Job Discussion Forums

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

I�m asking on behalf of someone else.

A Malaysian friend speaks very good English. However, a potential employer, a German who speaks very little English, requires proof of the Malaysian�s English ability. This is a fair request.

I know about IELTS and the Cambridge exams, etc, which would ordinarily be my first suggestion. In this case, though, something speedier is needed. By the time an IELTS test comes up and the results come back, the job will be long gone.

It can�t be the first time this question has popped up. Does anyone know of a quick and dirty English test?

I don�t rate TOEIC at all, but that�s my first idea.

tudodude · Joined: 08 Mar 2007 Posts: 82

Not really a native then. Otherwise a passport would be my suggestion.

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

Thanks.

Anyone else?

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Is the Malaysian a native speaker, or do they have near-native speaker ability?

An actual native speaker would present a passport, which can be problematic as well! My husband is not a native speaker (Quebecois French) but has a Canadian birth certificate and passport.

Does the Malaysian friend have proof of "x" years in an English education system (ie. degree from English-speaking country).

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

Sorry to sound abrupt because you�re only being helpful, but millions of USA, UK and Australasian passport holders are not native speakers of English, A passport means diddly squat, but as you asked, the passport in question is Malaysian.

The Malaysian did not study in an English-speaking country, although most Malaysians speak English, albeit sort of.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:51 pm Post subject:

Sorry old bean, but your friend sounds like he is out of luck. Quick and dirty does not exist. A proper test or exam will take time - even the speedy IELTS will be about a month from registration to results. TOEIC is a bit ropey (in my opinion at least) but will also take some time to process. Hardly surprising really, is it?

This can't have been the first time your friend had to provide documentation re English abilities - why no certs already?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:10 pm Post subject:

I thought in Malaysia that they took or were awarded GCSE grades in English at least, in addition to whatever Malaysian certificate for the subject. If so, that could provide some sort of evidence of ability.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

How about if the German gets a native English speaker at his location to do a phone interview with your friend?

.

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

Nozka · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 50 Location: "The City of Joy"

Have the German employer contact a local language school or University English department. They may be able to find someone to do a quick assessment.

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

TOEIC it will be.

Tests take place every few weeks; the results are ready a couple of weeks later. Unbeknown to me, TOEIC now also includes a speaking test. Ropey it may be, but IELTS, Cambridge, etc, failed miserably by being painfully slow.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:32 pm Post subject:

If you want reliability and accuracy, you are going to have to wait. Simple as that - whether now or 25 years ago. A churned out quick and dirty result will be... well, just that. So, which procedure is failing miserably?