeting place for ESL and EFL teachers around the world.
 
Organisation: DIALANG
URL: http://www.dialang.org/english/mailinglist.htm
Description: DIALANG offers carefully designed and validated tests of different language skills, and is the first major language assessment system to be based on the Council of Europe's 'Common European Framework of Reference', which has become established throughout Europe as the most widely recognized frame of reference in the field of language learning.
 
Organisation: ETS Europe
URL: http://www.uk.etseurope.org/
Description: ETS Europe markets and runs the ETS TOEFL tests and similar exams.
 
Organisation: International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
URL: http://www.ibo.org
Description: The IBO offers the Diploma Programme, a two year pre-university course of study for students between the ages of 16-19. As part of the Diploma Programme the IBO offers language courses which lead to examinations. These courses and examinations are offered worldwide.
 
Albania
 
Organisation: National Assessment and Examination Center
URL:
Description: Mission: Designing and administering the Albanian Language National Examination. Processing and analyzing of statistical and psychometrical data. Providing training. Publishing reports. Undertaking research in educational assessment and evaluation. Elaborating the regulations concerning the design and administration of national examinations.
 
Austria
 
Organisation: Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch (The Austrian German Diploma).
URL: http://www.osd.at
Description: International Exams for German as a Foreign Language
 
Belgium
 
Organisation: Institut des Langues Vivantes (ILV), Université Catholique de Louvain, (The Institute of Languages)
URL: http://www.ilv.ucl.ac.be/ILV
Description: The ILV is the language institute of the university in Louvain. Every year, it provides language facilities to about 10,000 students from all the faculties of the university, taking into account their training profile and goals. The Institute has 75 staff members. Fourteen different languages are taught at the Institute: Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Slovenian, Spanish and Turkish.
 
Organisation: Het Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (CNaVT) (The Certificate Dutch as a Foreign Language)
URL: http://www.cnavt.org
Description: This organisation introduced a new certificate system in 2003, to reflect more closely the needs of those who want to use the Dutch language. Some people learn Dutch because they are working for Dutch speaking companies, others have family or friends in Flanders or the Netherlands. The CNaVT offers an internationally recognised certificate system, consisting of four different profiles (Academic, Professional, Social and Informal) related to the Comon European Framework.
 
Organisation: Centrum voor Taal en Migratie (Centre for Language and Migration)
URL: http://www.nt2.be
Description: Centrum voor Taal en Migratie (a support centre for the field of Dutch language education) develops standardised language tests and assessment procedures for classroom assessment in Flanders.
 
Organisation: UA Language Test Centre (University of Antwerp Language Test Centre)
URL: http://www.ua.ac.be/testcentrum
Description: The UA Language Test Centre is the Cambridge ESOL examinations centre for Flanders and it is an internal test centre for IELTS - in collaboration with the British Council in Brussels. Its staff is also involved in language testing research and language test development (e.g. for Dutch FL) and organizes workshops on these topics.
 
Organisation: Linguapolis, Institute for Language Pedagogy: Research, Development and Training (University of Antwerp)
URL: http://www.ua.ac.be/linguapolis
Description: Linguapolis combines the expertise of the former language centres of the University of Antwerp: ICTL, Centrum voor taal en spraak and DIDASCALIA. It aims to synthesise, develop, apply and distribute scientific and practical expertise to make language learning, acquisition, teaching, testing and communication more efficient.
 
Bulgaria
 
Organisation: University of Sofia "St Kliment Ohridski" Department of Language Learning (DLL)
URL: http://www.deo.uni-sofia.bg
Description: DLL offers three types of tests in Bulgarian:Standard Test of Bulgarian as a Foreign Language, Test of Business Bulgarian, Threshold Tests of Bulgarian for Foreign Students. The administration office at the DLL sets and organizes the test and issues Certificates of Bulgarian as a Foreign Language.
 
Czech Republic
 
Organisation: Centre for Monitoring the Results in Education
URL: http://www.cermat.cz
Description: The school-leaving exam is the responsibility of the Centre for Monitoring the Results in Education.
 
Organisation: Defence Language Institute in Vyskov
URL: http://www.revd-army.cz
Description: This centre tests languages for the Armed Forces: STANAG 6001 exams.
 
Organisation: Ministerstvo školství (Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports)
URL: http://www.msmt.cz/Files/HTM/IMPrehledzkousekfin.htm
Description: The State Language Schools provide State Exam Certificates at two levels (lower and higher).
 
