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Ielts essay # 1111 - reason for learning a foreign language, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, some people say that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country. others say that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language., discuss both these views and give your own opinion..

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Foreign Language IELTS Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Samples

• Updated On December 14, 2023
• Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

Writing Task 2 of the IELTS exam has displayed a large variety of questions over the years. However, there are still some general themes and topics that are often repeated in Task 2 of this English proficiency test. One of these recurring themes is the new language or the foreign language theme.

Table of Contents

In this theme, you can be asked to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of learning a different language belonging to any of the foreign countries. Additionally, you can also be asked to express your own opinion on the topic. This blog shares detailed information about Foreign Language IELTS Essay. Before we get deeper into the topic and start discussing model answers, let’s walk through some general tips that can help you in leaving a good impression on the examiner about your English language skills in task 2.

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Tips to Ace the Foreign Language Essay Writing Task 2 IELTS

Although you can find an endless number of relevant examples for the essay writing task in IELTS, there really is no fixed format that can guarantee you a good band score in the writing section. So, what really works in helping you get a good score in task 2?

• A strong introduction and conclusion that are in coherence with the topic assigned: This will immediately get your examiner hooked onto the paragraphs written inside your piece and will leave a great impression on them!
• Use of refined vocabulary along with excellent use of grammar: Making use of good (and sometimes complex) vocabulary accompanied by an accurate usage of the English grammar is a pre-requisite for getting a good score in writing. It shows the examiner that your own knowledge of the language is vast.
• Providing relevant examples from different parts of the world: Many aspirants miss out on supporting their arguments along with good examples from either their own country or a different country. This leads to them losing out on marks in task 2.

Following these three tips will really catapult your writing task 2 score, which will have a greater impact on your overall band score for the writing section. To make the application of these tips more clear, let’s take a look at some of the sample answers for the foreign language theme.

Foreign Language IELTS Essay Samples

Question – Some people believe that the only reason for learning a new/foreign language is for travelling or working in a foreign land. While others argue that there are many more reasons as why someone should learn a new language apart from their native language. You have to discuss both these arguments and give your own opinion on the following topic. Make sure to give reasons for your answers and provide examples. Minimum word limit – 250 words

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Sample Answer 1

Learning a second language or a foreign language is linked to many advantages that far surpass the sole reasons of learning a new language for travelling or working in a foreign land. However, for the sake of playing the devil’s advocate, I’ll say that some people belonging to a different school of thought consider better job opportunities and travelling to be the only motive behind learning a foreign language. I am of the opinion that there are other reasons like learning about a foreign culture, and the bright prospect of cognitive development that propel many monolingual people to study a new language. With ever-increasing globalization and the opening up of international barriers, more and more people choose to emigrate to new and foreign lands in the hope of better job prospects. This often requires them to learn a new tongue. For instance, many people prefer learning languages like English, Spanish, and French, rather than the Russian language because countries speaking the former tongues have shown more affinity towards emigrants and provide a multitude of better job opportunities. This makes many people believe that jobs and sometimes travel are the only driving forces for learning a new tongue, especially for a young learner. On the other hand, some people including myself have researched the pros and cons of learning a foreign language thoroughly and have found that the pros far outweigh the drawbacks. The onset of memory ailments like dementia can be slowed down by cognitive development that comes with learning a foreign language. Furthermore, multilingual people are more confident and can easily acclimate themselves to new and alien surroundings by the virtue of their communication skills that have been expanded and upscaled. They find it easy to overcome language barriers and truly become global citizens speaking the global language. In conclusion, to go through the tough process of honing effective communication skills in a third language or a second language, people realise that it is not just for the sake of travel or work that they are doing this process. Instead, it stems from a deeper love for the language and the confidence that speaking a new tongue instills in them. Question – When living in a foreign country where you have to speak a new language, you can face serious social and practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons and examples in your answer and write at least 250 words.

Also Read: SAT Writing & Language Test 2022

Sample Answer 2

Language barriers arguably form the backbone of the biggest social and practical problems that people living in a foreign land have to face and overcome often. In my personal opinion, it can also spark serious problems in various countries, however, the widespread use of technology in curbing these issues to a certain extent over the past few decades. People belonging to different cultures can have issues in understanding each other because of speaking different languages and sometimes even because of different ways of pronunciation of the same words. Migration is not on the rise in the twenty-first century and people often move to distant lands in hopes of jobs, travel, and sometimes studying. In such a scenario not speaking the land’s language can become a basis for social problems like discrimination, racism, etc. Interestingly enough, technology has played a pivotal role in curbing the extent of practical problems faced by people when moving to a new land without being savvy with the foreign language. For instance, there are many web-based applications that do the translation job for people and save them the trouble of having to explain their point to the natives merely through vague hand gestures.

