The purpose of assessment, surveying, measurement and testing is to reveal the needs of our customers, which makes it possible to tailor the training methodically and to target it appropriately.

Common Targets

1. Evaluating ability to operate in a foreign language environment:
• "What tasks and duties are they able to perform in this language?"
• "How reliably are they able to perform a specific task?"
2. Determining language training needs:
• "What language competencies do they need to perform specific tasks and duties?"
• "What are their individual strengths and weaknesses?"
• "Which areas should the training focus on to effectively help them perform specific tasks and duties?"
3. Assessing language training results:
• "What have they learned?"

Range of Tools

1. standard tests (online, paper-format, oral)
• pre-training diagnostic testing
• determination of training needs
2. tailored tests (online, paper-format, oral)
• recruitment testing
• determination of training needs
• in training contexts, facilitating design of tailored content
• in training contexts, enabling goal-based assessment of training results
3. trainer evaluation
• typically end-course assessment
4. self-assessment
• typically to complement tests or trainer evaluation

Typical Application Areas

• recruitment
• determination of training needs
• design and development of training content and materials
• design and development of training programs
• evaluation of training results

How do I assess my language skill level?