Organisation: Institute of Professional Linguistic Training, Charles University
URL: http://www.ujop.cuni.cz/
Description: This institute offers a range of language courses to international and home students.
 
Denmark
 
Organisation: Danish Language Testing Consortium (DLTC)
URL: http://www.inm.dk
Description: The Danish Language Testing Consortium was formed early in 1993 and brings together two organisations: Studieskolerne in Denmark and The Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. Studieskolerne is a chain of language centres that administers the Danish language tests, together with other language centres in the country. The Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs has an examination unit for tests in Danish for foreigners and supervise the administration of the tests throughout the country.
 
Estonia
 
Organisation: The Estonian Examinations and Qualifications Centre
URL: http://www.ekk.edu.ee/riigieksamid/index.html
Description: This centre organises school-leaving examinations in Estonia.
 
Finland
 
Organisation: Opetushallitus (Finnish National Board of Education)
URL: http://www.oph.fi
Description: The Finnish National Board of Education (NBE) draws up core curricula for basic and upper secondary education, the framework for vocational qualifications and competence-based qualifications, and undertakes various projects to develop education.
 
Organisation: Soveltavan kielentutkimuksen keskus (SOLKI) Centre for Applied Language Studies (CALS) Jyväskylä University
URL: http://www.solki.jyu.fi/flashindex.htm
Description: CALS conducts research on language use and the learning, teaching and assessment of language, both on a social and an individual level. These issues are considered from the point of view of both the mother tongue and foreign languages.
 
Organisation: Työministeriö (Ministry of Labour)
URL: http://www.mol.fi/migration/ajankoht.html
Description: The Finnish language examination for Finnish-Ingrian returnees (abbreviated IPAKI in Finnish) is a language examination organised by Finnish authorities and specially designed for the purpose. The examination is for immigrants of Finnish descent who are living mainly in Russia but also in other countries such as Estonia.
 
Organisation: Ylioppilastutkinto Suomessa (Finnish Matriculation Examination Board )
URL: http://www.ylioppilastutkinto.fi/
Description: The Finnish Matriculation Examination Board arranges the national matriculation tests in different subjects for the graduates of sixth form (upper secondary school) in Finland. In addition to subjects like mathematics, physics, geography, biology etc the students are tested in their mother tongue and in several foreign languages.
 
France
 
Organisation: Centre International d'Ētudes Pédagogiques (CIEP) (The International Centre for Pedagogical Studies)
URL: http://www.ciep.fr/presentationciep/index.htm
Description: CIEP is a public institute of the French Ministry of Education. Since its creation in 1945 the CIEP has made a significant contribution to the development of international co-operation in education and teaching and examination of the French Language with a team of 170 trainers, project managers and administrative staff and independent French and foreign experts.
 
Organisation: Alliance Française (AF)
URL: http://www.alliancefr.org
Description: The Alliance Française is a state-approved, non-profit-making organisation. It is dedicated to the teaching and dissemination of French language and culture.
 
Organisation: Franc-Parler
URL: http://www.francparler.org/parcours/certifications.htm
Description: Intergovernmental agency for the promotion of the French language.
 
Germany
 
Organisation: Goethe Institut
URL: http://www.goethe.de
Description: Offers internationally recognised standards, language courses, exams and qualifications, in German as a Foreign Language.
 
Organisation: Institut für Qualitätssicherung im Bildungswesen (IQB ) (Institute for quality assurance in the educational sector)
URL: http://www.iqb.hu-berlin.de
Description: This institute of all 16 German Länder was founded in order to provide tests aiming at our new national standards in the subjects Mathematics, German and the first foreign language, i.e. English or French.
 
Organisation: Ministerium für Schule und Weiterbildung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (Ministry of School and Further Education in Nordrhein-Westfalia)
URL: http://www.bildungsportal.nrw.de/BP/Schule/System/Faecher/Fremdsprachen/Zertifikate/index.html
Description: Teachers, students, parents and the interested public are informed about appropriate language tests and the function of external language certifications in the language learning process.
 
Organisation: Staatsinstitut für Schulqualität und Bildungsforschung Muenchen (ISB) (Institute for School Quality and Educational Research in Munich)
URL: http://www.isb.bayern.de/isb/index.asp
Description: The ISB is the central source of information for schools and colleges in Bavaria, offering advice and support and driving forward initiatives to promote quality and development.
 
