What certificate?
The National Certificate of Language Proficiency is a test system planned for adults. The tasks measure language skills in practical situations, where an adult could be required to speak, listen to, write or read a foreign language - at home or abroad.
What is the national certificate of language proficiency based on?
Started in 1992, the development of the National Certificate of Language Proficiency is a joint project between the National Board of Education and the University of Jyväskylä. Language proficiency is assessed on a six-level scale in line with European models. That is, language proficiency is divided into six skill levels, from the elementary stages up to "complete mastery". The National Certificate of Language Proficiency tests measure skill levels 1-6. Zero stands for failed performance. The test system became operational in November 1994.
Which level should I choose?
Three test levels have been developed because we want each test to be appropriate for the participants and not include tasks that would be far too easy or far too difficult for them in a limited testing time. The results are also more reliable when there are only a few skill levels to distinguish between on each test level. Language is a complex skill, and for its reliable assessment we need tests of different levels of difficulty.
If you intend to take the test you should acquaint yourself with the skill level descriptions and assess approximately what your skill level is. Based on your own assessment of your skill level you should choose which test level suits you best and register for it.
The Basic level test is aimed at skill levels 1 - 2. This test is most suitable for adults who are in the beginning stages of language learning, who may perhaps visit the country where the language is spoken, or who otherwise occasionally come into contact with people who speak the language. Basic level skills can also constitute an ultimate target level for you if you just need the language for everyday purposes.
The Intermediate level test is best suited for skill levels 3 - 4. This is the test for adults who sometimes use the language they are learning both in everyday and in work situations but cannot yet take an active presenter's or expert's role in the foreign language. Their knowledge of the language and their skill in using it is quite good.
The Advanced level test is aimed at skill levels 5 - 6. This test is suited for adults whose language skills match challenging tasks such as representing the worplace in specialist matters. These people can adjust their language according to the demands of the situation, and they understand writing and speech on common topics and in their area of specialization with relative ease. They can also convey the shades and nuances of meaning accurately.
The basic level test is suited for beginning learners, for example for people who have completed the comprehensive school. The intermediate level test is probably the best one for people who have completed the upper secondary school language curriculum or who have in some other way learned to use the language(s) of their choice fairly well. The advanced level test is for people who feel comfortable about using the language(s) of their choice often in various, even demanding, situations.
What is tested in the national certificate of language proficiency?
All the National Certificate of Laguage Proficiency tests consist of five subtests:
- Reading comprehension
- Writing
- Structures and vocabulary
- Listening comprehension, and
- Speaking.
On the basic and intermediate levels each subtest is 20-50 minutes long, so the testing time all in all is about 3 hours. The written parts of the advanced level test are longer, and the test also has a face to face oral part. In all, the advanced level test lasts about five hours. A description of the subtests follows.
The test instructions are given in Finnish or Swedish, on the advanced level the target language may also be used.
The reading comprehension subtest has 3 - 4 texts on different subjects. The answers are written in Finnish, Swedish or the target language. The questions concentrate on the comprehension of the main points and the important details. On the advanced level test one of the tasks is summarising a text.
The writing subtest contains 2 - 3 tasks which require writing different sorts of messages or parts of them according to instructions. Assessment concentrates on how well, naturally and effectively the message is conveyed to the reader.
The subtest on structures and vocabulary contains 4 - 6 tasks which concentrate on knowledge and use of structures and vocabulary appropriate to the test level. The tasks include multiple choice and gap-filling.
The listening comprehension subtest is most often arranged in the language laboratory. There are short extracts of discussions, interviews and radio programmes, on which questions are presented and answered in Finnish, Swedish or the target language.
The speaking subtest usually immediately follows the listening comprehension test and is taken in the language laboratory. On the advanced level test, and in Finnish basic level, there is also a face-to-face test of speaking. Possible task types in the tape-mediated test are e.g. simulated conversation (conversation partner's turns heard on tape), answering questions, completing sentences, reacting in situations and telling about a sequence of events or presenting opinions.
Who are the assessors?
Language teachers from all around Finland have been trained to assess the test performances. For all the test-takers to be in equal position, the assessor cannot be the participant's own teacher or personal acquaintance. The certificates are equally valid irrespective of where the test has been taken. The certificates are mailed to the participants 1 - 2 months after the test.
Where can you take the test?
The National Certificate of Language Proficiency tests are arranged in test centres all around the country. Some universities included, there are over seventy test centers, which take care of the practical arrangements of the tests. In their application forms the test-takers specify in which language, Finnish or Swedish, they want to have the instructions. The test in Finnish is monolingually Finnish.