Whether you’re applying for a new position, seeking a promotion, or making arrangements to enter a hiring process that requires proof of language proficiency, a professional language assessment can feel daunting. On a positive note? If it’s prepared in time, you can walk in, confident and ready to perform at your best. Here’s how to get started.   

  

Know What the Test Assesses   

Prior to anything else, find out the format of the assessment you’ll be taking. Professional language tests take the form of written and oral. Written exams focus on reading comprehension, grammar, written expression, and clarity through word use. Oral assessments assess spoken fluency, pronunciation, listening comprehension, and the ability to convey thought freely and in natural professional contexts. At ELAM, we provide written and oral language assessments that reflect an authentic environment and expectations in the workplace and ensure that candidates are tested and evaluated based on how well they can communicate in a professional context — as opposed to just following textbook rules.   

  

Deepen the Language Practice Daily   

When it comes to language preparation, consistency is key. During the weeks before your assessment, you should keep up with content in your target language on a daily basis. Read industry-related articles, listen to podcasts, view business news, or follow professional accounts on LinkedIn. The idea is to get your brain so that it naturally and efficiently switches into that language. If your assessment has an oral component, practice speaking as much as possible. Discuss with coworkers, record yourself, or schedule a session with a language coach. For the written form: write professional emails, summaries, or short reports to hone the writing quality of your answers.   

  

Work On Skills of Professional Vocabulary   

Casual speech and business language are not identical. Consider the vocabulary and expressions in your industry or field that you are likely to encounter. Consider what kind of emails, reports, presentations, conference calls, or meetings you see at work, and ensure that you are able to handle the situations and feel comfortable navigating through them—both the written word being put down on paper and oral presentation, if at all.   

  

Simulate the Assessment Conditions   

That’s because one of the best ways to prepare is to run through tests under real conditions. Set a timer and practice some free-assignment exercises for written preparation free from distractions. Orally test your speaking with a mock interview scenario so you can respond to questions on the spot. The less anxiety you carry into the assessment, the more familiar the experience feels.   

  

Rest and Arrive Ready   

Language performance is highly correlated to cognitive performance, so fatigue is your biggest enemy on assessment day. Make sleeping a priority in the days before a test, eat well, and provide enough time to get there calm and collected. A clear, rested mind works far better — whether you’re a business memo writer or you’re having a speech under pressure.   

  

Let ELAM Help You Get There   

We are not just a part of a broader group when it comes to making assessments that evaluate language—we help individuals gain the language tools that get them to the next level of success for themselves and their organizations with ELAM. If you’re getting a candidate ready for an upcoming written or oral evaluation, or you are working with your team to train them up, our trained experts are right in your corner at every stage. Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to learn more about our assessment and training services.