Organisation: Arbeitskreis der Sprachenzentren, Sprachlehrinstitute und Fremdspracheninstitute (AKS) (Association of language centres, language teaching institutes and institutes of foreign languages)
URL: http://rcswww.urz.tu-dresden.de/~unicert
Description: The aims are to standardise the grades awarded by universities for various levels of modern language competence, to promote a greater degree of comparability between university language course programmes and thus to introduce a certificate which is valid and acceptable also beyond the university context, as an indication of practical foreign language ability as required by academically trained personnel.
 
Organisation: The European Language Certificates (TELC) Weiterbilduns-Testsysteme GmbH (WBT) (Further Education Test Systems)
URL: http://www.language-certificates.com
Description: The WBT is a not- for- profit institution which provides The European Language Certificates (TELC). These are language examinations at four levels of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework which are recognised all over Europe. They can be taken in over fifteen countries at more than 3,300 examination centres. In addition to the URL provided above, there is an alternative website URL: http://www.telc.net.
 
Organisation: Thuringian Ministry of Education, Thuringian Institute of Inservice Teacher training, Curriculum Development and Media
URL: http://www.thueringen.de/de/suche/searchloader.asp?url=/de/tkm/schule/schuleonline/pruefung/content.html
Description: The institution that publishes the exam papers is the Thuringian Ministry of Education in Erfurt while the texts, tasks and marking schemes are written under the supervision of the Thuringian Institute of Inservice Teacher training, Curriculum Development and Media in Bad Berka/Germany.
 
Organisation: The TestDaF Institute.
URL: http://www.testdaf.de
Description: "Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache" (TestDaF; Test of German as a Foreign Language). This test allows foreign applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of German while still in their home country. The TestDaF Institute (Hagen, Germany), centrally constructs and evaluates TestDaF tasks and items and scores TestDaF examinee performance. The TestDaF was administered worldwide for the first time in April 2001.
 
Greece
 
Organisation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,Faculty of English Studies
URL: http://www.cc.uoa.gr/english/kpg/info_about_kpg.htm
Description: This university offers the State Certificate of Foreign Language Proficiency which examines proficiency in English, French, Italian and German.
 
Organisation: The Centre for the Greek Language
URL: http://www.greeklanguage.gr
Description: The aims of the Centre for the Greek Language are: the fostering and promotion of the Greek language within and outside Greece; through this, the reinforcement of the national identity of the Greeks of the diaspora; the organisation of the teaching of Greek to foreigners in Greece and abroad; the support of the teachers of the Greek language in Greece and abroad; the production of teaching materials, and anything else which contributes to the promotion and dissemination of the Greek language generally. The Centre has developed the Examination for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Greek. This is available at four levels of proficiency in the language.
 
Organisation: Panhellenic Federation of Language School Owners PALSO
URL: http://www.palso.gr
 
Organisation: Centre for Language Testing and Certification, School of Philosophy, University of Athens
URL: http://www.uoa.gr
 
Organisation: Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs
URL: http://www.cc.uoa.gr/english/kpg/index.htm
Description: The Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs offers the State Certificate of Foreign Language Proficiency (KPG).
 
Organisation: Ελληνοαμερικανική Ένωση (ΕΑΕ) / Hellenic American Union
URL: http://www.hau.gr/hau/en/exams_intro.html
Description: The Hellenic American Union administers a range of examinations, with a strong focus on language competency certification. These tests include the University of Michigan Examinations for the Certificates of Competency and Proficiency in English, the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Greek, and other officially recognized language examinations, as well as examinations in information technology and translation.
 
Hungary
 
Organisation: The Hungarian Association of Language Examiners and Measurement Specialists.
URL: http://www.nyelvtudasmerok.hu
Description: The objectives of the association are to: ensure that the voice of the language testing profession on relevant educational matters is heard and that this voice is representative and authoritative; to develop, proclaim and follow the adherence to of professional testing standards in Hungary, especially in quality assurance; to develop/maintain codes of professional ethics and practice; to promote the publication and dissemination of information related to the field of language testing; to initiate professional debate on current testing and educational issues; and to periodically organise workshops/training around language testing issues.
 
Organisation: European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages (ECL Consortium) University of Pécs, Foreign Language Centre
URL: http://www.ecl.hu
Description: The ECL Consortium is an association of institutions representing European languages which aims to promote the mutual teaching of the languages of Europe; to provide unified, reliable and valid standards for the assessment of attained language knowledge; and to provide comparability of certificates obtained and exam results achieved in the individual languages.
 
