20 September 2017

Athens, Greece

LANGUAGECERT: NEW ERA IN LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

PeopleCert Group introduces the Next Generation of English Language Certificates for the Global Learners’ Community

After England, Wales and New Zealand, the next generation of English Language Certificates opens its doors in Greece. LanguageCert, the result of the combination of innovation, technology, tradition and heritage in language qualifications, promises the tomorrow of English Language Certification today.

LanguageCert was presented during an exclusive event held at the British Embassy in Athens, Greece on September 20, to educators, academics, and members of the press. Mr Byron Nicolaides, Founder, Chairman & CEO of PeopleCert Group, Dr Michael Milanovic, Chairman of Advisory Council & Member of Board of Directors of LanguageCert and former Cambridge English Language Assessment CEO, and Mr Marios Molfetas, Business Development Director, LanguageCert, all spoke about the benefits of the new certification.

LanguageCert is an Awarding Organisation dedicated to high quality language skills assessment and certification, recognised among others by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), the independent authority that regulates qualifications, examinations, and assessments in England.

LanguageCert International ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) examinations are offered at six levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2), all fully aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The qualifications assess all language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking. All the International ESOL examinations are regulated by Ofqual in the sector subject area “Languages, literature and culture of the British Isles”. Up to now, LanguageCert has gained similar recognition from countries where English is the official language such as New Zealand and Wales and is in the process of acquiring recognitions globally, having already succeeded in countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Spain.

LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications originate from the corresponding City & Guilds qualifications, which were acquired by LanguageCert in 2015 and underwent rigorous content evaluation and improvement. Special developments were also put in place in order to achieve alignment with modern, cutting-edge technological advances.

Today, there are about 6,000 languages in the world, and half of the world’s population speaks only 10 of them. English is the single most dominant one out of these 10 and the official language in 54 countries all over the world. In practice, it is the first global lingua franca. It is estimated that there are currently over 1 billion people learning English worldwide and latest research from the British Council predicts that the number is set to exceed 1.9 billion by 2020.

LanguageCert has some innovations that differentiate the LanguageCert International ESOL examinations from the others in the country:

• Separate Written & Spoken Exams – can be taken together or one at a time
• Exams available several times a year on demand through Approved Test Centres
• Excellent Customer Service 24/7/365

For the delivery of its qualification exams, LanguageCert deploys state-of-the-art, innovative and flexible exam administration technologies and systems developed by PeopleCert. To date, LanguageCert exams are delivered through more than 165 test centres in over 25 countries. LanguageCert will be present in 150 countries during the next 18 months.

Byron Nicolaides, Founder, Chairman & CEO of PeopleCert Group, made the following statement: “We are very proud that LanguageCert, the most innovative and advanced ESOL qualifications in the world, is making its entrance in the Greek market. Taking advantage of PeopleCert’s new technologies such as Online Proctoring and having by our side the most prominent and experienced Advisory Council, this British-native ESOL qualification is the next generation of English Language Certificates”.

Dr Michael Milanovic, Chairman of Advisory Council & Member of Board of Directors of LanguageCert and former Cambridge English Language Assessment CEO declares: “LanguageCert is an exciting combination of heritage and innovation. It’s a unique, forward thinking suite of English language examinations characterised by professional quality, modern operational systems and sophisticated technological solutions. I am very pleased to be working with the excellent LanguageCert team”.

- ENDS –

Media enquiries:

Foteini Kalliri

Journalist – Communication Advisor

Tel: +30 694 510 7197

Email: foteini.kalliri@peoplecert.org

About LanguageCert

LanguageCert is a business name of PeopleCert Qualifications Ltd, UK company number 962026, a member of PeopleCert Group. LanguageCert is an awarding organisation dedicated to language skills assessment and certification, delivering exams globally on behalf of its language skills assessment partners. LanguageCert offers its own suite of General English language qualifications, aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), and recognised by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

www.languagecert.gr

About PeopleCert

PeopleCert is a global leader in the assessment and certification of professional skills, partnering with multi-national organisations and government bodies to develop and deliver market leading exams. PeopleCert delivers exams across 180 countries, in 25 languages, through its state-of-the-art assessment technology, enabling professionals to reach their full potential and realise their life ambitions through learning.

www.peoplecert.org