Page 20 - ELG2005 Jul Issue 471

TESTING TIMES . SPECIAL FEATURE

Unlocking SELTs Safe and secure with LanguageCert

LanguageCert adds SELTs to their stable of online, paper and computer-based exams

n July 1st, the LanguageCert two-skill exam (Speaking & Listening) or
English language tests were four-skill exam (Listening, Reading, Writing &
Matt Salusbury gives us the lowdown on Secure English Language Tests taken in a Secure English Speaking), which are regulated by Ofqual. LANGUAGECERT
OLanguage Test (SELT) centre for The delivery format for Speaking exams is
he test centres for SELTs (Secure the first time. Though well-known, these unique across the global SELT service and
English Language Tests) taken CS LEARNING tests are new to the UK SELT system. As we enables candidates to “interact in real-time
within the UK have been allowed to explain on pages 19-20, these are for with an online live Interlocutor at their
Tre-open in the latest round of candidates who need visas for study and chosen SELT Test Centre.”
coronavirus lockdown ‘easing’. This means immigration, so security is part of their DNA. Needless to say, all test centres are Covid-
that foreign nationals who are already in the LanguageCert is part of the PeopleCert 19 secure and have taken into consideration
UK and need to take a SELT for an upgrade group, which has delivered 5.5 million exams all the locally relevant Health & Safety
to a visa can now go ahead and take their to 50,000 leading companies and 800 government guidelines, such as cleanliness, Michael Milanovic
tests. There’s a list of approved centres, as of government departments, available either strict social distancing practices and
21 May, here. online with monitoring by a live invigilator, maintaining the safety of both applicants and possible while maintaining security and
UK Visas & Immigration warn, however, or as paper/computer-based exams at employees. offering international recognition,” says
that “test centres may be subject to change as approved testing centres. “The whole approach is designed to make Michael Milanovic summing up the
a result of the ongoing coronavirus As we report on page 17, the use of online taking our exams as accessible and friendly as LanguageCert philosophy.
pandemic.” So, the list of 38 centres in the invigilating, or proctoring, is of increasing
UK is only a list of those allowed to operate, importance to university admissions officers
they haven’t necessarily all re-opened yet. desperately trying to verify test results from
Those taking a SELT in the UK can CS Learning’s Trinity SELT test centre in Leeds is one of many that has re-opened overseas candidates stuck at home during
choose from four approved SELTs test lockdown. But they also offer an additional
providers. Each provider runs their own test London, IELTS Consortium, LanguageCert are adopting very different regimes. The UK product for language schools struggling to
centres and offers exams covering all CEFR and Pearson Education. Visas & Immigration list contains 50 pages find their feet in their new online world.
levels, from A1 to C2. For SELTs test centres outside the UK, re- listing SELTs test centres worldwide, but those
As of March this year, the approved opening dates depend on which country they wanting to take an exam should check to make
providers for the UK are: Trinity College, are located in, as different national governments sure they are actually open. Our research has
shown that candidates
really value being able
to take an exam at a
time and place that
suits them.
Exams from the comfort of your students’ home
And students like them too, according to Dr
Michael Milanovic, Chairman of LanguageCert LanguageCert Online Exams
and a member of its Advisory Council.
“Our research has shown that candidates
really value being able to take an exam at a with remote, live invigilation
time and place that suits them,” he explains.
The security checks described by Dr
Milanovic are also impressive.
“Candidates are identified by an online
invigilator through a secure ID process and An online testing solution that allows your students
are monitored unobtrusively throughout. All to take their LanguageCert International ESOL exams
candidates install ExamShield, our award- securely, in a quiet room at their preferred location and time!
winning security software, that locks down
FREE their device and ensures that strict security is
in place throughout.
“Once connected to one of our online,
carefully trained invigilators, further ID Express your interest at:
checks take place and candidates are asked languagecert.org/here4u
Digital Subscription to perform a 360-degree webcam rotation of Learn more about LanguageCert Online exams here:
the room they are in to ensure no
inappropriate material is present.”
Online tests may be as safe as Fort Knox but languagecert.org/Partners/Online-proctored-exams
they do not qualify as a SELT. Under UK visa
Go to www.elgaze琀e.com/subscribe rules, all tests must be taken at a government-
approved test centre. LanguageCert’s SELT
and register for your free online subscrip琀on exams are offered through Prometric’s Test
Centre network. But the ‘live’ interactions are
still part of the ELT experience for both the

20 July 2020 editorial@elgazette.com 21