Organisation: Euro Nyelvvizsga Központ (the Euro Examination Centre).
URL: http://www.euroexam.org
Description: This is currently the third biggest exam centre in Hungary, also operating in Romania, Serbia and Spain.
 
Organisation: Institute of International Education European Office (IIE)
URL: http://www.iie.hu
Description: Institute of International Education (IIE) European Office representing TOEFL, TOEIC, and other ETS English Language Tests and Services.
 
Organisation: Hungarian English Certification System
URL: http://www.examsreform.hu
Description: This British Council funded project was officially launched in May 1998 with the aim of developing a multi-level standardised, valid and reliable school-leaving examination in English for the Hungarian School-leaving Examination Reform.
 
Organisation: Idegennyelvi Továbbképzõ Központ (ITK) Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) (The Centre for Advanced Language Learning )
URL: http://www.itk.hu
Description: The ELTE is a non-profit institution. The main focus of the more than thirty-year-old institution is the administration of examinations, but it is involved in language teaching, as well. There are more than 130,000 candidates each year and examinations are administered in 27 languages, Hungarian as a foreign language among them.
 
Organisation: Nyelvvizsgát Akkreditáló Testület (NYAT) (The Hungarian Accreditation Board for Foreign Language Examinations)
URL: http://www.nyak.hu
Description: This board is responsible for accrediting and reviewing state recognised foreign language examinations in Hungary. The website has all sorts of information, including the list of all the accredited examination providers and their examination centres with contact addresses and URLs.
 
Ireland
 
Organisation: Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit - State Examinations Commission
URL: http://www.examinations.ie
Description: The State Examinations Commission is responsible for the development, assessment, accreditation and certification of the second-level examinations of the Irish state: the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate. The State Examinations Commission is a non-departmental public body under the aegis of the Department of Education and Science.
 
Organisation: The Language Centre, National University of Ireland Maynooth
URL: http://www.nuim.ie
Description: The Language Centre is engaged in testing Irish for adults, currently at levels A1 and A2 of the CEFR. Examinations at A1, A2, B1 and B2  levels will be available from May 2006.
 
Organisation: Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS)
URL: http://www.acels.ie/acelstie.htm
Description: The Test of Interactive English (TIE) is an Irish EFL exam developed by a group of Irish EL professionals under the aegis of the Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS). The test is task-based, requiring each candidate to carry out a number of pre-specified tasks prior to taking the test. The test is offered in two formats: The Junior TIE: for English language learners of 12- 18 years old The TIE: for English language learners of 18+ (post secondary)
 
Italy
 
Organisation: Centre for Evaluation and Language Certification, Università per Stranieri di Perugia (The University for Foreigners in Perugia)
URL: http://www.unistrapg.cvcl.it/
Description: The Certification Unit of the Università per Stranieri di Perugia has developed a five-level examinations system in order to assess learners of Italian as a Foreign Language. One of the main responsibilities of the Unit is the design and development of proficiency tests, and it is also in charge of the implementation of assessment programmes and the advancement of both applied and theoretical research.
 
Organisation: University of Rome 'Roma Tre', Department of Linguistics
URL: http://host.uniroma3.it/dipartimenti/linguistica/
Description: The Department of Linguistics designs, produces and administers a certificate of Italian as a Foreign Language for Levels B1 (ele.IT) and C2 (IT) of the CEF. Both certificates, IT and ele.IT, are recognised by the Italian State (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education and Research) and can be taken both in Rome and in numerous other institutions abroad, including Italian Institutes of Culture.
 
Organisation: Associazione Italiana Centri Linguistici Universitari (AICLU)
URL: http://www.aiclu.it
Description: In addition to other activities, AICLU has funded a project for linguistic competence certification in Italian universities (http://www.aiclu.it/cerclu/index.htm)
 
Organisation: Università per Stranieri di Siena (The University for Foreigners in Sienna)
URL: http://www.unistrasi.it
Description: The University for Foreigners of Siena is a public Italian university. Its mission is teaching and research to favour the knowledge and diffusion of languages and cultures, in particular Italian language and culture. The CILS (Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language) Centre works within the University. It carries out research in language testing field and issues the CILS Certification - a six-level test in Italian as a second language.
 
Latvia
 
Organisation: Latvijas Republikas Naturalizācijas pārvaldē (The Methodology Sector of the Methodology and Examination Centre of the Naturalization Board)
URL: http://www.np.gov.lv
Description: The Methodology Sector of the Methodology and Examination Centre of the Naturalization Board is responsible for the content and procedure of testing proficiency in the Latvian Language.
 
