The Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute, Chulalongkorn University, organizes the CU-TFL, Thai Language Proficiency test for foreigners  

The Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute, Chulalongkorn University, organizes the CU-TFL, a Thai language proficiency test for foreigners, based on international standards. It has invited many universities in the country to take part in creating a national standard, and also now offers the test abroad, such as in Taiwan, China, and Japan. 

TOEFL and TOEIC are well-known English proficiency tests, especially for those planning to study abroad or work for companies and organizations that require English language certification. Similarly, Thai also has its own proficiency tests. Take a look at the examples of the Thai reading proficiency tests from CU-TFL below. Whether you’re a native Thai speaker or a foreigner learning Thai, give it a try! 

CU-TFL (Chulalongkorn University Thai Proficiency Test of Thai as a Foreign Language)  is a test designed and organized as a standard by the Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute, Chulalongkorn University, since 2013 until now. 

“The CU-TFL test is created to test one’s Thai language use in listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. The test taker can test all skills or choose to test each skill separately. After the test, the test taker will receive a certificate and a level measurement result from the Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute, Chulalongkorn University,” said Associate Professor Dr. Wirote Aroonmanakun, Director of the Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute. 

In the past, most of the people who came to test their Thai language proficiency were foreigners who used Thai and wanted to have their abilities assessed. Some came to take the test to avail of the certificate for salary adjustments in their workplace and others are international students who study Thai as a second language and come to test their Thai language skills to use in applying for jobs or further study.   

The Beginning of the CU-TFL Test 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wirot recounted the beginning of the establishment of the institute and the implementation of the CU-TFL test, “In 1999, Professor Emeritus Dr. Pranee Kullavanijaya established the Language for Communication Center, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, for the Thai language test to measure how well freshmen can use the Thai language in both reading and writing.” 

“After collecting initial data from students for some time, it was found that students’ ability to use Thai was not up to the level expected. Therefore, the courses “Paragraph Writing” and “Thai Reading at the University Level” were opened to allow students to learn to enhance their Thai language skills. At the same time, academic services were provided to train Thai language knowledge to outsiders. Later, there was a need for a Thai language proficiency test. Professor Emeritus Dr. Pranee therefore developed the Thai language test standards.” 

CU-TFL Thai Language Proficiency Test, International Standard 

From the intention to develop Thai language testing standards, Professor Emeritus Dr. Pranee then set up a team to study Thai language testing criteria from many standards, including CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), an international standard framework from Europe used to describe language proficiency in all 4 skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing), ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), and ILR (Interagency Language Roundtable), an organization that develops and sets language proficiency standards from the United States. 

“Our test-making process will filter the test to ensure quality. There are test-makers and once the test is finished, a small group of committee members will consider whether the test is usable, whether the questions and answers are understandable, whether there are appropriate deceptions, or whether it is too easy.” 

“Once this set is passed and the revisions are complete, the exams will be sent to the main committee to review the overall picture and look at the details of each question to see if they are valid or not. There are two rounds of checking. Once the main group passes, the exams are given to volunteers to take the exams and the results are used to evaluate whether each question is valid or not. For example, if everyone can do some questions correctly, it may be too easy. Or if everyone gets some questions incorrectly, the exams must be re-analyzed. All of these are processes that we do before using each question in the actual exam. There are steps and a fair amount of expenses. The Institute does not think of this work as making a profit, but rather to create a standard for measuring Thai language skills,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wirote explained the exam creation process, which the institute began testing in 2010 and opened for standardized exams in 2013 onwards. 

CU-TFL measures all-round skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 

The CU-TFL test assesses the tester’s Thai language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The details of the test are as follows: 

• Listening: The test takes 1 hour and is a multiple-choice test. There is a recording to listen to and answer questions to test how much you understand and can answer questions. 
• Reading: The test takes 1 hour. It ranges from easy to difficult reading to see whether the person can understand, grasp, interpret, and even read complex texts. 
• Writing: The test takes 1 hour and measures the ability to express opinions, use language correctly, sequence ideas, and reason in writing. 
• Speaking: The test takes about 45 minutes, depending on the speaking ability. The speaking test is scored by two people: the first person who mainly talks to the tester, and the other person who observes the responses and scores. 

