The ultimate guide to English tests for business: Everything HR professionals need to know

Samantha Ball
A group of business people sat on a sofa together
Reading time: 8 minutes

No matter what industry you work in, effective communication is key. For many companies, this means ensuring their employees have strong English language skills. As an HR professional, you have the power to play a pivotal role in this process. English tests can be invaluable tools for improving hiring processes, assessing communication skills, and enhancing overall team productivity. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about using English tests in your business.

For more guidance on hiring with confidence, also take a look at our simpleÌýguide to language skill assessment.

Part 1: Understanding English tests

Types of business English tests commonly used in business

When it comes to English tests, there are several types commonly used in the corporate world:

  • General proficiency tests: These assess overall English skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Examples include the TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication), PTE (ÃÛÌÒapp Test of English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
  • Business English tests: These focus specifically on business-related language skills. Versant by ÃÛÌÒapp and the BEC (Business English Certificate) are some main examples.
  • Skills-specific tests: These assessments evaluate specific skills, such as writing or speaking, in a business setting. Proficiency in English vocabulary is particularly important in these tests, especially for business English. It involves understanding and using business-specific terminology effectively and measures proficiency across listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills on the GSE or CEFR scale.

How these tests are designed and scored

English tests are usually created by language experts and psychometricians to ensure their reliability and validity. These tests include different types of questions, such as multiple-choice, essays, and spoken responses. Objective questions can be scored by a computer, while essays and spoken responses are typically graded by trained examiners.

Differences between various English proficiency tests

Each English proficiency test has its unique characteristics. For instance, the TOEIC focuses on everyday workplace language, making it better suited for general office environments. On the other hand, the BEC is tailored for more specific business interactions, such as negotiations and presentations. Versant by ÃÛÌÒapp tests offer a distinctive approach to assessing English proficiency with a focus on communication skills that are critical in a business context. Unlike traditional tests, Versant by ÃÛÌÒapp assessments assess various aspects of speech, such as pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, and syntax for a more rounded overview. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right test for your needs.

Get in touch to find out how we can help with your testing solutions

Part 2: Benefits of English tests for businesses

Improving candidate selection processes

English tests play an important role in identifying candidates best qualified for the job, significantly enhancing your hiring process. '' by Randall L. Jones and Bernard Spolsky emphasize the importance of improving candidate selection processes through effective English proficiency tests.

The papers highlight the critical role of assessing speaking, listening, and reading skills to ensure accurate measurement of job-related language abilities. Various methods, such as oral interviews, listening comprehension tests, and contextual reading assessments, are discussed for their validity and effectiveness in evaluating communicative competence. By enhancing these testing techniques, organizations can make more informed and objective hiring decisions, ultimately leading to better job performance and reduced turnover.Ìý

Reducing employee turnover

Properly designed selection processes that incorporate English tests can also help in reducing employee turnover. When you assess language skills effectively, you are more likely to hire candidates who fit well with the job requirements and the company culture. (2009) underscores this point. 'Hiring for retention and performance' reveals that thorough selection processes can significantly decrease employee turnover. By employing these comprehensive assessments, businesses can save on the high costs associated with recruitment and training, while fostering a more stable and cohesive workforce.

Enhancing candidate experience and perception

Incorporating English tests into your hiring process not only helps in selecting the right candidates but also contributes to a fair and transparent selection procedure. Applicants often have better experiences and perceptions of the selection process when they feel the testing procedures are just and clear.

According to an analysis by Hausknecht, J. P., Day, D. V., & Thomas, S. C. (2004), fair and transparent testing procedures can greatly improve candidate reactions. found that when candidates perceive the selection process as equitable, they are more likely to view the organization positively, regardless of the outcome. This can enhance your company’s reputation and attract high-quality candidates in the future.

Assessing communication skills for specific job roles

Different job roles require different levels of English proficiency. For example, a customer service representative might need strong speaking and listening skills, while a technical writer would need excellent writing abilities. English tests allow you to assess these specific skills, ensuring you hire the best fit for each role.