Organisation: Izglītības satura un eksaminācijas centrs (Centre for Curriculum Development and Examinations)
URL: http://www.isec.gov.lv
Description: The ISEC is a state institution under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia. The Centre is financed from the state budget. Some of its activities are: to organize the development and improvement of the curriculum in primary education and compulsory secondary education; to develop educational standards and teaching and learning programs models; to organize the evaluation of the teaching materials; to consult and inform methodological and professional associations of teachers, administrations of educational establishments and heads of the regional methods department; to develop and improve national examination system, to administer examinations and mark test papers.
 
Lithuania
 
Organisation: Nacionalinis egzaminų centras (National Examinations Centre)
URL: http://www.egzaminai.lt
Description: This organisation has responsibility for all examinations, including language, in schools throughout Lithuania.
 
Organisation: Lituanistiniu studiju katedra (The Department of Lithuanian Studies, Vilnius University)
URL: http://www.vu.lt
Description: The Department of Lithuanian Studies, Vilnius University, offers a study programme of Lithuanian as a second/foreign language and Lithuanian culture to local and international students of different mother-tongue backgrounds. Since 1999, the Department of Lithuanian Studies has been an associate member of ALTE and has been contributing to language policy, test design and exam administration at the national level.
 
Organisation: Valstybės institucijų kalbų centras (The Public Service Language Centre)
URL: http://www.vikc.lt
Description: This institution is co-ordinating a project supported by the European Commission whereby students can test their own knowledge of several European languages, by taking one of the placement tests on their web site.
 
Organisation: Lithuanian MoD testing team
URL: http://www.kam.lt
Description: Every year in Lithuania approximately 1500 people working for the Lithuanian Army are tested. Lithuanian MoD testing team designs and conducts a multilevel test (Levels 1-3) according to the STANAG 6001 descriptors.
 
Luxembourg
 
Organisation: EUROCONTROL Institute of Air Navigation Services (IANS)
URL: http://www.eurocontrol.int/index1.html
Description: The mission of IANS is to provide education and transfer of knowledge to Air Navigation Service Providers, ATM Regulators, Member States and the EUROCONTROL Agency. By doing so, we contribute to cooperative network design and provide support to regulation leading to enhanced safety and security, increased capacity and efficiency and increased awareness about environmental issues.
 
Organisation: Centre de Langues Luxembourg
URL: http://www.cll.lu
Description: The official Language School for Adults of the Ministry of Education in Luxembourg, the Centre de Langues offers language courses at all levels in 8 European languages. The Centre de Langues Luxembourg is the official Assessment Centre for Luxembourgish: LaF (Lktzebuergesch als Friemsprooch).
 
Malta
 
Organisation: Matsec Board, University of Malta.
URL: http://www.education.gov.mt/ministry/committees/matsec.htm
Description: The official organization in Malta which is responsible for the setting of exam papers at ordinary, intermediate and advanced level.
 
Netherlands
 
Organisation: IDP Education (Australia), in co-operation with Utrecht University
URL: http://www.idp.com/nl/ieltstest/article164.asp
Description: IELTS test centre in Utrecht, administered by IDP Education Australia (Netherlands) in cooperation with Utrecht University. The test location is the Utrecht University College, Descartes Building
 
Organisation: Bureau ICE (Institute for InterCultural Evaluation)
URL: http://www.bureau-ice.nl
Description: This institute specialises in developing tests of Dutch as a second language, but also has various other aims, such as assessment of competences in vocational education.
 
Organisation: CITO
URL: http://www.cito.nl/i_index.htm
Description: CITO, based in the Netherlands, is one of the world’s leading testing and assessment companies. Measuring and monitoring human potential has been their key aim since 1968. They work for educational institutions, governments and companies, with learning performance and performance in the workplace as their focal points. Their work builds on the latest developments in ICT and sychometric research.
 
Norway
 
Organisation: Utdanningsdirektoratet (The Directorate for Primary and Secondary Education)
URL: http://www.utdanningsdirektoratet.no
Description: The objective of the Directorate is to ensure that all pupils and apprentices receive the high quality education they are entitled to.
 
Organisation: Norsk språktest, Studieforbundet Folkeuniversitetet. University of Bergen.
URL: http://www.fu.no
Description: Norsk språktest is a department of Studieforbundet Folkeuniversitetet. The department has an administration section, based at Folkeuniversitetet, and a section which is based at the Department of Scandinavian Languages and Literature at the University of Bergen. The latter produces the tests and processes the results. Norsk språktest is run on a non-profit basis.
 