By way of conclusion, I stand firm on the point that social problems can far exceed practical problems when migrating to a foreign land without being fluent in the foreign language and perhaps, some language learning could really help in becoming a part of the foreign culture quicker and better. Although, as far as practical problems are concerned, technology is a boon that is eliminating most of them.

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1. how do i practice the ielts writing at home.

Ans: The best way to  practice  writing for IELTS is by looking at sample answers and practising as many themes as you can. You can also show this to a tutor or an online learning platform’s mentors like the ones at  Leap Scholar  to ensure that you are on the right path.

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Language Essay Titles

IELTS Essay Questions for the Topic of Language. All essay questions below are reported by IELTS candidates and seem to have been repeated over the years. Regardless of the years the questions were reported, you could get any question below in your test. You should, therefore, prepare ideas for all questions given below. The topics below could appear in both GT and Academic IELTS Writing Task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Language Essay Questions

As computers translate quickly and accurately, learning foreign languages is a waste of time? To what extend do you agree or disagree. (2017, 2020, 2023)

Scientists predict that all people will choose to talk the same global language in the future. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? (appears most years in the test)

Some schools are no longer teaching children how to write with a pen. Do you think children should learn handwriting skills? (2024)

Some people think that a person can never understand the culture of a country unless they speak the language. Do you agree with this opinion?

Some people think that you can never become fluent in a language unless you have spent time living or working in that country. To what extent do you agree?

Some people think that all children in school should learn a foreign language at an early age. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this? (2020, 2023)

Reported essay questions are from students who have taken their IELTS test. That means questions may have appeared more frequently than have been reported. These questions may vary slightly in wording and focus from the original question. Also note that these questions could also appear in IELTS speaking part 3 which is another good reason to prepare all topics thoroughly.

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Essay#47 | Learning a Foreign Language

How to write an advantages and disadvantages essay.

Very often in the IELTS exam, you will have to write an essay called an ‘advantages and disadvantages’ essay. This is where you have to write about the good and bad points of a common situation.

Here is a typical question:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of leaving your country to live or study abroad?

• write an introduction to the topic
• think of two advantages to the situation and provide clear examples
• think of two disadvantages and write about these with good support
• write a short conclusion giving your overall opinion

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of three of the following ways of learning a foreign language.

State which you consider to be the most effective.

• studying on your own
• taking lessons with a private tutor
• taking lessons as part of a class
• taking lessons online
• going to live in a country where the language is spoken

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer.

The question of how to learn a foreign language has become increasingly important in recent years as business has become more international. Although there are a number of effective ways, l am convinced that living in a country where that language is spoken is the most efficient way of learning.

Traditionally, people have learned languages as part of a large group in a classroom. This has the advantage of providing many opportunities to practise what you learn with a number of different people. In addition, the fees for this form of education are usually reasonable, since a large number of people are taught at once. However, the size of the group means that more demands are placed on the teacher’s time. Students may not get the individual attention they require to improve.

The amount of individual attention you receive is certainly an advantage of working with a private tutor. Also, the student can work at a pace which is comfortable for them. On the other hand, working with a private tutor can lack the social element, which is crucial in learning to communicate well in a foreign language. It can also prove to be beyond the means of many people.

By far the most natural way to acquire a language is to go where it is spoken. Not only is every social interaction a chance to practise, but you are also exposed to the real, living language. As well as that, you are able to acquire a natural accent by imitating the people around you. This is not to say, of course, that there are not drawbacks. Many people suffer from culture shock away from home, and it can be very difficult to integrate into a foreign culture.

In conclusion, I would argue that the advantages of going to another country to learn far outweigh the disadvantages, making it the best option.

(312 words)

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Learning a Foreign Language is Difficult IELTS Essay

Many people believe that learning a foreign language is a very difficult task. What are the most difficult things about learning a foreign language? What is the best way to overcome them? Explain and include your personal experience or knowledge of these problems.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.

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Real IELTS Exam Question, Reported On:

Learning a Foreign Language is Difficult IELTS Essay – Sample Answer 1

It is argued that to become competent in other nation’s language is a quite difficult job. This essay will suggest that finding a partner for practice is the main difficulty that people face and the best way to overcome this is by joining a group of people who are learning a particular language.

