Comments on: teg http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/ language-related musings - one language is never enough / ét sprog er aldrig nok Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:38:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.1 by: Marie http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-74250 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:47:38 +0000 http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-74250 My Irish class has just got some info through on the TEG and we're considering working towards it for those who are interested. I think it's a worthwhile challenge but definitely requires a lot of commitment. My Irish class has just got some info through on the TEG and we’re considering working towards it for those who are interested. I think it’s a worthwhile challenge but definitely requires a lot of commitment.

]]> by: timoth http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-68239 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 04:33:12 +0000 http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-68239 ... thank you for the information about the teg test. So now, if I ever pass that teg test - I can actually interview some smart person, and show em' my art comic illustrations and short story writings. --- like, well that's nice, some bloke from Oregon State thinks he can produce a better 2D animation of some Irish tale, and make it look just as good... an attainable dream. After all, I know of some Graphic Company, called Monster Graphics that does business in Dublin, Ire... but tends to do commercial ads for the TnaG network. best I can do, is keep uploading more youtube videos, with irish subtitles to it. … thank you for the information about the teg test.

So now, if I ever pass that teg test - I can actually interview some smart person, and show em’ my art comic illustrations and short story writings. — like, well that’s nice, some bloke from Oregon State thinks he can produce a better 2D animation of some Irish tale, and make it look just as good…

an attainable dream. After all, I know of some Graphic Company, called Monster Graphics that does business in Dublin, Ire… but tends to do commercial ads for the TnaG network.

best I can do, is keep uploading more youtube videos, with irish subtitles to it.

]]> by: Geoff http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64902 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:03:07 +0000 http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64902 When I was teaching in grad school, I found oral proficiency interviews based on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) guidelines to give a pretty good idea of how the students would do in real life situations. I've only taken language tests in conjunction with schooling, not for certification. But were I to look for another job in the language industry or start my own business, I would definitely take tests at least for French and Spanish in order to have independent verification of my abilities. While it's true that such tests are only a snapshot, and finer gradations can be iffy, a well constructed test should at least indicate fairly clearly whether a person can communicate well, passably, or just barely, which is useful information to have. When I was teaching in grad school, I found oral proficiency interviews based on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) guidelines to give a pretty good idea of how the students would do in real life situations.

I’ve only taken language tests in conjunction with schooling, not for certification. But were I to look for another job in the language industry or start my own business, I would definitely take tests at least for French and Spanish in order to have independent verification of my abilities.

While it’s true that such tests are only a snapshot, and finer gradations can be iffy, a well constructed test should at least indicate fairly clearly whether a person can communicate well, passably, or just barely, which is useful information to have.

]]> by: Junko http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64351 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:27:39 +0000 http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64351 I want to take a Welsh proficiency test someday if I have a chance, mostly for the fun of it. I want to take a Welsh proficiency test someday if I have a chance, mostly for the fun of it.

]]> by: Alan Coady http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64327 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:43:45 +0000 http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64327 I think that there is a case to be made for people taking such exams in their own language. Progression in many careers can involve an increasing amount of written communication e.g. reports, and ability to communicate coherently is rarely tested. I recall, many years ago, looking at some Cambridge Proficiency material to help some French friends who planned to take the exam. It seemed quite clear to me that many native Brits would not pass this exam without a great deal of preparation. I think that there is a case to be made for people taking such exams in their own language. Progression in many careers can involve an increasing amount of written communication e.g. reports, and ability to communicate coherently is rarely tested.

I recall, many years ago, looking at some Cambridge Proficiency material to help some French friends who planned to take the exam. It seemed quite clear to me that many native Brits would not pass this exam without a great deal of preparation.

]]> by: BG http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64309 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 04:57:15 +0000 http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64309 There are online German placement tests at the <a href="http://www.goethe.de/cgi-bin/einstufungstest/einstufungstest.pl">Goethe-Institut</a> to determine which level (A1 - C2) you should take their course for. I got B2 without any special preparation. I have taken the National German High School Exam (level 2) and National Latin Exam (level 1, I think) and I didn't cram for either. This year I think I will be taking level 3 for German and also an Ancient Greek Exam (the most basic level, I think). I don't know if these are really proficency exams because you get a score for your specific level instead of being assigned a level based on your score. I found the online language proficiency tests on the Transparent Language site (mentioned in this blog Oct 30, 2006) pretty helpful, and I didn't cram or even consider cramming for these tests. Overall, I think if you are really taking an exam to measure your proficiency you shouldn't cram, but if you are taking the exam so you can get a job I can see why you might want to cram. There are online German placement tests at the Goethe-Institut to determine which level (A1 - C2) you should take their course for. I got B2 without any special preparation.

I have taken the National German High School Exam (level 2) and National Latin Exam (level 1, I think) and I didn’t cram for either. This year I think I will be taking level 3 for German and also an Ancient Greek Exam (the most basic level, I think). I don’t know if these are really proficency exams because you get a score for your specific level instead of being assigned a level based on your score. I found the online language proficiency tests on the Transparent Language site (mentioned in this blog Oct 30, 2006) pretty helpful, and I didn’t cram or even consider cramming for these tests.

Overall, I think if you are really taking an exam to measure your proficiency you shouldn’t cram, but if you are taking the exam so you can get a job I can see why you might want to cram.

]]> by: Drod http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64276 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:03:02 +0000 http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64276 I have taken several Goethe German Proficiency tests. They are helpful in evaluating where I am at in the language. (And yes, I usually take them without any preparation the night before.) They can also be used if you are looking for a job. I have taken several Goethe German Proficiency tests. They are helpful in evaluating where I am at in the language. (And yes, I usually take them without any preparation the night before.) They can also be used if you are looking for a job.

]]> by: Colm http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64253 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:44:55 +0000 http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64253 "Such tests provide a snapshot of your language abilities at a particular point in time, and are usually taken after a lot of preparation. ...Tests, qualifications and certificates can provide useful goals, though shouldn’t be seen as the end of your journey. There’s always more to learn." *nods* I agree there. I am considering taking the Certificate of Proficiency in Estonian (Elementary Level) which is an exam designed generally for foreigners so they can get long-term work permits or prepare for citizenship. For me, I just wish to do it to be able to prove to myself and my girlfriend's family that I can and to have something to put on my CV. It's unlikely to make a (big) difference but you never know! :-) It would be nice to have something to show after my year in Estonia. I've have taken some language exams before but they were always in connection with school or university. So this will be a first. “Such tests provide a snapshot of your language abilities at a particular point in time, and are usually taken after a lot of preparation. …Tests, qualifications and certificates can provide useful goals, though shouldn’t be seen as the end of your journey. There’s always more to learn.”

*nods* I agree there.

I am considering taking the Certificate of Proficiency in Estonian (Elementary Level) which is an exam designed generally for foreigners so they can get long-term work permits or prepare for citizenship.

For me, I just wish to do it to be able to prove to myself and my girlfriend’s family that I can and to have something to put on my CV. It’s unlikely to make a (big) difference but you never know! :-) It would be nice to have something to show after my year in Estonia.

I’ve have taken some language exams before but they were always in connection with school or university. So this will be a first.

]]> by: Spanish Translator http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64250 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:08:52 +0000 http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/01/02/teg/#comment-64250 I think that proficiency tests are good as long as they are not the only tool used to measure. There are too many intangible aspects that can't be measured by a test. I think that proficiency tests are good as long as they are not the only tool used to measure. There are too many intangible aspects that can’t be measured by a test.

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