Organisation: Nasjonale Prøver i Engelsk (National Tests of English)
URL: http://bite.intermedia.uib.no
Description: The National tests of English are intended to assess pupils’ basic language skills in English reading. The function of the testing as a boost to learning is considered paramount; the tests are designed to give valuable feedback on pupils’ language skills, which will ultimately lead to more effective teaching and learning in the language classroom. The tests are developed by a team of test constructors and computer experts at the University of Bergen.
 
Organisation: Avdeling for kultur, språk og informasjonsteknologi (Aksis) (The Department of Culture, Language and Information Technology)
URL: http://www.aksis.uib.no
Description: Aksis is responsible for the administration of the national tests of Norwegian as a foreign language.
 
Poland
 
Organisation: Instytut Studisw Polonijnych i Etnicznych, Szkola Jezyka i Kultury Polskiej, Uniwersytet Jagiellonski w Krakowie (Institute of Polish Diaspora and Ethnic Studies and School of Polish Language and Culture, The Jagiellonian University)
URL: http://www.uj.edu.pl/Polonia/
Description: These two departments of the Jagiellonian University are involved in the preparatory work on the development of an examination system for Polish as a foreign language, commissioned by the Polish Ministry of National Education and Sports. Further information about the School of Polish Language and Culture may be found at the following URL: www2.uj.edu.pl/SL
 
Organisation: The State Commission for the Certification of Polish as a Foreign Language
URL: http://www.buwiwm.edu.pl/certyfikacja
Description: Organises the State Certificate Exams in Polish as a Foreign Language
 
Organisation: The Central Examination Commission
URL: http://www.cke.edu.pl
Description: The Central Examination Commission is responsible for all examinations in state primary, lower and upper secondary schools. Foreign languages figure only in upper secondary.
 
Portugal
 
Organisation: Departamento de Língua e Cultura Portuguesa (DLCP) Universidade de Lisboa
URL: http://www.ul.pt
Description: The DLCP is the department of the University of Lisbon where Portuguese as a Foreign and Second Language is taught. In addition to Portuguese language courses, the Department also provides courses in literature, history, art and geography for non-native speakers. The Department organises a postgraduate course and teacher training courses and is involved in the publishing of books and teaching materials. It also co-ordinates research in the field of teaching and testing Portuguese as a Foreign and Second Language.
 
Russia
 
Organisation: Центр Международного образования МГУ им. М.В. Ломоносова (Center for International Education, Moscow State University)
URL: http://www.cie.ru
Description: This test centre offers a pre-test examination; a Certificate in Russian as a Foreign Language Proficiency and in Russian for Academic Purposes; test preparation; computer practice for taking tests; courses for teachers in evaluating students' skills.
 
Organisation: Federal Institute for Educational Measurement (FIPI).
URL: http://www.fipi.ru
Description: FIPI develops The Unified State Examinations in Foreign Languages (as well as in other subjects).
 
Organisation: The Federal Testing Centre.
URL: http://www.rustest.ru
Description: The Federal Testing Centre is a body developing centralized exams (including foreign languages).
 
Organisation: The Russian Language Testing Center for Foreigners, St.Petersburg State University (SPSU)
URL: http://www.russian4foreigners.spb.ru/testing_center/index.html
Description: The Russian Language Testing Center for Foreigners is authorized to administer the state testing system in Russian as a Foreign Language. The Russian Language Testing Center for Foreigners is a member of the Russian Society of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature. The SPSU Testing Center is an official regional representative of the Leading Russian Language Testing Center for Non-Native Speakers of the Ministry for Compulsory and Professional Education of the Russian Federation. The SPSU Regional Testing Center provides five main testing levels aimed at evaluating language competence.
 
Organisation: The Unified State Examinations in Foreign Languages 
URL: http://www.ege.edu.ru
 
Scotland
 
Organisation: Scottish Qualifications Authority
URL: http://www.sqa.org.uk
Description: SQA is an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Scottish Executive Education Department.  It is the national body in Scotland responsible for the development, accreditation, assessment and certification of qualifications other than degrees.
 