The primary problem that people have to tackle while they start learning a foreign language is a lack of practice. This is because there are very few people around their vicinity who have a keen interest to become proficient in another language. Without practice, they will not have enough command on the language which they are learning. For example, a recent survey by Cambridge University found that 55% of people admitted that they were not able to practice newly learned language because they did not found anyone to practice.

The best solution to this problem is to join a group where people are already practising the same language which they intend to learn. The members of the group share their experiences of about how they are able to master a new language and the group discussions in a community enable them to have enough practice. This will make people fluent in the language. To illustrate, I was struggling a lot in learning English and my friend suggested me to join a local English learners group which I did. After a few weeks, I saw a drastic improvement in my language ability.

In conclusion, the main issue that people face while mastering a foreign language is a lack of sessions for practice. The best way to solve this is on joining a group of language learning enthusiasts.

Foreign Language IELTS Essay – Sample Essay 2

It is true that acquiring new language skills is by no means an easy task. Language learners might encounter several challenges such as unfamiliar accents or grammar structures in the learning process of a foreign language. However, in my opinion, such difficulties can be tackled by a well-rounded education system.

When it comes to languages, it is undeniably crucial to get used to a native accent and intonation for effective communication. However, picking up an accurate accent can be enormously difficult, especially for adult learners because of their lack of language learning ability. If a language learner has an unrecognisable accent and intonation, they would not be understood by native speakers. On top of that, each language has different grammar and typical grammatical sequencing of words. For example, Korean sentences always end with verbs whilst English does not, which means that a Korean English-learner should consider about the correct order of words.

Despite the aforementioned difficulties, I strongly believe that everyone can master a foreign language when a couple of feasible steps are taken. Firstly, it is more important than anything to start learning a new language at a young age. By incorporating foreign language programmes in the primary school curriculum, children can easily be exposed to languages of the world and eventually acquire language skills without difficulties. Secondly, the government can financially subsidise schools to run student exchange programmes that help adolescents to get experiences abroad and make friends overseas while improving their foreign language in a delight way.

In conclusion, I believe that individuals can have difficulties in learning a new language because of different accents and unfamiliar grammar, however, these problems can be overcome by a good quality of education system subsidised by governments.

IELTS Essay Problem and Solution Foreign Language – Sample Essay 3

Learning a new language is indeed a herculean task for many especially when it comes to adults. This essay will explore the factors which make learning a new language challenging and will also suggest some potent solutions to deal with the same.

To begin with, grown-ups particularly find it difficult to learn foreign vernaculars because as they grow, their brains lose that flexibility to adapt to any language and become hard-wired to specific languages that they speak or know since childhood. Moreover, the level of intelligence in an individual also matters as some people are blessed with superior cognition and hence are better equipped for learning an alien language. Also learning coherence and cohesion is the hardest part as one can learn vocabulary and rules of a language but putting them in order to make a grammatically correct sentence comes with a lot of struggle and practice. People also tend to apply their native tongue’s grammar and characteristics to make sense of an identically structured foreign language. Research conducted by Mark Pagel, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Reading in the U.S.A. states that the brain affects one’s thoughts and perceptions and it alters the way one thinks, hence our mother tongue tends to dominate our neural system which makes adhering to other languages an ambitious task.

To cope with this, firstly, although people may feel silly when they make mistakes while learning and practising a language, they must not feel bad about it or pretend to be perfect as everyone learns by making mistakes. An excellent approach is to uptake some other activity or skill and take instructions in the language to be learnt. For instance, in California ‘apprentice’ programmes are run in which apprentices pair up with the speakers of native American tongue to learn a traditional skill such as basket weaving, with instructions exclusively in the native language. After a certain time, learners become well-versed with that language. Furthermore, aspirants must also naturally try to get used to listening and understanding the language by watching foreign movies with descriptions in the form of subtitles in a known language through applications like Netflix as by doing so they come across various slangs, range of vocabulary and grammatical structures of sentences. It is an interesting way to grasp a language.

In summary, one needs to be motivated enough to get used to and memorize foreign languages. The advent of social media has eased this process as folks can converse with the native speakers and gain a lot of knowledge by making friends with them. Travelling overseas can also be of great help for becoming familiar with the international language.

Also Check :  Individual Greed and Selfishness IELTS Essay

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IELTS essay, topic: What are the difficulties of learning a foreign language, and how to overcome them?

• IELTS Essays - Band 8

Many people believe that learning a foreign language is a very difficult task. What are the most difficult things about learning a foreign language? What is the best way to overcome them? Explain and include your personal experience or knowledge of these problems.

