Sardor Radjabov
Sardor Radjabov says the British Council plays a leading role in the field of language-skills assessment, and it would be impossible to achieve significant results in the development of this area without it.
Sardor Radjabov is Deputy Director of the State Test Center, which falls under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (STC). Every year, the centre tests applicants to higher educational institutions in Uzbekistan in more than 40 types of tests across a variety of disciplines. The British Council is a vital partner in assessing knowledge and skills in English.
“My first interaction with the British Council was in 2004,” says Sardor. “I took IELTS at the British Council testing centre for admission to the University of Westminster in Tashkent. At that time, I had no idea that my life would be so closely connected with testing and that fate would bring us together more than once.”
Currently, the British Council and the National Testing Center have entered into a memorandum for joint work on the Aptis for Teachers programme, which is conducted online on the basis of the General Teaching Council.
Aptis for Teachers is a qualification test for English teachers. The programme assesses teaching skills and English-language proficiency and promotes professional development for teachers. Educators who complete the Aptis program are eligible to receive a monthly bonus in addition to their base salary. Tests are held at the State Testing Center once a month, and control and evaluation are carried out in conjunction with the British Council. After passing the exam, the test results can be obtained within 72 hours in the applicant’s account.
Radjabov says that, despite the programme being recently launched in Uzbekistan in 2021, there are already many people who want to take the test.
“The results of the exams indicate that, in recent years, there have been positive changes in the educational system,” he says. “The level of advanced training of English teachers is having a positive effect on the performance of schoolchildren and university students.”
The British Council and the GTC have repeatedly organised seminars, webinars and training modules for English teachers aimed at improving basic knowledge. Among the most important was a seminar on technology held by Dr Victoria Clark, British Council Manager for Global Evaluation Solutions. During Dr Clark's training sessions, teachers studied the theory and practice of technology and mastered computer technical skills for programmes used to develop test elements.
“As an official partner of the British Council, I am proud that I can contribute to the development of our country and to organising Aptis for Teachers tests,” says Radjabov. “In honour of the anniversary, I offer my gratitude to the British Council for supporting the development of Uzbekistan in the field of higher and public education. In this special year, when the British Council celebrates 25 years of activity in Uzbekistan, I wish the staff continued success and believe that the Council’s projects will continue to be in high demand. It is a joy to work with the team of professionals that the British Council has brought together. Our partnership plays an important role in assessing language skills, and I highly appreciate our joint work.”