Konrad Lorenz University, located in the heart of Bogotá, Colombia, is renowned for its academic quality and strong commitment to student employability. With approximately 2,000 graduates each year, the university offers 6 undergraduate degrees, 7 postgraduate programmes, and 1 PhD.
A key aspect of their success is that all students are required to certify their English proficiency, as the language is an integral part of their curriculum, preparing them for the competitive job market strategy.
This strategy has been proven successful because around 80% of Konrad Lorenz graduates secure employment almost immediately, reflecting the effectiveness of its academic approach
The challenge
Leopoldo Pinzón, who has experience in english teaching for over 20 years and has been the Director of the Foreign Language Institute at Konrad Lorenz for a few years, identified significant challenges in assessing students’ English proficiency.
Previously, internal tests were created by teachers, a common practice in Colombia, but one that presented issues with validity, reliability, and security.
The content did not always reflect the students’ actual level, and without a robust question bank, students could easily access the answers, affecting academic performance and the value of the results.
The action
They were in search of a more efficient and reliable tool, Pinzón and his team found EnglishScore to be the ideal solution. EnglishScore offered a practical platform allowing students to take the exam from anywhere in the world while ensuring the level of security and validity required to guarantee the quality of the results.
Since its implementation, Konrad Lorenz University has used EnglishScore for various purposes:
- Placement tests: All incoming students are assessed with EnglishScore to determine their English level.
- Graduation requirement: In the final semesters, students are evaluated to ensure they have the necessary level to take the national graduation exam.
- PhD entry: For PhD programmes, a B2 level of English is required, and EnglishScore is the standard used to measure this requirement.
- Impact on Academic Processes One of the main benefits of EnglishScore has been the improvement in the speed and efficiency of academic processes. Previously, student placement took 4 to 5 working days; however, thanks to EnglishScore and its dashboard, students can now be placed in just one day. This has been particularly beneficial for international students, who can take the test regardless of their location.
- Cost Optimisation The use of EnglishScore has also allowed for cost optimisation. Previously, the university invested in teachers to create and grade exams, but with the EnglishScore license, these resources have been redirected to other areas, maintaining the quality of the assessment process without incurring additional expenses.
- Trust and Security Leopoldo Pinzón highlights the security of EnglishScore as one of its best features, noting the confidence it generates with its smart algorithm and AI proctoring.
The solution
EnglishScore has helped the Foreign Language Institute at Konrad Lorenz University address the challenges of the Colombian context, where many students enter with an A1 level of English. Thanks to EnglishScore assessments, the university has been able to better identify the strategies needed to raise students’ English proficiency and prepare them for the job market.
Leopoldo Pinzón wholeheartedly recommends EnglishScore, noting that it is a practical, quick, and cost-effective tool that allows students to certify their skills and demonstrate their English proficiency to potential employers.
Unlike other tests on the market, EnglishScore stands out for its reliability and ease of use, as it can be taken on a mobile phone and results are immediate, speeding up the evaluation process and academic decision-making.