It is true that acquiring new language skills is by no means an easy task. Language learners might encounter several challenges such as unfamiliar accents or grammar structures a foreign language. However, in my opinion, such difficulties can be tackled by a well-rounded education system.

When it comes to languages, it is undeniably crucial to get used to a native accent and intonation for effective communication. However, picking up an accurate accent can be enormously difficult, especially for adult learners because of their lack of language learning ability. If a language learner has an unrecognisable accent and intonation, they would not be understood by native speakers. On top of that, each language has different grammar and typical grammatical sequencing of words. For example, Korean sentences always end with verbs whilst English not, which means that a Korean English-learner should the correct order of words.

Despite the aforementioned difficulties, I strongly believe that everyone can master a foreign language when a couple of feasible steps are taken. Firstly, it is more important than anything to start learning a new language at a young age. By incorporating foreign language programmes in the primary school curriculum, children can easily be exposed to languages of the world and eventually acquire language skills without difficulties. Secondly, the government can financially subsidise schools to run student exchange programmes that help adolescents to get experiences abroad and make friends overseas while improving their foreign language in a way.

In conclusion, I believe that individuals can have difficulties in learning a new language because of different accents and unfamiliar grammar, however, these problems can be overcome by a good quality of education system subsidised by governments.

The writer covered the task by talking about some difficult aspects of learning a new language and steps to overcome them. The ideas are presented in an orderly way, their logical sequencing and the use of paragraphing make this essay easy to follow. Skillful use of linking words and expressions helps the writer maintain coherence and cohesion. Word choice needs some more attention in this essay (see suggested corrections for expressions underlined in blue), however, overall this essay seems to be worthy of IELTS Band 8.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8

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2 thoughts on “IELTS essay, topic: What are the difficulties of learning a foreign language, and how to overcome them?”

yoo, writer didn’t cover the topic entirely, cuz he didn’t add his own experience

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Essay 286 – The potential benefits of foreign language study

Gt writing task 2 / essay sample # 286.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In some educational systems, children are required to study one or more foreign languages. In others, foreign language study is not a requirement.

What are the potential benefits of foreign language study? Do you think foreign language study is an important part of education?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1:

Many education systems offer one or more foreign languages, while some do not integrate them into their curriculum. Personally, I assert that learning a second language is a vital part of education because of the advantages it brings.

Foreign language study reaps many advantages of bilingualism. For a start, a second language improves children’s skills on SAT and GRE. One recent study has revealed that SAT-verbal scores increase with the duration of time pupils have studied the second language. Besides, a second language study provides a competitive advantage in career choices as it enhances employability. That is to say that, language education is crucial for the workforce of the future and being bilingual or multilingual can open up a horizon of job opportunities. An increasing number of companies than ever are operating businesses in several regions across the world, but they cannot do it without recruiting employees who can speak at least one foreign language.

In my opinion, foreign language study is an essential part of education in this conflict-stricken world. The reason is that it promotes empathy. Put simply, children in a multilingual atmosphere gain social experiences that offer routine practice in considering the different paradigms of thought, thereby helping them to become broad-minded, sensible, and tolerant individuals. In fact, if people are aware of the fact that human beings are all cultural products of their own environment and can recognize the cultural foundation for their own behaviour and attitudes, they are more likely to accept others in a more favourable light. Consequently, it will avert conflicts between nations. This is why foreign language study proves to be a core part of education.

It seems logical to conclude that foreign language study is a crucial part of an education system. Therefore, every school should create a conducive environment for learning at least one foreign language.

Model Answer 2:

The requirement of studying foreign languages in educational systems has been a subject of debate. While some educational institutes have made foreign language study mandatory for their students, others do not have this requirement. This essay will explore the potential advantages of learning foreign languages and present arguments supporting the view that foreign language study is indeed an important part of education.

One of the significant benefits of learning foreign languages is the development of cognitive abilities. Research has shown that studying a foreign language enhances critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and overall mental agility. Learning a new language requires understanding grammar rules, memorising vocabulary, and practising communication, which, according to different research, stimulate brain activity and improve cognitive functions.

Another advantage is the cultural enrichment that comes with foreign language study. Language is deeply intertwined with culture, and by learning a foreign language, students gain insights into the customs, traditions, and values of different societies. This promotes intercultural understanding, fosters empathy, and cultivates a global perspective, for example, which are essential in today’s interconnected world.

Foreign language study is an important part of education for several reasons. Firstly, it enhances communication skills. In a globalised society, being able to communicate in multiple languages opens up doors to diverse career opportunities and facilitates meaningful cross-cultural interactions. Proficiency in foreign languages enables individuals to engage with people from different backgrounds, build relationships, and bridge cultural gaps. Moreover, foreign language study promotes academic achievement. Research indicates that students who study foreign languages often perform better in other subjects, including mathematics, reading, and problem-solving.

