New international English test to be owned by UK government

The UK Home Office is seeking candidates to help develop an international English language test specifically for immigration purposes.

The PIE News reported on September 2nd that the UK government appears to be planning to change the way it recognizes the English proficiency of visa applicants, no longer relying on test results from independent organizations as before. Instead, applicants may register to take a separate international English test owned by the UK Home Office, using a completely new testing model.

Accordingly, the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) recently announced that the UK government will collaborate with the market to understand "existing products, services, and innovations" in the field of English language testing, in order to develop new tests. The project, with an estimated budget of £1.13 billion, includes the development of the tests; an online registration and results system; in-person testing centers; invigilators; and identity verification services.

The UK Home Office is inviting interested service providers to register their interest in discussing this project, with the aim of finding the best and most feasible solution for implementing the new model. This will be an international English language test branded by the Home Office, designed and maintained by a single provider, and will assess two or four English language skills of applicants depending on the type of visa they are applying for, the agency stated.

This move comes amidst ongoing controversies surrounding English language testing worldwide . In the UK, many universities have rejected PTE Academic Online test results after Pearson, the organizing body, announced the cancellation of some test results due to suspected cheating. The Australian Department of Home Affairs only reinstated TOEFL iBT in May after more than 10 months of rejection.

Recently, educational institutions have been launching new English language tests. Oxford University Press launched a new test called Oxford Test of English Advanced in April, while IDP – co-owner of the IELTS test – launched a new AI-powered test called Envoy in early December 2023. Furthermore, these providers are fiercely competing, constantly launching marketing campaigns targeting each other, shortening test durations, or offering features like retaking a skill.

According to an update from the UK government on September 2nd, applicants currently residing in the UK can register for a Guaranteed English Language Test (SELT) offered by Pearson, IELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert, or Trinity College London. For international applicants, the options include Pearson, IELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert, and Skills for English. All are recognized by the UK Home Office for use in visa applications.

According to data from the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency, 2023 saw 3,240 Vietnamese students studying in the UK at the post-secondary level, a decrease of more than half compared to the previous year (7,140) and even lower than during the pandemic (3,725). Recently, the UK has also continuously adjusted its visa policies with the goal of reducing net immigration by 300,000 per year, making the country increasingly less attractive to international students.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/du-kien-co-bai-thi-tieng-anh-quoc-te-moi-do-chinh-phu-anh-so-huu-185240903144702551.htm