The results of each skill test (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) are divided into 5 levels. For example, Thai listening ability is divided into 5 levels: 

1. Novice 
2. Intermediate 
3. Advanced 
4. Superior 
5. Distinguished 

“The interpretation of what level the test taker is at depends on the test we design. If we can do this, what ability does this measure, and how many points will we get? Finally, we calculate the total and indicate the level.” 

An example of measuring the listening tester’s level is that those who can listen at the Intermediate level are those who understand sentences and may understand short conversations or short stories about everyday life. However, they must speak clearly and use standard language. Those who can listen at the Advanced level, are those who can grasp the main points of what they hear, which is a clear presentation and spoken at a normal speed. 

In terms of the criteria, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wirote said that the CU-TFL scores are the same as the CEFR and ACTFL. “The Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute uses the same criteria for assessing the level as the ACTFL from America, which is using the Plus score. For example, a tester is at the Intermediate level but performs somewhat better than the general Intermediate level. The tester can do some things like the Advanced level but cannot do everything. We will give a Plus score to show that we are close to reaching the Advanced level. The report will show the level and score, but the important thing is to measure the level of competence, similar to grading, to determine what grade is received.” 

CU-TFL sets national examination standards 

The Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute organizes the CU-TFL examination five times a year. Currently, the institute is in the process of signing an MOU with Chiang Mai University, Srinakharinwirot University, Khon Kaen University, and other universities to jointly establish a center for testing the proficiency of Thai as a foreign language to develop the test to meet national standards. 

“In the beginning, the institute will issue the test questions and let these universities act as testing centers using the same test questions. The same exam date and time, which the institute organizes training for test writers and test organizers every year.” In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wirote said that universities with MOUs can send their teaching staff to join the training so that they can understand the principles of test writing and evaluation of the institute and will become part of the test writer committee, which will not be limited to Chulalongkorn University personnel only. 

Organizing the CU-TFL abroad 

The testing is not only organized domestically, but the CU-TFL test also flies overseas. In the past, testing sites have been opened in Taiwan, China, and Japan. 

“These are countries that do business with Thailand, especially southern China, which is adjacent to Thailand. Some universities teach Thai language. They want a standardized test to measure students’ abilities. Instead of organizing the test themselves, universities in China have chosen the CU-TFL test as an ongoing test. Thai language test takers can apply to organizations abroad. When there are about 30 applicants, the Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute will fly staff to administer the test, come back to check them, and send the certificate of results.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wirote said that organizing the test abroad has been ongoing since 2013. Taiwan organizes the test twice a year, Japan once a year, and China organizes the test periodically. 

“This year, China has a policy to promote foreign languages. Many universities have contacted the institute to request the test. Negotiations are currently being held. They may also organize the test in Chengdu on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations,” the Director added. 

Focusing on developing tests to meet the needs of the target group 

The CU-TFL test has been developed and adjusted over time. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wirote talked about future plans, saying, “We may create more than 1 level of tests. Candidates can choose their level and take the test at that level. The advantage is that they do not have to take many tests, so they can focus on the desired level. The first set may be for beginner to intermediate level, and the second set is for people at intermediate to advanced level, to clearly separate the groups because some people already study Thai and have a fairly good knowledge of the Thai language. This group does not need to take the beginner-level test again.” 

As the “Thai language proficiency test manager,” the Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute does not offer Thai language teaching for foreigners but rather offers training courses for Thai language teachers to teach foreigners so that they can learn about the institute’s Thai language standard measurement approach and then design their teaching to meet the target or is consistent with the institute’s Thai language proficiency measurement. 

The Sirindhorn Thai Language Institute offers Thai language courses to students. For the general public (native speakers of Thai), the institute provides Thai language training, such as writing notes, and letters, writing minutes of meetings, creative media writing, and public speaking in Thai, etc. 

Foreigners interested in taking the CU-TFL test and those interested in learning Thai for communication can visit https://www.sti.chula.ac.th/.   

Answer to the Thai Reading Skills Test: เรื่องผิวหนังอักเสบ (Dermatitis) 
Correct answer: ง. อุณหภูมิของอากาศ (D. Air temperature) 

 

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