Language requirement

  • Language requirement
The "Garden of England" 16 people max

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The "Garden of England" 16 people max

Canterbury, Dover Castle and Cliffs & Kent Villages

Next available tour Tue 06 May. From £144
The "Garden of England" 16 people max

Canterbury, Dover Castle and Cliffs & Kent Villages

Next available tour Tue 06 May. From £144

Comprehensive Guide to International Language Exams for Working in Europe

This professional guide provides international candidates with detailed information about language proficiency exams required to work in various sectors across Germany and other European countries. The guide includes tabular data on exams by language, sector requirements, and how EduSkills can assist in preparation.

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Language Exam Requirements by Sector

Below is a comprehensive table outlining the key language examinations recognized for employment in major European industries:
Language Examination Body Sectors Eligibility Passing Score Notes
German Goethe-Institut Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail, Manufacturing, Business Management Open to all international candidates B2 for most sectors, C1 for healthcare 47 Goethe-Zertifikat C2 is highest recognized level 7
German telc Food Processing, Hospitality, Retail No restrictions B1-B2 depending on role 3 telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule specifically for academic purposes 7
German TestDaF IT & Technology, Business Management Typically for university admission but accepted by employers TDN 4 in all sections (equivalent to B2-C1) 414 Popular for technical fields 7
English IELTS IT & Technology, Business Management No restrictions 6.0-7.0 depending on employer 11 Academic version preferred for professional roles 11
English TOEFL IT & Technology, Business Management No restrictions 80-90 iBT 11 Some German employers prefer IELTS 11
English Cambridge English All sectors No restrictions C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 14 Highly regarded across Europe 14
German DSH Healthcare, Education Must be taken in Germany DSH-2 (≈C1) 10 Primarily for academic purposes but recognized professionally 10
German Goethe-Test PRO Pflege Healthcare (Nursing) Nursing professionals/students B2 4 Specifically for healthcare sector 4

Note: Many German employers in technical fields (IT, Engineering) may accept English proficiency if German skills are limited, but German language skills significantly improve employment prospects 11.

Sector-Specific Language Requirements

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Healthcare
  • • Minimum Requirement: B2/C1 German (Goethe-Zertifikat or telc) 47
  • • Specialized Exams: Goethe-Test PRO Pflege for nursing roles 4
  • • Notes: Patient-facing roles require higher fluency (C1) 10
IT & Technology
  • • Minimum Requirement: B2 German OR IELTS 6.5/TOEFL 90 11
  • • Preferred: Technical vocabulary in either language
  • • Notes: Multinational companies may operate in English 11
Hospitality & Food Processing
  • • Minimum Requirement: B1-B2 German (telc or Goethe) 3
  • • Key Skills: Customer service vocabulary
  • • Notes: English may supplement but not replace German 14
Business Management
  • • Minimum Requirement: C1 German OR IELTS 7.0/TOEFL 100 1114
  • • Preferred: Business language certificates
  • • Notes: Executive roles often require native-level fluency 14
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How EduSkills Can Help Prepare for Language Exams

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EduSkills offers comprehensive support for international candidates preparing for language proficiency tests:

1. Structured Preparation Courses
  • o Tailored programs for Goethe, telc, and IELTS exams 9
  • o Open-book exam formats with practice materials 9
  • o Two exam attempts included in course fees 9
2. Certification Support
  • o Digital and physical certificates upon completion 9
  • o Recognized documentation for visa applications 9
3. Exam Strategies
  • o Focus on challenging sections (e.g., Speaking for Goethe, Writing for IELTS) 9
  • o Time management techniques 9
4. Specialized Sector Preparation
  • o Healthcare: Medical terminology for Goethe-Test PRO Pflege 49
  • o Business: Formal communication practice 9
5. Technical Support
  • o Online resources accessible worldwide 9
  • o Invitation letters for visa applications after payment 9
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"Our mission is to help people acquire, improve and demonstrate language competencies so they can achieve their personal and professional goals" - telc philosophy that aligns with EduSkills approach 3.*

Key Recommendations

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  • 1. For Germany-focused careers: Prioritize German exams (Goethe or telc) even if English is accepted 7
  • 2. For multinational roles: Combine English (IELTS/TOEFL) with intermediate German (B1/B2) 11
  • 3. Sector-specific: Healthcare requires specialized language certifications 4
  • 4. Validity: Most language certificates are valid indefinitely for employment (unlike academic use) 7
  • 5. Preparation: Utilize practice materials from official exam providers 49