Language proficiency testing plays an important role across a wide range of sectors. From healthcare, tourism, law, and customer service to international business and trade, as well as government and public service jobs, multilingual talent is becoming increasingly in demand. Where effective communication in multiple languages is critical for achieving organizational goals, providing quality services, and fostering intercultural understanding and cooperation, language proficiency testing can ensure that skills are vetted and that multilingual employees are recognized for the benefits they provide to organizations.
But what is the best way to assess a person’s language skills? In language proficiency testing, accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility are paramount. Some traditional methods, such as in-person proctor-based testing, have struggled to meet the evolving needs of test takers and employers alike. However, the advent of Web-Based Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems has revolutionized language proficiency testing, offering a plethora of benefits that cater to the diverse needs of test takers and employers.
In this article, we’ll explore how web-based IVR systems elevate language proficiency testing, unlocking new possibilities for multilingual students, job applicants, employees, and employers. We’ll also cover some of the reasons you or your employees might benefit from language proficiency testing and how you can get started scheduling an assessment today!
Three Kinds of Language Tests
Let’s begin by taking a quick walk through the history of language proficiency testing. Traditionally, language proficiency testing might have involved scheduling an exam, traveling to an in-person test center, and completing the assessment with a live proctor. In recent years, this method, which is often costly, time-consuming, and inaccessible for people in locations far away from test sites, has largely fallen by the wayside.
When in-person testing became less popular, phone-based language assessments for listening and speaking skills were developed. Phone-based assessments can generally be scheduled more quickly than in-person assessments. A customer calls in to complete their assessment and is thus able to do so from the comfort of their own home.
While useful, using an existing phone service may present accessibility issues for people living outside of the country where the test is offered. International call fees can come with a hefty price tag, and indeed, this may not be an option at all for people whose phone system or plan does not permit international calls.
Web-based Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems have thus become the preferred method for many people seeking to have their language skills assessed. As self-service options, they allow users to complete their assessments online at any time of the day or night, allowing for accurate, efficient, and accessible testing no matter where the test-taker is based.
What is Web-Based IVR?
IVR refers to a virtual speech recognition system. Early IVR services tended to be clunky and stiff. Users were required to speak very clearly with an accent that the IVR system was programmed to recognize. If they didn’t, a robotic voice would often say something along the lines of, “Sorry, I didn’t quite get that. Could you please state your response again?” Overall, the experience could be very frustrating for users, with up to 60% of people reporting they did not enjoy interacting with these clunky services.
With the machine learning revolution, however, interactive voice response systems have made vast improvements. A good IVR system can now recognize a wide variety of accents and respond flexibly to user needs. Some organizations may also use IVR systems in conjunction with human customer service agents to ensure customer needs are met.
At ALTA, for example, we offer web-based interactive voice response testing that is recorded and then scored by a highly trained human evaluator. This gives our clients a level of quality that cannot be matched by fully automated assessments. In addition, ALTA uses a cross-checking process to continually review the results we send out, making sure that our clients receive accurate ratings every time.
IVR solutions are ideal for much more than ensuring a positive customer experience. Let’s explore some of their additional benefits below.
Benefits of IVR Language Proficiency Testing
Accessibility Across Borders
Language proficiency testing is no longer confined by geographical boundaries, thanks to IVR solutions. Learners from different corners of the globe can access language assessments conveniently through their web browsers, making language proficiency testing more inclusive and equitable and allowing individuals from diverse backgrounds to showcase their language skills regardless of their location.
Convenient and Flexible Testing
IVR systems offer unparalleled convenience and flexibility for language learners. With the ability to access assessments anytime, anywhere, learners can schedule tests according to their own pace and preferences. Whether it’s early morning or late at night, learners can engage with language assessments seamlessly, fostering a conducive test-taking environment that accommodates busy schedules and personal commitments.
Personalized Learning Paths
Every learner has unique strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. IVR leverages advanced technologies such as natural language processing and machine learning to personalize learning paths based on individual performance and preferences. By analyzing learner responses and interactions, these systems can tailor subsequent assessments, learning materials, and feedback to address specific areas of improvement, thus maximizing the effectiveness of language learning endeavors.
Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness
For institutions tasked with administering language proficiency tests on a large scale, scalability and cost-effectiveness are critical considerations. Interactive voice response offers a scalable solution that can accommodate varying volumes of test takers without the need for significant infrastructure investments. Additionally, the subscription-based model of IVR systems eliminates the need for costly hardware upgrades and maintenance, making it a cost-effective option for institutions of all sizes.
Data-Driven Insights for Educators
Interactive voice response systems can also provide educators and administrators with valuable data-driven insights into learner performance and behavior. Through comprehensive analytics dashboards, educators can track key metrics, identify trends, and assess the efficacy of language proficiency programs. Armed with these insights, educators can make informed decisions to optimize curriculum design, instructional strategies, and support services, ultimately enhancing the overall learning experience for language learners.
