At the English Empowerment Center, we teach the very beginning level learner and offer two or three different level classes based on our class site and the space available. We make great efforts to place learners in the correct level class to maximize their learning potential and are always in great need of dedicated testers. With the increase in demand of our services would love for more people to become certified in our assessment tool to support this crucial process.
Placing English language learners in the appropriate level class is vital for success. It ensures that learners have enough foundational knowledge to understand the material being taught while challenging them to push their limits, fostering motivation and a desire to learn more.
Each semester we test English Empowerment Center learners using the BEST Plus assessment developed by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL). The assessment is an individually administered, face-to-face, scripted oral proficiency assessment that measures adult learners’ ability to listen and speak in English in authentic situations. In the past we have used their BEST Plus 2.0 and are excited about the release of the updated BEST Plus 3.0 assessment.
BEST Plus 3.0 was specifically developed to be aligned with the English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education and examinee performances on BEST Plus 3.0 can be interpreted in terms of the National Reporting System’s Educational Functioning Levels (U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education). (https://www.calstore.cal.org/best-plus-30).
During each semester’s registration season, we rely on the dedication of volunteers to administer BEST Plus tests and keep our registrations running smoothly. Certified volunteers play a crucial role in this process, as their efforts help ensure learners are placed in the classes that best meet their needs. Many volunteers find the experience incredibly rewarding because it allows them to connect one-on-one with learners, gain insight into their backgrounds, and make a direct impact on their educational journey. And for those of you that work in our classroom, you may notice some of learners in the training video. CAL produced the training at one of our locations using our learners!
The certification course is free until April 14, 2025! If you are interested in becoming a certified BEST Plus 3.0 tester please reach out to Amy Tristan, EEC’s volunteer manager, at atristan@englishempowermentcenter.org , to get started! We NEED 40 Volunteers to be certified in BEST Plus 3.0 by April 14, so please consider this fun and important role.