Pearson and Westermann to offer English assessments in German schools

Assessments and preparation tools for schools

Westermann will offer Pearson's PTE Academic and Versant English assessments through its education program. The companies said the arrangement is intended to help learners gain English language credentials for their next steps in education and work.

Students will also have access to printed and AI-enabled tools designed to support preparation. The assessments will give schools, educators and learners a route to demonstrate English proficiency to universities, employers and governments, according to Pearson and Westermann.

A response to workplace and education demands

Pearson said English is a core workplace skill in Germany. In the country's national labour survey, 68% of workers said foreign languages were necessary in their jobs, with English the most commonly used. English is also the most studied foreign language in upper secondary schools across the European Union, according to the source's reference to Eurostat.

The companies position the collaboration as a way to connect classroom learning with formal proof of language ability. PTE Academic and Versant assessments are intended to help learners prepare for the linguistic demands of higher education and the workplace, while giving them credentials they can use with relevant institutions.

Sharon Hague, President of Pearson English Language Learning, said: “The English language can open doors to study, to work and to the wider world, but a learner needs to have the right tools to enhance their learning as well as a certification to prove their skills.” Hague added that Pearson could help German educators provide learners with the tools and certification they need by working with Westermann.

What the partnership means for learners

For schools, the partnership combines Westermann's classroom and educational publishing expertise with Pearson's English assessment and certification offering. Westermann was founded in 1838 and is described by the companies as one of Germany's leading providers of educational publishing and learning solutions.

Nicole Bornemann, Managing Director of Westermann Service und Beratung GmbH, said the program would provide teachers with tools to assess students' language proficiency. She also said students could use the tests to prepare for higher education and the workplace while obtaining proof of their skills.

Pearson describes itself as the world's lifelong learning company. It serves customers in nearly 200 countries and has approximately 18,000 employees. Westermann is headquartered in Braunschweig and provides teaching and learning materials for settings ranging from early childhood through vocational training.