Learn about Persian proficiency tests
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| Michael: What are some common Persian proficiency tests? |
| Negar: And how do I choose the right one for me? |
| Michael: At PersianPod101.com, we hear these questions often. Imagine the following situation: Emma Emami is talking to Sousan Soheyli about her attempts to motivate herself to study Persian harder. She says, |
| "I have to take the SAMFA test." |
| Emma Emami: من باید آزمون سامفا بدم. (man baayad aazmoon-e saamfaa bedam.) |
| Dialogue |
| Emma Emami: من باید آزمون سامفا بدم. (man baayad aazmoon-e saamfaa bedam.) |
| Sousan Soheyli: آزمون سنجش استاندارد مهارت های زبان فارسی؟ (aazmoon-e sanjesh-e estaandaard-e mahaarat-haa-ye zabaan-e faarsi?) |
| Michael: Once more with the English translation. |
| Emma Emami: من باید آزمون سامفا بدم. (man baayad aazmoon-e saamfaa bedam.) |
| Michael: "I have to take the SAMFA test." |
| Sousan Soheyli: آزمون سنجش استاندارد مهارت های زبان فارسی؟ (aazmoon-e sanjesh-e estaandaard-e mahaarat-haa-ye zabaan-e faarsi?) |
| Michael: "The Standard Persian Language Proficiency Test?" |
Lesson focus |
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| Michael: In this conversation, we hear Emma say, |
| Negar: من باید آزمون سامفا بدم. (man baayad aazmoon-e saamfaa bedam.) |
| Michael: This means, "I have to take the SAMFA test." in English. Sousan's response is |
| Negar: آزمون سنجش استاندارد مهارت های زبان فارسی؟ (aazmoon-e sanjesh-e estaandaard-e mahaarat-haa-ye zabaan-e faarsi?) |
| Michael: which means "The Standard Persian Language Proficiency Test?" |
| Michael: As a new Persian language learner, you may be interested in the standardized, internationally recognized Persian proficiency exams that can be useful when applying to international universities in Iran or for job positions with an Iranian company. In this lesson, we'll talk more about the most common Persian proficiency tests you're likely to encounter. |
| In the dialogue, we hear the acronym SAMFA. So what exactly does this test name refer to? And what other proficiency tests are available? |
| To begin, the SAMFA, also known as the Standard Persian Language Proficiency Test, |
| Negar: آزمون سنجش استاندارد مهارت های زبان فارسی (aazmoon-e sanjesh-e estaandaard-e mahaarat-haa-ye zabaan-e faarsi?) |
| Michael: is considered a comprehensive Farsi test and is conducted via the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology of Iran. |
| Negar: وزارت علوم، تحقیقات و فناوری ایران (vezaarat-e oloom, tahqiqaat, va fannaavari-ye iraan) |
| Michael: This test is broken down into four sections, based on the four language domains: speaking, |
| Negar: صحبت کردن (sohbat kardan) |
| Michael: reading |
| Negar: خواندن (khaandan) |
| Michael: writing, |
| Negar: نوشتن (neveshtan) |
| Michael: and listening, |
| Negar: شنیدن (shenidan) |
| Michael: The test comprises 240 points; each skill is allotted 60 points. Universities may decide on an individual basis the total minimum point value that will be considered satisfactory for admission purposes. |
| It's also important to note that there is a SAMFA General test |
| Negar: آزمون سامفای عمومی (aazmoon-e saamfaa-ye omoomi) |
| Michael: and a SAMFA Academic test |
| Negar: آزمون سامفای دانشگاهی (aazmoon-e saamfaa-ye daaneshgaahi) |
| Michael: The academic test is additionally broken down into the categories of "Basic Science and Engineering," |
| Negar: علوم پایه و مهندسی (oloom-e paaye va mohandesi) |
| Michael: "Human Sciences," |
| Nagar: علوم انسانی (oloom-e ensaani) |
| Michael: "Medical Sciences" |
| Negar: علوم پزشکی (oloom-e pezeshki) |
| Michael: and "Social Sciences." |
| Negar: علوم اجتماعی (oloom-e ejtemaa'i) |
| Michael: The SAMFA test takes place at least twice every year. Most students will take the test at the International Academic Persian Language Centres |
| Negar: مراکز دانشگاهی بین المللی زبان فارسی (maraakez-e daaneshgaahi-ye beynolmelali-ye zabaan-e faarsi) |
| Michael: and at Persian Language and Literature and Iranian Studies centers abroad. |
| Negar: مراکز زبان و ادبیات فارسی و مطالعات ایران در خارج از کشور (maraakez-e zabaan va adabiaat-e faarsi va motaale'aat-e iraan dar khaarej az keshvar) |
| Michael: As a Persian language learner, there are a few other language proficiency exams to consider. For example, AMFA or the Persian Language Proficiency Test: |
| Negar: آزمون مهارت زبان فارسی (aazmoon-e mahaarat-e zabaan-e faarsi) |
| Michael: This test is held by the Saadi Foundation |
| Negar: بنیاد سعدی (bonyaad-e sa'di) |
| Michael: and the certificate can be used for applying for a work permit or establishment of a joint company in Iran. |
| OXPET, or the Oxford Persian Test, is another comprehensive language test that also focuses on the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. |
| Negar: خواندن، نوشتن، شنیدن، و صحبت کردن (khaandan, neveshtan, shenidan, va sohbat kardan) |
| Michael: Still, other students may consider exams such as the Computerized Assessment of Proficiency (CAP), an online exam that addresses novice and intermediate levels of proficiency. The test focuses on three skills: reading, writing, and presentational speaking. |
| [Summary] |
| Michael: In this lesson, we had a look at some of the most common Persian proficiency tests, which are |
| Negar: SAMFA, AMFA, OXPET, and CAP. |
| Michael: You can find further information on their websites, which will be linked in the lesson notes. If you plan to move to a Persian speaking country, your future university or workplace might ask you to take one of these. |
Outro |
| Michael: Do you have any more questions? We're here to answer them! |
| Negar: خداحافظ (khodaahaafez) |
| Michael: See you soon! |
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