Enhancing team dynamics and productivity

Language barriers can hinder team collaboration and efficiency. By ensuring all employees have a solid command of English, you can improve communication, reduce misunderstandings, and boost overall productivity.Ìý

Part 3: Implementing English tests in the hiring process

Best practices for integrating English tests into recruitment

To effectively integrate English tests into your recruitment process, follow these best practices:

  1. Identify key language skills: Determine which English skills are most important for each job role.
  2. Choose the right test: Select a test that accurately assesses these skills.
  3. Train your team: Ensure your HR team is trained to administer and interpret the tests.
  4. Provide feedback and utilize task management: Offer candidates constructive feedback based on their test results and incorporate task management to streamline the workflow, making the hiring process faster and more efficient.

Additionally, using recruitment tools like Versant by ÃÛÌÒapp can significantly simplify the recruitment process, broadening your network of potential candidates and ensuring a more productive, cost-effective, and unbiased hiring process.

Legal and ethical considerations

It's important to be aware of legal and ethical considerations when implementing English tests. Ensure that your tests are fair and non-discriminatory. Provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities and be transparent about how the test results will be used in the hiring process.

Tools and platforms for administering tests

There are several tools and platforms available for administering English tests. Some popular options include:

  • Online testing platforms: These offer flexibility and convenience. Like Versant by ÃÛÌÒapp testing solutions.
  • In-house testing solutions: These can be customized to your specific needs.
  • Third-party providers: Companies like ÃÛÌÒapp offer comprehensive testing services.

Video interviewing has become an indispensable tool in the candidate assessment process. Recruiters can conduct both live and pre-recorded interviews, which integrate seamlessly with applicant tracking systems. This technology overcomes geographical and timezone limitations, speeds up the screening process, and leverages AI-powered features for enhanced decision-making.

Conclusion

Incorporating English tests into your hiring process can offer numerous benefits, from improving candidate selection to boosting team productivity. As the market for English assessment in the business sector continues to grow, staying ahead of the curve can give your company a competitive advantage.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your current approach, now is the perfect time to consider integrating English tests into your recruitment strategy. Enhance your recruitment process with English tests and take your business to new heights. Incorporating these assessments is crucial for making informed talent management decisions, especially in evaluating job applicants and identifying qualified candidates for promotion.

For more insights and resources on improving your hiring processes, connect with us today and discover how we can support you on this journey.

Explore Versant by ÃÛÌÒapp

Contact us to find out more

Frequently asked questions

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • A businessman smiling outside

    Upskilling and re-skilling for work: Future-proofing your career

    By Claire Chettiar

    In today's rapidly evolving work landscape, the importance of both upskilling and re-skilling has never been more evident. The skills required in the workplace are continuously shifting due to technological advancements, changing job roles, and increasing global competition. Learning new skills is the key to remaining relevant, competitive, and future proofing your career.Ìý

    A recentÌýÃÛÌÒapp skills outlook reportÌýshows how Indian workers are keen to improve their skills for career growth (with a focus on certain skills in technology and business English) to keep up with progression, and to stay relevant to employers. Following this, in today's post, we explore the significance of upskilling and re-skilling and how they can empower you to thrive in the dynamic world of work.Ìý

    Staying relevant in a changing job market

    The job market is in a constant state of flux, with traditional roles being disrupted and new ones emerging. Upskilling allows you to stay ahead of these changes in your current career, and reskilling allows you to adapt and remain relevant in the face of evolving skill requirements. By continuously updating and expanding your skill set, you enhance your employability and increase your chances of securing meaningful employment opportunities, even in the face of automation and job market fluctuations.

    Enhancing professional growth and advancement

    Upskilling is not just about maintaining your current job; it is also a catalyst for professional growth and advancement. By acquiring new skills, you broaden your horizons, open doors to new career possibilities, and position yourself for promotions and higher-level positions.

    Employers value employees who demonstrate a commitment to self-improvement and possess a diverse range of skills, making upskilling a powerful tool for career progression.