Slovenia
 
Organisation: Center za slovenscino kot drugi/tuji jezik (Centre for Slovene as a second/foreign language.)
URL: http://www.centerslo.net
Description: The Centre for Slovene as a Second/Foreign Language extends the understanding of the Slovene language, literature and culture on an international scale. It also encourages international research in the Slovene language and literature, organises professional and scientific conferences and is developing the complete infrastructure for attaining, examining and certifying proficiency in Slovene as a second/foreign language.
 
Organisation: Drzavni izpitni center (National Examinations Centre)
URL: http://www.ric.si
Description: The activities of the National Examination Centre (NEC) are closely tied to its role as the central institution for knowledge assessment in Slovenia. These activites include the preparation, organisation and administration of exams .
 
Spain
 
Organisation: Fundación para la Investigación y Desarrollo de la Cultura Española (FIDESCU)
URL: http://www.fidescu.org
Description: This organisation specialises in the certification of Spanish language competence.
 
Organisation: Instituto Cervantes
URL: http://www.cervantes.es
Description: The Instituto Cervantes has the mission of exporting Spanish language and culture to the rest of the world.
 
Organisation: Universidad de Salamanca (The University of Salamanca)
URL: http://www.usal.es/curespus
Description: The University of Salamanca issued its own Diplomas in Spanish until 1991, when an agreement made with the Spanish Ministry for Education involved the University in developing, setting, marking and evaluating the tests for the official Diplomas in Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE). In 2002 the Ministry of Education devolved full responsibility for the DELE examination system to the Instituto Cervantes, which intends to renew the agreement with the University of Salamanca for the outsourcing of these tasks. The Diplomas are issued on behalf of the Ministry of Education of Spain by Director of the Instituto Cervantes.
 
Spain/Asturias
 
Organisation: Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Avilés
URL: http://www.eoiaviles.org
Description: This organisation's website offers examples of written exams for all the courses and languages that are taught there (English, French, German), and it also includes the syllabus and criteria for the evaluation of all courses and languages. Information can also be found at the following URL: http://www.eeooii.net
 
Spain / Basque
 
Organisation: Basque Government
URL: http://www.hezkuntza.net
Description: The Basque Language Service manages the international general Basque language examination: Euskararen Gaitasun Agiria (EGA) at the C1 level in the Common European Framework.
 
Spain / Catalonia
 
Organisation: Direcció General de Política Lingüística (DGPL) (General Directorate of Linguistic Policy in the autonomous government of Catalonia)
URL:
Description: This department sets and administers examinations leading to the Certificates of Catalan language.
 
Spain/Madrid
 
Organisation: Consejería de Educación de la Comunidad de Madrid (Department of Education. Madrid Regional Government)
URL: www.educa.madrid.org/eoi
Description: The site (which is still under construction) contains information on the language certification system for adults in Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas (Madrid). This takes into consideration CEFR principles although no linkage has been made to levels yet. Click on Pruebas (Tests) for general information on the test system. For test samples click on Alemán (German), Español para extranjeros (Spanish), Francés (French), Inglés (English), or Italiano (Italian).
 
Sweden
 
Organisation: Stockholms Universitet: Sfi-provet, Centrum för tvåspråkighetsforskning och Tisus, Institutionen för nordiska språk (The National Test of Swedish for Adult Immigrants, The Centre for Research on Bilingualism, and the test of Swedish for university students in the Institute for Scandinavian Languages)
URL: http://www.su.se
Description: The Centre for Research on Bilingualism produces the National Test of Swedish for Adult Immigrants, (Sfi-provet). The Department of Scandinavian Languages, in co-operation with the Universities of Gothenburg, Linköping, Lund, Malmö, Umeå and Uppsala is responsible for producing, analysing and developing Tisus (the Test in Swedish for University Studies).
 
Organisation: Department of Educational Measurement, Umeå Universitet
URL: http://www.umu.se/edmeas
Description: The aim of this department is to develop and evaluate methods, instruments, theories and systems for describing, interpreting and understanding of the knowledge, skills and attitudes of individuals and groups. The department also gives courses in educational measurements.
 
Organisation: Department of Education, Language and Literature Unit, Göteborg University, Sweden
URL: http://www.ped.gu.se/sol
Description: This department manages a number of assessment projects, the largest of which, "NAFS", is commissioned by the Swedish National Agency for Education, to produce, develop and carry out research on the various national assessment materials of English, French, German, and Spanish used throughout the Swedish school system.
 
Turkey
 
Organisation: ÖSYM (Student Selection and Development Centre)
URL: http://www.osym.gov.tr/default.aspx?DIL=1
Description: ÖSYM is part of the Turkish Board of Higher Education. ÖSYM is responsible for organising a number of language examinations. The language exams are called KPDS (for state employees), UDS (for university staff) and YDS (for university entrance).
 
