AP to certify English skills of state students through TOEFL, check details here

The government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to enter into an agreement with Education Testing Services (ETS) following a series of measures to enhance the spoken and reading skills of students in the English language. This is to evaluate the students’ abilities by administering and certifying the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This initiative will benefit 30,01,757 students in the state, including 12,45,191 students in the primary section and 17,56,557 students in the secondary section.

Students in grades 3 through 9 will have the opportunity to be evaluated on their English listening and literacy skills. And 10th graders will be evaluated on their English speaking abilities. This proposal is consistent with the TOEFL Young Students Series (YSS) TOEFL Primary Package, TOEFL Junior Standard Package, and TOEFL Junior Speaking Test. First, it will give students in government institutions, who are predominantly from disadvantaged circumstances, the confidence to communicate and comprehend English at an internationally recognised level, according to state officials.

This will also improve their ability to pass the advanced English examinations required for admission to foreign universities and employment abroad.

Second, for those who do not take advantage of these opportunities abroad and remain in their home state and country, it will improve the calibre of professional services they can provide. This will prove invaluable for improving the quality of services in tourism catering to international and domestic tourists, hospitality, sales and customer relations, gig-economy, and many other areas, thereby establishing Andhra Pradesh as a desirable location for establishing business operations and tourism operations.