HSE University-Developed Linguatest System Launched in Nizhny Novgorod
Linguatest, Russia’s first foreign-language certification system, has been launched in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The system was developed by specialists from HSE University in cooperation with the National Accreditation Agency and the Prosveshchenie group of companies, who are providing certification and publishing support for the project. Nizhny Novgorod is the first city after Moscow to offer testing under the system.
HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov explained that the launch of the Russian testing certification system is aimed at replacing foreign equivalents such as IELTS and TOEFL, which are currently unavailable to Russians. He highlighted the particular significance of the launch of the first regional testing centre. He noted that unlike foreign analogues, all the personal data of those who undergo testing will be stored in Russia. ‘We plan to develop the Linguatest system, increase the number of foreign languages, add a test for Russian as a foreign language, and expand this domestic system across the country and beyond,’ he said.
The first testing session under the Linguatest system took place in Moscow at the end of 2022. Four people will receive certificates based on the results. So far, sixteen people have signed up for the second testing session, which is planned to take place next week.
Lemka Izmaylova, Director of the National Accreditation Agency, said ‘We are very satisfied with the results of the first testing session. The participants demonstrated excellent results. We hope that the geographical scope of Linguatest will continue to expand.’
After taking the test, participants receive a certificate demonstrating their level of English proficiency. The certificate is printed on security-marked paper and includes the participant’s personal information, test results, and a unique ID number which is added to the National Accreditation Agency register. Certificates are valid indefinitely.
During the press conference, Ekaterina Kolesnikova, Head of the HSE University School of Foreign Languages, expressed her hope that Linguatest certificates will be recognised abroad. ‘The creation of Linguatest was based on the best domestic practices for teaching foreign languages, with consideration of the fact that in the last several years, all international exams have been aligned with each other,’ she noted. ‘We developed a re-creditation scale, and the reverse side of the Linguatest certificate outlines all of the competencies demonstrated by the candidate at their level. Therefore, we hope that Linguatest will be recognised by our partners overseas.’
Prosveshchenie group President Mikhail Kozhevnikov stressed that the launch of the system is aimed at giving Russian citizens access to a high-quality certified domestic English-language exam in light of the growing demand for English proficiency in the labour market.
Andrey Sanosyan, Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, was also in attendance. ‘The region’s businesses actively operate in foreign markets,’ he said. ‘As such, demand for this kind of knowledge certification remains high. I believe it is significant that Nizhny Novgorod is the first city after Moscow in which it is possible to obtain a certificate.’
The availability of the Linguatest system could become another point of attraction for the region, as demand for such services remains high and businesses will gain access to new and objective tools for assessing the language proficiency of employees.
‘Linguatest expands the potential for educational tourism in the region,’ said Anna Blyakhman, Director of HSE University-Nizhny Novgorod. ‘Nizhny Novgorod is an educational centre, and it is very valuable that people interested in taking the test can come here from all over the country.’