In conclusion, foreign language study offers numerous potential benefits, including cognitive development, cultural enrichment, improved communication skills, and enhanced academic achievement. Considering the interconnected nature of the world and the growing importance of cultural competence, it is clear that foreign language study is an essential component of education.

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• Band 9 IELTS Essays

Band 9 essay sample: Is learning another foreign language before English a waste of time?

by Manjusha Nambiar · Published September 8, 2015 · Updated April 21, 2024

Sample essay

English is the most widely spoken language in the world. In fact, the number of people who learn and speak English as a second language is greater than the number of people whose first language is English. Other international languages like Spanish, French, Mandarin and Hindi are also taught in many parts of the world. However, in my opinion, learning another foreign language before English is not worth our time or effort.

There are several benefits to learning English. People all over the world understand English. If you know English, you can travel to any country in the world. The huge popularity of the internet has also made learning English a necessity. Most information available on the internet is in English. A person who understands English can access the whole of this information.

Over the years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people who travel or study abroad. English is the language they use to communicate with others. Students who can speak and write English have better job opportunities than those who do not understand English. All of these make learning English imperative.

A language is the reflection of a culture. When we learn a foreign language, we get to know that culture. That probably explains why other international languages are also taught in schools and colleges. However, I see absolutely no justification for learning Spanish or German instead of English. Although these are all well-developed languages spoken by millions of people, they are much less influential than English.

In conclusion, it is evident that learning English is more beneficial than learning another foreign language. In my opinion, if a student plans to learn only one foreign language, then it has to be English.

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Hi, I'm Manjusha. This is my blog where I give IELTS preparation tips.

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Opinion essay: learning a foreign language

Many people believe children should begin learning a foreign language as soon as they start school., to what extent do you agree or disagree.

Many advocate that children should begin learning a foreign language as soon as they start school. I totally agree with this because an early start leads to higher levels of proficiency and, children seldom feel the same level of humility that adults feel when learning a language.

Most importantly, if one wants to see a better outcome, one must start sooner. So, the earlier children begin to learn a new language the better the result will be. For example, in Taiwan children who started learning English at bi-lingual kindergartens are able to speak English very competently by the time they become teenagers. Therefore, an early start seems to yield positive results.

Second of all, young children are less afraid than older people to make mistakes when they are speaking a new language. Fear of humiliation of making a mistake is a huge barrier for older people in their efforts to speak freely. Children are less afraid of making grammatical mistakes because they are more likely to be at the same level as their peers and they feel learning a new language is a fun experience and mistakes are humorous .

In conclusion, I think that it is essential for children to begin learning a foreign language at an early age because the end result will be better, and their efforts to learn English will not be hampered by fear of failure. Therefore, I recommend that people in non-English speaking countries try their hardest to send their children to attend English classes as soon as possible.

[254 words]

Language: advocate = support humility = shame bi-lingual kindergartens =  kindergartens where students learn two languages yield = return or result barrier = obstacle or blockage humorous = funny

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About Mike I’m Mike Wattie from Australia. I have been teaching IELTS for over 20 years in Asia and Australia.

I have written IELTS books and this enables me to be an effective tutor. This is because I understand the main problems that students have taking the test and also the ways to overcome them.

Maybe you would like me to teach you the necessary skills and strategies to pass your test.

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Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problem,as well as practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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Support ideas with relevant, specific examples

Examples make your writing easier to understand by illustrating points more effectively.

Examples, if used properly, not only help you get higher marks for ‘Task Response’ but also for ‘Coherence’.

When giving examples it is best to put them after your main idea or topic sentence. They can be used in the middle of supporting sentences or they can be used to start a new sentence. There is no rule for where exactly to give examples in essays, logically they would come after your main idea/topic sentence or just after a supporting sentence.

Linking words for giving examples:

• for example
• for instance
• to illustrate this
• to give a clear example
• to illustrate
• take, for example

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ » — a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

• linguistic proficiency
• cross-cultural communication
• miscommunication
• social integration
• linguistic alienation
• cultural dissonance
• language acquisition
• communication breakdown
• interpreter services
• language courses
• bilingualism
• multilingualism
• language barrier
• effective communication
• cultural assimilation
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Do you allow a free time for a employee. writing a e-mail for a employee

In some countries young people have little leisure time and are under a lot of pressure to work hard in studies. what are the causes and the solution, many manufactured food and drink products contain high level of sugar, which causes many health problems. sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar. do you agree or disagree, some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. others argue that it is better to try and improve such situations, discuss both views and give your own opinion., nowadays many people complain that they have difficulties getting enough sleep. what problems can lack of sleep cause what can be done about lack of sleep.