United Kingdom
 
Organisation: Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP)
URL: http://www.cals.rdg.ac.uk/teep
Description: TEEP is a test of proficiency in English for Academic Purposes. It is designed to show whether a student has a level of English high enough for degree level study in UK higher education and will inform Admissions Offices of the acceptability of an applicant’s English language proficiency.
 
Organisation: Anglia Examination Syndicate
URL: http://www.anglia-examinations.co.uk
Description: The Anglia Examination Syndicate offers a comprehensive and structured programme of assessing English competence, which students undertake at their own pace, guided by their teachers.
 
Organisation: The Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA)
URL: http://www.qca.org.uk
Description: QCA is responsible for the National Curriculum in schools and the regulation of qualifications outside the Higher Education sector.
 
Organisation: London Chamber of Commerce and Industry International Qualifications.
URL: http://www.lccieb.com/Web/lccieb/index.aspx
Description: The LCCI offers a range of business qualifications in French, German and Spanish, which enable candidates to develop their conversational 'survival skills', their reading and writing skills and their knowledge of business-related vocabulary. Their international language examinations are aligned with the Common European Framework (CEF) and the British National Standards for Languages.
 
Organisation: Learning & Skills Council (LSC)
URL: http://www.lsc.gov.uk/National/default.htm
Description: The LSC’s single goal is to improve the skills of England's young people and adults to make sure that the workforce is of world-class standards. It is responsible for planning and funding high-quality vocational education and training for everyone.
 
Organisation: The Institute of Linguists  (IOL)
URL: http://www.iol.org.uk
Description: The Institute serves the interests of professional linguists throughout the world and acts as a respected language assessment and accredited awarding body.
 
Organisation: The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
URL: http://www.ielts.org
Description: IELTS is an internationally owned and globally recognised direct English language assessment of the highest quality and integrity readily available throughout the world.
 
Organisation: The Federation of Awarding Bodies - FAB
URL: http://www.awarding.org.uk
Description: The FAB represents bodies offering vocational qualifications in the UK (including ESOL).
 
Organisation: DRS Data & Research Services plc.
URL: http://www.DRS.co.uk
Description: DRS provide automated data capture solutions, products and services all over the world for education, government and commercial organisations. Typical applications include education administration and examination processing.
 
Organisation: Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/ESOL_Qualifications_Report
Description: Information on ESOL qualifications accredited in the UK.
 
Organisation: Delaso Defence Language Solutions UK Ltd.
URL: http://www.Delaso.co.uk
Description: Delaso specialises in military and security English language training and testing.
 
Organisation: City & Guilds
URL: http://www.cityandguilds.com
Description: City & Guilds recently merged with Pitman and offer assessment in General English (ESOL Skills for Life, International ESOL), Business English, English for Young Learners, English for Teachers, as well as vocational language qualifications in French, German, Italian, Spanish and Welsh.
 
Organisation: CILT-the National Centre for Languages
URL: http://www.cilt.org.uk
Description: CILT is responsible for the National Language Standards and the National Standards for Translating/Interpreting.
 
Organisation: The British Council
URL: http://www.britishcouncil.org
Description: The British Council is United Kingdom' international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. They offer a range of UK exams including business qualifications and English tests.
 
Organisation: Asset Languages
URL: http://www.assetlanguages.org.uk
Description: The Asset Languages assessment scheme is designed to provide voluntary accreditation options for language learners of all ages and abilities, from primary school through to further, higher and adult education. It is being developed by Cambridge Assessment through OCR and Cambridge ESOL, on behalf of the DfES.
 
Organisation: Trinity College London
URL: http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk
Description: Trinity offers the widest and most up-to-date range of assessments in the performing and communicative arts. They are fully accredited in the UK and their qualifications are recognised for education and employment in many countries.
 
Organisation: University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) Formerly university of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES)
URL: http://www.cambridgeesol.org
Description: Cambridge ESOL offers a suite of examinations which are taken by over 1.5 million people in 135 countries every year.
 
Wales
 
Organisation: Cyd-Bwyllgor Addysg Cymru (CBAC) Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC)
URL: http://www.wjec.co.uk
Description: The services provided include: examinations for schools, teacher / tutor training and producing Welsh language learning / teaching materials. The WJEC provides 4 qualifications specifically for adults who are learning Welsh as a second language.

 


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