Introduction
Registered guides and students on guide training courses are
required to take an oral language test before guiding in any
language(s) other than their first language. On passing the test,
registered guides will be issued with the Institute of
Tourist Guiding Language Proficiency Certificate and the
language(s) tested will be included in the guide's entry on the
Institute Register, Guild List, APTG Register etc.
Test Standard
The linguistic standard expected will be high enough to ensure an
interesting and well-balanced commentary delivered in a confident
manner over a full day; ease of conversation with visitors giving
additional information and explanations when requested; the ability
to summarise information given in leaflets, brochures, etc. The
level required corresponds to those required by the Foreign Office
or highest level of CIoL.
The examiners will put themselves in the position of a foreign
visitor who does not understand English, and will therefore look
for the following in the candidate's performance:
- Accent/Clarity: The guide must speak with a
clear accent, without strong foreign or regional distortions.
Intonation must not be unduly influenced by the first language.
Colloquialisms which are not commonly accepted in standard educated
speech must be avoided since they have been known to cause offence
and misunderstandings. The examiners must feel confident that the
guide can be listened to for as long as a whole day without
strain.
- Fluency: Guides have to impart a great deal of
information in a very short time, and they must feel confident in
coping with large groups of visitors in any eventuality. They
should not have to search for words in order to express what they
wish to say, nor falter unduly in their delivery. Their speech
should be interesting and precise, and should avoid undue
repetition.
- Grammar and vocabulary: Grammatical accuracy
must be sufficient to avoid misunderstandings, although a certain
number of minor errors can be tolerated. Vocabulary must be
sufficiently detailed and varied to give an accurate and
interesting account of the places described. A vast knowledge of
technical words (e.g. architectural features) is not required,
although variation in vocabulary is important.
- Comprehension: Guides should be able to
understand the standard educated form of the language when spoken
clearly, at native speed.
The Test at Levels 3 & 4
The test lasts approximately 30 minutes and consists of four parts
which may be presented in any order:
Part A: Sight Translation
A passage of about 100 words, taken from an English document, to
be translated. Suitable sources of text include travel and hotel
announcements, instructions of various kinds, money changing
procedures, timetables, lists of regulations. Candidates will be
handed the text by the examiners, and will be given a short time to
study it before reading it in the language being examined. The
examiner may ask the candidate to explain particular words or
phrases.
Part B: Consecutive Interpreting
This part of the test simulates the situation a guide will
encounter when interpreting the commentary of a site or house guide
to a group. The Candidate will be told in which situation the group
finds itself, e.g. a theatre, museum, a park, at a station and many
more. An examiner (or a third person) will read out a text in
English, breaking up the reading into short extracts to make the
delivery as realistic as possible. The candidate must convey the
sense of what is being said at the end of each short extract into
the language being examined. The Candidate does not need to give an
exact translation, but a summary of the most important points. If
the Candidate has any doubts or needs to hear a phrase again, s/he
is free to ask the reader for clarification in English, before
continuing to address the group in the language being examined.
Part C: Prepared Talk 5
minutes
From the list of topics below candidates should choose two topics.
Prepare a lively five minute talk about each of these two topics to
present to the examiner. The examiner will select one of these two
topics for you to speak about without notes. Your talk should be as
wide ranging as possible and should include a good variety of
vocabulary. NB This is a test of your language skills and not a
test of facts or guiding skills.
- The UK perspective on the Euro
- Nearby places of interest
- Local literary figures
- Links between the UK and the culture your visitors come
from
- Local night life
- Parks and green spaces
- Local customs and traditions
- Reality shows on British TV
- Sport
- The local education system
Part D: General Conversation
10 minutes
The aim of this part of the test is to ascertain the guide's
general oral competence. The examiners may ask questions about any
aspect of the guide's job, interests and background, together with
any other matters of general interest. The conversation is intended
to reflect the kind of conversation which may well develop in
normal circumstances between a guide and a tourist.
Results
Candidates will be notified formally in writing by the Institute
of Tourist Guiding shortly after the test has been taken. They will
take the form of a Pass or recommended Re-sit (Grade 4 shorter
term, Grade 5 longer term). A Pass will constitute an endorsement
in that language and will be added to the guide's entry on the
Register.
Application Deadline: 14 October 2011
Fee 2011 £85 per language
Language Exam Levels 3/4 Application Form
Language Exam Preparation Seminar Application
Form