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12 Language Proficiency Tests Worth Taking

Language proficiency tests have undeniable benefits that will serve you well in your language learning journey.

Indeed, these tests can open doors of opportunities for you—provided you’re able to prepare for and pass them, of course.

Let’s dive into the most common language proficiency tests that cover various linguistic skills. And if you need extra motivation for those upcoming exams, make sure you read until the end!

1. TOEFL (English)

2. ielts (english), 3. toeic (english), 4. cambridge english tests (english), 5. tcf (french), 6. dele (spanish), 7. testdaf (german), 8. telc (german), 9. plida (italian), 10. hsk (chinese), 11. jlpt (japanese), 12. celpe-bras (brazilian portuguese), websites to test your language skills, why take language proficiency tests, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

What it is: TOEFL stands for “Test of English as a Foreign Language.”

Why take it: If you want to enroll in a school in an English-speaking country like the United States, Australia, Canada or the United Kingdom, and you come from a country where English is not the first language, passing the TOEFL proves that you can handle English as the language medium for the coursework.

What the test includes: The TOEFL tests your reading , listening , speaking and writing skills. Each skill has its own section, so expect to go through four sections in all. There are specific elements in the TOEFL designed to assess each of these skills in different ways.

For example, in the Reading Comprehension section, you may be asked to read three to four academic passages and answer a few questions afterward. In the Independent and Integrated Writing sections, you’ll be asked to write an essay or opinion piece on a given topic, and you’ll also need to make a structured argument about something said within a given passage.

How to register for the test: You can register for the test here . Choose “I am a test taker,” then “TOEFL iBT” for a more comprehensive exam.

Validity period: TOEFL results are valid for two years. You can ask the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the exam’s administrator, to independently send your results to the schools and universities you’ve applied to.

What it is: IELTS stands for “International English Language Testing System.”

Why take it: It’s jointly managed by the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge English Language Assessment—all of which are internationally recognized names in English language education.

What the test includes: You can take one of two IELTS exams. The “Academic” one is geared toward students applying for advanced studies and postgraduate degrees. Meanwhile, the “General Training” is for migrants who wish to demonstrate their English competence as part of their visa or employment application.

Both will test you on all four English communication skills: reading (60 minutes), writing (60 minutes), listening (30 minutes) and speaking (11-14 minutes). The whole test should be finished in two hours and 45 minutes.

How to register for the test: Follow the instructions here .

Validity period: Your IELTS test scores will be valid for two years.

What it is: The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) was developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to measure business English proficiency.

Why take it: According to ETS, the test is recognized by 14,000 organizations in 160 countries. In other words, if you want to get a job in an English-speaking country, an excellent TOEIC score can give you an edge over your competition. 

What the test includes: You have three options for the TOEIC test: (1) the Listening and Reading Test, which is exactly what it sounds like (with the caveat that it’s for those who are already at the intermediate/advanced stage of their English language learning); (2) the Speaking and Writing Test, which is also what it says on the tin and is geared toward intermediate/advanced learners and (3) the Bridge Test, which covers all four of the skills mentioned above and is at the beginner to intermediate level. 

How to register for the test: To register for the test, click here . Make sure you carefully read the PDF files in the registration link to help you better prepare for the test.

Validity period: Like the last two tests above, this one has a two-year validity period.

What it is: The Cambridge English Tests are administered by the Cambridge University Press & Assessment. They are one of the organizations that conduct the IELTS.

Why take it: The Cambridge University Press & Assessment helped to develop the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in the English language. That means their tests follow the standards laid out by an officially recognized language organization in Europe.

What the test includes: Since the Cambridge English Tests follow the CEFR, they have at least one exam for each of the language levels from the lowest to the highest—A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2, respectively.

If you want to test your business English skills specifically, they have the following exams based on your level: (1) B1 Business Preliminary; (2) B2 Business Vantage and (3) C1 Business Higher. 

How to register for the test: To register for the Cambridge English Tests, you need to find an authorized exam center near you, then book with them. Here’s a page with more info on the topic.

Validity period: Unless you took the IELTS, Cambridge English exam results generally don’t have an expiry date .

What it is: TCF stands for Test de Connaissance du Français (literally “French Knowledge Test”). It’s designed for non-native French speakers who want to prove their mettle in the language for any reason—whether it’s personal, academic or professional.

