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ETS Global and the French Ministry of Armed Forces

10 years of collaboration for English-language Certification. The French Ministry of Armed Forces has chosen the TOEIC tests to to certify the English-proficiency level of its future officers.

On September 13, 2022, Amit Sevak, President and CEO of ETS, came to the Ecole de Guerre, a military training institution in Paris, as part of the partnership between ETS Global, a subsidiary of ETS, and the French Ministry of Armed Forces. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the ongoing partnership, the school’s needs in terms of test preparation tools and the benefits of English-language certification.

English proficiency, a must-have skill for officers

As a member of the United Nations Security Council, and to conduct multinational military operations, France must ensure English-language proficiency among its military teams. According to the Official Journal of the French Senate, it isvital for the proper execution of military operationsthatpersonnelbe able to express themselves in English. To this end, the Ecole de Guerre has been working with ETS Global since 2012 to certify the English ability of the school's trainee officers every year.

TOEIC tests assess the English-language skills of future military officers 

The TOEIC tests are the global standard for measuring English-language communication skills in a professional context. The Ecole de Guerre uses the TOEIC Listening and Reading test and the TOEIC Speaking and Writing tests to evaluate and certify its future officers’ four English-communication skills: oral and written comprehension, and oral and written expression.  

The TOEIC tests allow the school to measure the progress of trainee officers and offer a complete picture of their English-language proficiency. A TOEIC score, an internationally-recognised certification, allows them to demonstrate their level of English anywhere in the world. 

ETS is pleased to count the French Ministry of Armed Forces among its long-time partners and to contribute to the development of the skills of men and women who will have important roles in international relations.

Amit Sevak, President and CEO of ETS

A certification serving officers throughout their careers

By tailoring its services to the needs of the Ecole de Guerre, ETS Global enables the Ecole de Guerre to enjoy significant autonomy in administrating its test sessions. The Ecole de Guerre organises many test sessions each year and administers them at its different sites on dates of its choice.  

TOEIC scores are a real asset throughout the careers of future officers across all divisions and roles. ETS offers valid, reliable and fair scores correlated to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and STANAG (common administrative and operational procedures between NATO members to allow interactions between different nations).  

"We are celebrating a decade of collaboration with ETS Global this year, and we are particularly proud to have been able to offer officers effective confirmation of their abilities. It is part of our mission to serve those who serve," says Ms. Cleret, Head of the English Language Office of Higher Military Education. 

About the Ecole de Guerre

The successor to several organisations dedicated to higher military education, the modern Ecole de Guerre was created in 1993 under the name Collège interarmées de défense. It replaced the senior military schools of each division of the army: the Ecole supérieure de la gendarmerie nationale, the Ecole supérieure de guerre interarmées and the Cours supérieur interarmées. It adopted the name Ecole de Guerre in 2011. The Ecole de Guerre trains the future leadership corps of the French and allied armies.  

The school consists of: 

- More than 300 officers receiving training each year from French Land Forces, the Navy, the Air Force, the Gendarmerie (a branch of law enforcement) and a range of agencies (including the Délégationgénérale pour l’armement, the Service de Santé des armées, the Service du commissariat des armées, and others)

- About 70 nationalities

- About 50 executive staff members and people directly supporting training

- Many external contributors.