Program Exam

Exam Description

Evaluation of linguistic and communication skills

Each SDSU exam covers the 4 domains of communication, which are: reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, and oral assessment. 

SDSU exams were designed using language that mirrors what one student would hear in their daily life while remaining standard in mainstream English.

Our approach to foreign language learning, and acquisition, is that both take place in a communicative way where people acquire grammatical structures through real communication and contextualizing situations.  Therefore, the learner intuitively manages to grasp the grammar rules of the foreign language and apply them correctly; very similar to the natural process in the acquisition of a first language (mother tongue).   

Measurement Standards and International Recognition

We shift the paradigm of traditional online assessments. The participant is provided the opportunity to know their level of proficiency in the English language.  This is done, through a platform that offers an instrument with images, and appropriate exercises. Setting an atmosphere of familiarity for the examinee will produce a sense of security for the individual taking the assessment.  Therefore, giving them better results in their evaluation.

Our platform also has a section that evaluates oral language. Oral language assessment is done entirely online for the convenience of the examinee and the institution.

Results Accreditation

San Diego State University, in its alliance with Excellence Certification, is the entity responsible for carrying out the evaluation of students to determine their proficiency in the English language. Therefore, providing accurate information on the level demonstrated to their school, to their family, and to the student.

As a formal acknowledgment of the effort made by the students and their level of proficiency in the use of English language, San Diego State University, and Excellence Certification issue a certificate accrediting the level of English achieved under the criteria defined by the CEFR (The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and CELS (Common English Language Standards). 

SDSU Certification exams are also accredited under Mexico’s National Language Level Certification (CENNI) program, which is an official document developed by the Ministry of Public Education (SEP) through the Mexican General Directorate for Accreditation, Incorporation, and Revalidation (DGAIR) office in Mexico, to evaluate, recognize and certify students' knowledge and abilities in international languages.

 The following handbooks contain pertinent information regarding our background, the aims, and goals of two of our certification instruments, and characteristics of the intended test population.  

In addition, the handbooks highlight specific attributes (e.g. number of items within each test component, the ways in which test items are presented, sample test questions, etc.) within each of the exams. 

Information

ELS Certification Information

Office: West Faculty
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30pm
Phone: 760.768.5510
Email: [email protected]