Why take it: Not only does it have an accreditation from the French Ministry of Education, but the TCF also follows the standards set forth in the CEFR.

What the test includes: The TCF is a 76-item, multiple-choice test further divided into three compulsory exams: reading comprehension (29 items), listening comprehension (also 29 items) and grammar (18 items).

In addition to the above, you can take two optional exams—one written and one oral .

How to register for the test: To register for the TCF, fill out this registration form , submit a photo that follows these requirements and e-mail your application to [email protected].

Validity period: TCF exam results are valid for two years.

What it is: Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera ( DELE ) are tests administered by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

Why take it: DELE adheres to the standards set forth by the CEFR.

What the test includes: The DELE is designed to gauge your Spanish reading comprehension and grammar across all of the CEFR levels from A1 (beginner) to C2 (upper advanced). 

How to register for the test: You can usually register online or via the closest examination center. Visit the website of your nearest Instituto Cervantes and look up the current year’s registration details.

Validity period: DELE results don’t have an expiry date, since you’re basically getting a diploma.

What it is: The TestDaF is for examinees at the B2 to C1 language proficiency level for German.

Why take it: If you’re aiming to enroll in an institution of higher education in Deutschland , passing this exam can prove that you’re able to handle both the linguistic and academic requirements of German universities .

What the test includes: Although the Goethe-Institut website says you don’t need “specialist knowledge” to pass the exam, you should at least be able to comprehend most academic materials in German.

How to register for the test: Register for the exam here . Make sure you double-check the icons under the heading “Format” to see if you’re taking an online or paper exam.

Validity period: TestDaF exam results don’t have an expiration date.

What it is: This test is designed to evaluate your German aptitude according to CEFR standards. It’s administered by the European Language Certificates (TELC) Deutsch , in partnership with the German federal government.

Why take it: Compared to TestDaF, this test is much more comprehensive. You can take the version of the exam that suits your specific language level from A1 to C2.

What the test includes: Like the other tests listed so far, this one covers reading and listening comprehension, as well as writing and speaking skills. 

Unlike other speaking exams where you’ll be tested individually, this one requires you to pair up with one other examinee. In this case, the examiner will take the role of facilitator and mediate the conversation .

How to register for the test: Find the closest TELC examination center and ask how you can take the German TELC exam with them.

Validity period: Because these exams are taken on a per-level basis, their validity periods don’t expire.

What it is: PLIDA ( Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri or “Dante Alighieri Society Diplomas”) is named after the institution administering it: the Dante Alighieri Society. The Dante Alighieri Society is to Italian what Instituto Cervantes is to Spanish and Goethe-Institut is to German: an institution that aims to promote a specific language around the world.

Why take it: Because PLIDA is officially recognized by the Italian government, you can use it to prove that you’re proficient enough in the language to study, live in and even become a citizen of Italy.

What the test includes: Like many of the tests on this list, PLIDA covers CEFR levels A1 to C2.

How to register for the test: Search for the PLIDA examination center closest to you and contact them regarding specific registration details.

Validity period: Generally, the PLIDA certification doesn’t expire. But if you’re taking it for a very specific purpose (like working in an Italian company), you should double-check whether having taken the exam, say, 10 years ago is still valid proof of your current proficiency in the language. 

What it is: To date, the Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì (HSK) administered by Hanban (an agency of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China) is the only official standardized test for Mandarin Chinese.

Why take it: As I’ve mentioned, it’s literally the only standardized test to prove your mastery of 中文, so you don’t have a choice.

What the test includes: The test covers six proficiency levels from HSK1 to HSK6. Here’s a more comprehensive guide on what you can expect from the test.

It’s worth noting that the oral portion can be taken separately. For this separate speaking section , there are just three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.

How to register for the test: Click on the level you want to take here and follow the instructions.

Validity period: The HSK certificate has a lifetime validity.

What it is: The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is administered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

Why take it: It’s probably the most well-known Japanese language proficiency test in the world. If you apply for any employer that requires you to have a handle on the Japanese language, chances are your results from this exam are what they’ll be looking at.

What the test includes: The test covers five levels from N5 (the lowest proficiency level) to N1 (near-native or native level proficiency).

The JLPT has reading and listening formats comparable to the other language tests featured here, testing your knowledge of different grammatical structures and characters . Strangely enough, it doesn’t have a writing or speaking section—though you should definitely pay attention to these if you’re serious about becoming fluent in Japanese.

