Thread: An English Test for Immigrants?

An English Test for Immigrants?
[Allan Wall]

At the Mexican university in which I work, I’ve recently been applying and grading TOEFL tests. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a standardized English exam. In fact, it’s the world’s most widely recognized such exam. The TOEFL is used in many countries. In U.S. universities it’s used as an entrance exam. Here in Mexico it’s used in some institutions as an English placement exam.

So why don’t we apply some sort of standardized English test to prospective legal immigrants to the U.S.A.? Since so many people want to emigrate to the U.S., why not be more selective? We could apply it to all prospective legal adult immigrants, or at least to all heads of families.

Of course, some would immediately cry “discriminationâ€

Absolutely agree....first no more family-based visas.....second, all immigrant visa applicants should take the TOEFL.....English language skills have a strong correlation with assimilation and financial self-sufficiency for immigrants. We all know that...and it's universally true in any nation...those immigrants who do not speak, read, write, use the common language of the host nation are the least assimilated and the most likely to remain in poverty.