By Amit Upadhyay
Studying abroad offers a multitude of opportunities for academic and career growth. For non-native English speakers, however, one of the crucial steps in the application process is proving proficiency in the English language. In this guide, here are some insights on how to prepare for them.
Universities in English-speaking countries require evidence of English language proficiency to ensure students can manage the demands of academic coursework, lectures, and social interactions. These evaluations act as a standardised measure for objectively assessing applicants’ language abilities.
Against this backdrop, two factors become decisive for a student to cross the entry-level portal: Understanding test requirements for preparations and practicing with goals set for each component of the test, especially for those not proficient in writing English or speaking it.
Students must familiarise themselves with the test format, sections, and content well in advance. Taking time to review the official guidelines and exploring sample questions provided by the test administrators is of great importance.
Once students have a clear idea of what is required of them, comes the question of self-evaluation. Taking full-length mock tests under timed conditions to simulate the actual test experience can provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses across different language skills. Analysing the performance will enable students to tailor the study plan to lay stress on areas that need improvement the most.
Prioritising on reading, listening, writing is a crucial skill set for students to focus on fundamental components of language comprehension and expression, ensuring a well-rounded ability to navigate and excel in the English language learning test.
Reading Skills: To enhance reading comprehension, students can focus on activities such as summarising passages, analysing text structures, and identifying main ideas.
Listening Skills: To improve listening skills, students must utilise English podcasts, interviews, movies, and TV shows to understand key concepts, details, tone, and purpose to improve their listening skills.
Writing Skills: To be proficient in writing, it is important to engage in active writing practice by listening to diverse audio materials, taking notes, and summarizing main points.
Set Clear Goals: Using the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) to set goals and create a structured study plan is paramount to effective preparation. Whether it’s improving vocabulary, enhancing grammar skills, or increasing reading speed, breaking down these goals into smaller milestones will help and track the progress effectively.
Focus on basics: Building a strong foundation in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation is essential for improving English language skills. One must devote time to review basic grammar rules, practice common idioms and expressions, and work on refining pronunciation. Strengthening these basics will provide a solid framework for further language development.
Seek Feedback: A student shouldn’t hesitate to seek feedback from a tutor or language partner to further enhance language skills. They can provide valuable insights into areas that need improvement and offer guidance on how to address them effectively. Incorporating feedback into the practice routine will accelerate progress and help to reach language learning goals faster.
Following these tips can enhance the student’s performance on the English language proficiency assessment. Arriving early, managing test anxiety, and attentively reading instructions are also essential strategies for optimising the test-taking process and achieving the desired score.
(Author is Regional Director – South Asia, Oxford International Education Group)