How to register for the test: If you’re taking the JLPT in Japan, you have to create a MyJLPT account and follow the instructions here . Otherwise, you should visit your friendly local JLPT testing center and confirm the specific registration requirements with them.

Validity period: The JLPT certification itself doesn’t expire, though the company you work for may set limits on how long you can hold on to it before you have to take the test again.

What it is: Similar to the HSK, the Celpe-Bras is the only official proficiency test in Brazilian Portuguese. (By “official,” I mean it’s sanctioned by the Brazilian government.)

Why take it: If you plan to work or live in Brazil, having a Celpe-Bras certification won’t hurt.

What the test includes: The exam has two main components: an oral section and a written section.

The written section is rather grueling: you have to go through all four tasks in three hours without a break.

On the other hand, the oral section only lasts for about 20 minutes. Five of those minutes will be spent in a recorded face-to-face conversation with an examiner, while the remaining 15 will involve reading three texts and answering oral questions based on those texts.

How to register for the test: Register for the exam here . Make sure to check if there’s an open testing center near you here .

Validity period: The Celpe-Bras certification is valid for life. Like the JLPT, however, the company you’re applying for might impose restrictions on how long ago the test should have been taken to be considered valid for employment purposes.

Aside from language proficiency tests from official bodies, you can also use the following websites to test your mettle:

• Transparent Language. Transparent Language offers free proficiency tests in 26 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Latin, Irish, Dutch, Swedish, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Brazilian Portuguese. Each proficiency test has two sections on grammar, a section on vocabulary and a section on reading comprehension.
• Cactus Language. Cactus offers free tests for 24 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, Dutch, Czech, Polish, Russian, Croatian, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Thai, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Norwegian and Japanese. Each test contains 40 questions, and you should be able to complete the whole test in about 10 minutes.
• Language Trainers. Language Trainers offers tests for 20 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, Russian, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, Hebrew, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Polish, Swahili and Japanese. What makes this one stand out is that it asks that you only answer when you’re sure it’s correct since guessing could lead to inaccurate scores—beyond that, the tests are fairly flexible.
• Sprachcaffe. Sprachcaffe offers free online proficiency tests for seven languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic and Chinese. To take the tests, you must complete a brief signup for the site, but then you’re immediately free to take the tests. Each test contains about 70 questions, and once you’ve completed the test, you’ll receive your approximate level.
• Language Testing International. Language Testing International offers certifications in over 100 languages, including popular languages like Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Japanese, along with less common ones like Kazakh, Lao, Somali and countless others. Taking a test through this site can provide you with language certification from the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) , which will certainly be a bright spot on any résumé.
• They can be used as proof of competence for job applications and advanced studies. Your language proficiency test results are clear and succinct statements of your competency in the language. I’m not saying the tests are perfect, but they  are a handy shortcut when you want to prove your linguistic chops. That’s why many governments, companies and institutions require them from applicants. A standard measure like C2 tells them more than they need to know about you and your skills. So, for someone who wants to work in a specific country or take advanced classes, a language proficiency test might be a required element of your application.
• Passing language proficiency exams is a major confidence booster. They add a spring to your steps, scaffolding your chin so that it always remains up. To know that you’re good enough can make you want to brag, even if it’s just to yourself or your mom. You passed a hurdle and knocked one out of the park. So, what can life throw your way that you can’t handle? You already have personal proof that as long as you put your mind into it, you’ll make it.
• They can give you that extra motivation to take your language studies more seriously. When you’re anticipating that you’re about to take a major life-changing test soon, you’re more motivated to hit the books , work the flashcards and stay in on Saturday evenings. You get motivated because you’re paying for it yourself and because you don’t get to take it every day. You’ve got one shot to prove yourself (unless you want to pay the fee and sit down to take the test again). And you can boost your chances of passing your exam if you use a language learning platform like FluentU .

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

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Try FluentU for FREE!

To end this post, let me simply say that language fluency tests are not the monsters of the deep they’re often purported to be.

They’re simply a gauge, a way of telling you where you are in your language journey. They’re a check, a guide you can use to plan your way and achieve your goals.

So, have at it already, and good luck!

If you dig the idea of learning on your own time from the comfort of your smart device with real-life authentic language content, you'll love using FluentU .

With FluentU, you'll learn real languages—as they're spoken by native speakers. FluentU has a wide variety of videos as you can see here:

FluentU App Browse Screen.

FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.

Didn't catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover your mouse over the subtitles to instantly view definitions.

Interactive, dual-language subtitles.

You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentU's "learn mode." Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.

FluentU Has Quizzes for Every Video

And FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You get a truly personalized experience.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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