British Council Announces New Partnership with TestReach to Transform English Language Testing Worldwide
The British Council has today announced a new partnership with TestReach to transform the global delivery of the British Council’s language tests, including the flagship Aptis test and the new Foundation English test.
TestReach, a high-growth technology company based at NexusUCD in Dublin, provides leading computer-based assessment solutions used by professional associations, public agencies, universities, and corporations to run secure, online examinations.
The company uses a cloud-based assessment tool that allows organisations to create and deliver any type of online examination. The feature set covers all areas of exam creation and rollout including question development and exam paper assembly, computer-based exam delivery (with or without online supervision), detailed marking, moderation and exam results analysis.
The new partnership will launch the global and online delivery of Aptis and the Foundation English Test – both will be available on the TestReach platform by the end of 2022.
The Foundation English Test is a new English assessment developed by the British Council for adults to help them improve their employment prospects. The British Council hopes that the new Foundation English Test will assist job seekers by giving organisations a better tool to job-match and assess candidates.
Aptis is a well-established English language proficiency test taken by more than 1.8 million candidates in around 85 countries. It is trusted by governments, universities, schools, companies and other institutions, and is used for a variety of entry, proficiency, exit and accreditation purposes. In 2021, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) that regulates qualifications, examinations and tests in England, began to officially regulate Aptis.
Dr Jonathan Ford, Head of Global Assessment at the British Council, said, “The British Council is a global leader in English language tests. Working with TestReach, using new and innovative ways of assessing a candidate’s language capabilities, will enable us to offer cutting-edge technology and excellent service and support to our global clients.”
Louella Morton, co-CEO at TestReach, said, “We are looking forward to working in partnership with the British Council to provide innovative assessments underpinned with excellent customer service. The British Council have a great vision for the future of English language education and testing worldwide, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to support that vision through our innovative assessment technology to create the most engaging and candidate-friendly English language assessment available.”
Marina Donohoe, Director of UK and Northern Europe at Enterprise Ireland, said, “Enterprise Ireland is delighted to see that TestReach, a female-led Irish company working in the STEM area, is bringing technical innovation in assessment to global organisations. The partnership between the British Council and TestReach will bring positive and progressive changes to the future of English language testing worldwide.”
ENDS
28 June 2022
For further information contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie or Beatrice Cole, British Council, e: beatrice.cole@britishcouncil.org.
Editors Notes
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education, and the English language. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive a 14.5 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. The British Council creates global opportunities in arts and culture, education and the English language. www.britishcouncil.org
TestReach is an award-winning technology company headquartered at NexusUCD in Dublin, Ireland. Co-founded by Louella Morton and Sheena Bailey in 2014, and now employing 100+ staff, TestReach provides innovative solutions for the online creation, management and delivery of examinations. TestReach covers the end-to-end assessment process, from initial question development right through to detailed results and data analysis. The TestReach solution includes the integral option of live remote invigilation for formal exams, where the candidate is monitored in real-time online by trained TestReach supervisors using video, audio and remote screen share technology. With TestReach, examining bodies can create engaging assessments using the advanced test authoring tool and then roll them out securely, anywhere in the world, at any time, for any number of candidates, while maintaining the full integrity of the test. www.testreach.com
Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. Enterprise Ireland works in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets, thus supporting sustainable economic growth, regional development and secure employment. www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/
NexusUCD, the Industry Partnership Centre, is located in Belfield Office Park, Clonskeagh, adjoining the main University College Dublin campus. NexusUCD offers high-quality modern office space, with short, medium or long-term occupancy arrangements, and associated services to established innovation-led companies, such as TestReach, who are collaborating, or wish to collaborate, with UCD’s world-class research base. www.ucd.ie/innovation/industry-and-business/nexusucd/