By Dom Hebblethwaite, CIOL Head of Membership and Ventures

A couple of years on from launching Certified English, Dom reflects on what the test has revealed about the global role of English and why formal recognition of professional speaking skills matters more than ever.

The common thread

Here's something that might seem obvious but is worth saying out loud: every single CIOL member has English in their language pair. Whether you're a language consultant advising on entering the Italian market, an academic in Amman, or an interpreter in Buenos Aires, English is the thread that connects you to the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), and, in many cases, to the wider world of professional opportunity.

Around 1.6 billion people worldwide speak English to a useful level but are not first language speakers. English has become the default operating system of much of the global conversation. It is used by thought leaders, academics, business decision-makers, and millions of people of all backgrounds who want a better life or want to make a difference in the world.

At CIOL, we encourage the learning of all languages. Our Vice-President David Crystal has spoken about how bilingualism lets you have the best of both worlds: a new language opens doors, while your first language preserves your sense of identity. But our Royal Charter also commits us to supporting adult second language learners. And that raises an important question: if all these professionals are using their spoken English at a high level every day, shouldn't there be a proper way to recognise that?

A gap that needed filling

For years, professionals who had invested enormous effort in mastering English had limited options for proving it. Academic tests like IELTS or TOEFL served university admissions well, but they were never designed for someone who has been using English professionally for fifteen years and wants to demonstrate that on a CV or LinkedIn profile. There was no credential that said: this person can hold their own in a professional conversation, in real time, at a high level.

That gap is what CIOL Certified English was built to fill. A specialist speaking test, it is a real one-to-one conversation with an expert interviewer, designed specifically for professionals who need their spoken English to be formally recognised.

What candidates are telling us

Since launching a couple of years ago, candidates have taken the test on every continent. What stands out is not the diversity of backgrounds, though that has been impressive, but how consistent the motivation is. These are people who already use English at a high level. They are not beginners. They simply want what they have worked hard to achieve to carry the recognition it deserves.

Ka Lun Chui (Eric), now an MCIL, found that the Certified English certification and Professional English Speaker designation gave him an extra credential and greater confidence in his professional standing.

Yuliia Leshchenko, also an MCIL, described it as both a rewarding and motivating experience, one that allowed her to formally validate her skills and gave her the confidence to pursue new opportunities.

And Marie Benzo, reflecting on the test itself, said:

B2 and C1: two levels that matter

Two designations capture what matters most in a professional context. CIOL Working English Speaker, aligned to CEFR B2, recognises the ability to express opinions, participate actively in meetings, and handle most professional interactions effectively. It is a genuinely useful level, the point at which English stops being a barrier and starts being a reliable professional tool.

CIOL Professional English Speaker, at C1 or above, is our gold standard: the level at which you can communicate with ease in professional, business, or academic settings, articulate complex ideas clearly, and hold your own in any workplace discussion.

The difference matters. B2 gets the job done. C1 is where English becomes something you command rather than something you manage.

The Register

In the last few months we have also launched the Certified English Register. Every successful candidate now receives a permanent, publicly searchable listing, which means an employer, client, or institution does not have to take anyone's word for it. They can verify the certification independently, in seconds. In a world where self-declared language skills on a LinkedIn profile are essentially unverifiable, that kind of independent confirmation has real value.

A credential, a pathway, or both

For some candidates, Certified English is the destination: a formal, verifiable proof of their professional English that sits on a CV alongside other qualifications, backed by the Register listing. For others, it opens the door to something wider.

The Professional English Speaker designation (C1) satisfies the language evidence required for Associate (ACIL) or Member (MCIL) membership, depending on experience.

The Working English Speaker designation (B2), still a strong professional level, provides a fast-track route to Career Affiliate membership.

Either way, the candidate ends up with recognition from the UK's only Royal Charter body for linguists.

As Eric put it:

"Unlike IELTS or TOEFL, Certified English is the only internationally recognised CEFR-aligned proof specifically showcasing speaking skills. I highly recommend L2 learners give it a go."

We have written recently about why this pathway is valuable for Chinese professionals and for Arabic-speaking professionals, but the logic applies just as much to a young graduate looking to stand out in a competitive international job market as it does to a seasoned professional. If English is your working language and you use it at a high level, that deserves proper recognition.

Looking ahead

The demand for formal, professional-level English certification is not going away. If anything, as AI makes written communication easier to produce in any language, the premium on demonstrable, real-world speaking skills will only increase. You can use AI to draft an email in English. You cannot use it to hold your own when spoken interaction is required, whether that is in liaison, in a boardroom or for any other professional purposes.

CIOL Certified English is how they prove it.