Location: Galicia, Spain
In 2018, Trinity College London collaborated with the Galicia Ministry of Education to provide Integrated Skills in English (ISE) exams in secondary schools across the autonomous community.
This partnership continued for several years before a scope expansion in 2021, and Trinity College London remains Galicia’s preferred provider of English language testing.
Modern, integrated English language assessment
Hoping to monitor and improve English communication skills among learners in Galicia, the Ministry of Education sought international support in the form of an external exam.
Trinity College London was chosen, and the ISE four skills qualification (speaking, listening, reading and writing) was deemed the most appropriate choice of exam. ISE tests are conducted in an integrated, contemporary fashion, reflecting how these skills are used in the real world.
ISE levels are mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):
- ISE Foundation — CEFR level A2
- ISE I — CEFR level B1
- ISE II — CEFR level B2
- ISE III — CEFR level C1
- ISE IV — CEFR level C2
Collaborating with the Galician Government
After winning the first tender for the project in 2018, Trinity entered into an ongoing partnership with the Galicia Ministry of Education.
Schools would apply for the exams each year, detailing the number of candidates. The local government would then directly fund them, and Trinity would carry them out.
Ongoing preferred provider status
After tendering successfully in 2018, 2019 and 2020, the programme was deemed successful enough to expand its scope in 2021. This expansion came with the option for schools in the region to choose their preferred exam board from an approved list.
Though there are more options on the table now, Trinity is still the most popular choice for English language proficiency assessment in Galician education settings.