ITB Consulting GmbH

How to Predict Language Learning Success Mastering a foreign language is no longer a mystery - it can be accurately predicted! Whether you're an international student embarking on a new academic journey or a migrant navigating life in a new country, fluency in a foreign language is invaluable. Introducing the Language Learning Ability Test (LLAT), a tool designed to forecast success in acquiring a new language. In the summer of 2023, we unveiled a 30-minute Spanish version specifically tailored for nurses in Mexico undergoing German language training. These nurses are preparing to transition to professional roles in German clinics, and our tests were administered at the Centro Cultural Aleman de San Luis Potosi language school, where approximately 30 nurses are actively learning German. Fast forward to the present, and we've analyzed the efficacy of the selection process - a combination of the LLAT and interviews - in predicting language learning success within the first 8 months of German language immersion. Success criteria were A1 and A2 exams done in the school as well as the respective official Goethe exams A1 and A2. The findings are striking: both the LLAT and the interview demonstrate a remarkable ability to forecast future proficiency in German. What's more, when utilized in tandem, their predictive power surpasses that of either tool used in isolation. Despite the modest sample size, these results reaffirm what studies with other versions of the LLAT have already suggested: predicting success in learning a foreign language is not only possible but remarkably efficient! Join us in revolutionizing language education and empowering learners worldwide to reach their full linguistic potential.

Results of our Soft Skills Survey: Unlocking the Key to Academic Success Curious about the soft skills that are important for study success? Our ongoing survey has drawn insights from 66 higher education experts across 12 countries (Austria, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America), representing a diverse range of roles, from Admissions Managers and Lecturers to Deans and beyond. Here's a glimpse into our interim findings: Participants: Admissions Managers, Lecturers/Professors, Deans, Program Managers, Academic Advisors, Department Heads/Chairs, Students, and even two Presidents. Disciplines: Across the academic spectrum, with a notable concentration in Economics. Top Four Soft Skills: Motivation to perform, Perseverance and resilience, Openness and curiosity and Personal initiative emerge as the most important soft skills, recognized by the experts. Highly Important: Diligence, Honesty, Confidence in success and Empathy are also very important for academic excellence. Noteworthy: Rulce-consciousness, Consensus orientation and Outgoingness, while rated slightly lower, still command attention, with around 40% of experts acknowledging their importance. Dive Deeper: For a detailed breakdown of the results or to explore how these findings align with your own insights, feel free to reach out to me. What's Next? Using various scales in our personality test PESA, we'll craft a version featuring these soft skills. Join us in upcoming norming studies, where we'll collect student data in both high stakes and low stakes contexts. Connect with me for participation details! #AcademicSuccess #SoftSkills #HigherEducation #StudySkills #SurveyInsights #PESApersonalitytest #FutureOfLearning

Worldwide Admission Test Dates for 2024 As in 2023, four of our admission tests are available worldwide on fixed test dates. Institutions of Higher Education also have the option to reserve individual test days for their applicants. Tests are conducted online with video supervision, offering flexibility through various time slots, allowing prospective students everywhere in the world to take the tests at their convenience, as long as they have internet access and a webcam. The scheduled dates for 2024 are as follows: -       February 24th -       April 27th -       May 25th -       June 29th -       November 30th The following tests are available worldwide: -       TM-WISO: Test for graduate programs in economics -       ITB-Business: Test for undergraduate programs in economics -       ITB-Science: Test for undergraduate programs in science -       ITB-Technology: Test for undergraduate programs in maths, engineering, and computer science Test taker fee is 100 € for TM-WISO and 90 € for the other tests (including VAT). Participants will receive non-falsifiable test reports after completing the test. Results are provided in standard values (mean 100, standard deviation 10) and percentile ranks, based on norming groups consisting mainly of applicants for universities in the D-A-CH countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Tests are developed and evaluated according to international psychometric standards and implemented in accordance with EU data protection rules. For more information on testing conditions, test development, quality criteria, scientific studies, test dates, and free preparation tests, please visit our website (link in the comments).

Could Albert Einstein study with you today? Back in 1895, Einstein, a brilliant young German, sought admission as international student at what would later become ETH Zurich in Switzerland but faced initial rejection due to missing prerequisites. At that time, he lacked a German Abitur or a Swiss Matura. Recognizing the need to evaluate more than just formal qualifications, the "Eidgenössische polytechnische Hochschule" Zurich offered Einstein the opportunity to take a study aptitude test. He excelled in the science section but failed in the French exam, a crucial requirement in Zurich at that time. Despite the setback, Einstein persevered. He successfully passed his Matura with excellent grades (except in French) and gained admission to Zurich a year later. His journey as an international student proved immensely successful, leading to professorships in Prague and Berlin before emigrating to the USA in 1933, where he became a professor at Princeton. Lessons for Today: Look at Academic Aptitude Einstein's journey prompts us to reflect our approach to admissions for international students. Should we primarily rely on formal qualifications as university entrance qualifications which have to be fully equivalent with those of our home country? Or should we prioritize objective assessments of academic potential? In today's interconnected world, talent knows no borders, and access to online aptitude tests offers a global solution. How do Higher Education institutions in your country approach this? Are aptitude tests or interviews part of your admission process for international students? Which other methods do you use? Share your experiences and insights! In Germany, universities historically adhered to formal qualifications, emphasizing equivalence to the Abitur and sometimes rejecting international applicants or directing them to preparation years without assessing their aptitude. However, times have changed. Most German states now allow universities greater flexibility in admitting international students who excel in an aptitude test. This shift emphasizes the growing significance of aptitude tests, where applicants can demonstrate their capabilities, opening doors for exceptional talents. Let's have a dialogue on redefining admissions globally. Share your thoughts on the importance of talent in admissions, your experiences with aptitude tests, and the evolving policies in your region.