In summary, interactive voice response systems offer a transformative solution for language proficiency testing, empowering test-takers with accessibility, flexibility, and personalized support. With IVR solutions, employers vetting the language skills of their team members can also ensure that language testing is efficient and accurate. By harnessing the power of technology, educators and institutions can revolutionize language learning experiences and pave the way for linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding.
Who is Language Testing For?
There are many reasons an individual or employer may be interested in language proficiency testing. By investing in language learning and testing, individuals can position themselves for success in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. Similarly, by seeking out multilingual talent, businesses can improve their ability to operate effectively in diverse environments or global markets.
In the next section, we’ll deep dive into the ways language proficiency testing can benefit businesses, employees, job seekers, and even students.
Benefits to Employers
Accurate Communication:
Testing ensures that employees possess the necessary language proficiency to effectively communicate with clients, customers, and colleagues who speak different languages. Ensuring a high level of proficiency can prevent misunderstandings, errors, and misinterpretations, thereby enhancing overall communication efficiency and customer satisfaction. This may be especially pertinent for multilingual employees who are required to communicate using industry jargon or technical language.
Adaptability:
In today’s interconnected world, businesses often operate in multicultural settings or serve diverse customer bases. Multilingual employees who undergo language testing demonstrate their adaptability to various linguistic contexts, which can be invaluable in navigating international markets or collaborating with global partners.
Compliance Requirements:
In certain industries or regions, regulatory requirements may mandate language proficiency for specific job roles, particularly those involving safety, healthcare, or legal matters. Testing ensures compliance with such regulations and helps mitigate potential risks associated with language barriers.
Resource Allocation:
By accurately assessing the language skills of employees, organizations can better allocate resources, such as assigning tasks or projects that require specific language abilities to those best qualified to handle them. This optimization of resources can help contribute to overall productivity and efficiency, thus creating savings for organizations in the long term.
Cultural Sensitivity:
Language proficiency is often intertwined with cultural understanding and sensitivity. Testing multilingual employees not only evaluates their language skills but also provides insights into their cultural competence, which is crucial for building rapport, fostering inclusivity, and avoiding cultural misunderstandings in the workplace and when working with multicultural partners or clients.
Benefits for Employees and Job Seekers
Career Development:
For multilingual employees and job seekers, having their language skills formally tested can serve as a validation of their linguistic capabilities. This recognition can open up opportunities for career advancement, including roles that require bilingual or multilingual proficiency, both within the current organization and in the job market at large.
Compensation:
In some industries and organizations, employees may receive additional compensation in recognition of the value their language skills bring. As demand for multilingual workers increases, many companies have instated bilingual pay differential policies to attract multilingual talent. Such pay differentials generally offer eligible employees anywhere from 5 to 20% more than their base pay.
Global Opportunities:
In an interconnected world, proficiency in multiple languages can create opportunities for international employment or remote work with global companies. Language testing enables job seekers, as well as people who are already employed, to demonstrate their readiness to work in multicultural environments and engage with diverse audiences worldwide.
Networking and Collaboration:
Proficiency in multiple languages can facilitate networking and collaboration opportunities with individuals from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. By showcasing their language skills through testing, employees and job seekers can connect with peers, mentors, and professionals across borders, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Benefits to Students
Credential Validation:
Language proficiency tests provide students (and job seekers) with an official credential that validates their language skills. Certifications such as the Seal of Biliteracy can be used as tangible evidence of their abilities, enhancing their credibility and competitiveness in academic and professional settings. These certifications may also be accepted for credits in some colleges and universities.
Educational Opportunities:
Many academic institutions, both domestically and internationally, require applicants to demonstrate proficiency in the language of instruction or communication. By undergoing language testing and obtaining certification, students can fulfill these requirements and gain access to educational opportunities such as study abroad programs, exchange programs, and language-intensive courses.
Employability:
In today’s globalized job market, multilingualism is increasingly valued by employers across various industries. Language testing allows job seekers to showcase their language skills to potential employers, thereby enhancing their employability and competitiveness in job applications.
Personal Development:
Beyond academic and professional benefits, language proficiency testing can also contribute to personal growth and development. Learning and mastering a new language not only expands cognitive abilities but also fosters cultural appreciation, empathy, and intercultural communication skills, enriching individuals’ personal lives and experiences.
Preparation for Global Challenges:
In an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, linguistic and cultural competence is essential for addressing global challenges such as climate change, public health crises, and economic disparities. Language testing prepares students and job seekers to navigate these challenges by equipping them with the communication skills and cultural awareness needed to engage in international cooperation and problem-solving efforts.
Getting Started With a Language Assessment!
If you’re interested in having you or your employees’ language skills assessed, we can help! ALTA offers a web-based IVR solution to give you the flexibility you need. Our IVR is an automated delivery system that is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, from anywhere with an internet connection.
If you’d prefer live assessments, these are also available on a pre-scheduled basis. Most languages can be tested the following business day. No matter which format you choose, you receive the same ALTA quality and results on the next business day.
You can find a list of the dozens of languages in which we offer language testing here.
Janet Barrow holds a B.A. in Written Arts from Bard College and a Master of Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Sydney. She works as a pediatric speech pathologist and freelance writer and is currently finishing her first novel.