    Navigating technological advancements

    Technology continues to reshape the workplace, and upskilling is essential for effectively navigating these advancements. Automation, artificial intelligence, and digitalization are transforming industries, and workers must adapt to remain relevant. Re-skilling in areas such as data analysis, coding, cybersecurity, or digital marketing equips you with the expertise needed to leverage technology and work alongside it, rather than being displaced by it.

    Increasing job satisfaction and motivation

    Learning and growth are fundamental drivers of job satisfaction and motivation: research has shown that it is as significant a factor as low pay in peoples' decision to stay with a particular company or job role1. Upskilling not only expands your knowledge but also stimulates your intellectual curiosity and passion for your work. When you invest in your professional development, you can align your skills with your passions and find greater fulfilment in your chosen career path.

    Nurturing adaptability and resilience

    Upskilling fosters adaptability and resilience, two essential qualities in today's dynamic work environment. The estimates that a quarter of all jobs will be disrupted in the next five years alone; meaning that everyone needs to be prepared for change and uncertainty.

    By continuously learning and developing new skills, you become more adaptable to changing circumstances and can readily embrace new challenges. Upskilling enhances your problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and ability to learn quickly, making you better equipped to handle unexpected situations and thrive in an ever-evolving workplace.

    Remaining competitive in a global economy

    As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, global competition for jobs is intensifying. By staying abreast of industry trends, acquiring in-demand skills, and demonstrating a commitment to self-improvement, you differentiate yourself from other candidates and increase your chances of securing coveted job opportunities, both domestically and internationally.

    The importance of upskilling and re-skilling for work cannot be overstated. In a rapidly changing world, they are the keys to remaining relevant, adaptable, and competitive. By continuously learning and developing new skills, you future-proof your career, enhance your employability, and open doors to new opportunities.

    Embrace skills development as a lifelong journey: by doing so, you empower yourself to thrive in the dynamic world of work and build a fulfilling, successful career.

  • Coworkers sat at a desk with their laptops, smiling and talking to eachother

    Boosting employee retention: Benefits of language learning in the workplace

    By Claire Chettiar

    In the era of the Great Resignation, there are lots of factors that influence whether or not someone chooses to stay with their company or decides to accept a job offer from a new employer.

    Whilst fair pay remains a constant in this, feeling included, valued, and cared about by colleagues plays a significant role in the decision on whether to stay or go.

    Ìý

  • Three business people walking through a hallway smilng

    The value of language skills in the workplace

    By Claire Chettiar

    Language skills have become increasingly important in the workplace as the world becomes more globalized and connected. Having the ability to communicate effectively in more than one language is very valuable, and with English being a leading lingua franca for businesses across the world, language skills sit at the heart of business success.

    Here we highlight four top reasons why language skills are so valuable in the workplace.

    Enhanced communication

    Effective communication is the number one soft skill that employers look for, . Having strong language skills enables better communication with clients and colleagues, and also helps to work effectively with people from different cultures. It builds solid relationships and reduces frustration where customers or colleagues may otherwise feel that they are not understood or listened to.

    Career opportunities

    Having different languages on your CV can really help to stand out among other candidates. For some industries it is essential, such as tourism, where it is necessary to serve clients from different countries, and this is also true where companies serve clients in international markets.

    Where businesses are increasingly moving to hybrid working practices that can include teams spread across different countries and timezones, it is also becoming more of an expectation and advantage to be able to connect through a central language, such as English.

    Furthermore, having English language skills can provide employees with better networking opportunities, in particular through conferences, trade shows and social media platforms such as LinkedIn.

    Personal growth

    Learning a new language can be a very enriching experience that enhances personal growth and skills development. Language learning doesn't just impact communication skills; it's also been noted that learning a language helps the brain process and remember information more efficiently[1], as well as developing new cognitive and problem-solving skills.

    Learning a new language requires discipline, dedication, and patience, which are qualities that can be applied to other areas of work and life.

    To summarise, language skills are highly valuable in the workplace and can open up new career opportunities for employees, as well as adding tangible benefits to businesses. Investing in language skills can increase an employee's value, and this can help them succeed in today's ever-evolving work landscape.