GED Exams For the Spanish-speaking Student
Spanish-speaking immigrants have an additional burden when they are enrolled in a predominantly English-speaking school; they have to break the language barrier in order to fully apply themselves to the school’s educational program. This is a reality which almost all Hispanic students encounter, and the result is discouraging; most of them drop out due to frustration or a lack of school support. As a result of not completing high school, their employment opportunities are severely affected. Fortunately, there is still a way to get around this predicament, by taking a GED exam, which is only recently offered in Spanish.
Although the move to offer the GED exams in Spanish has faced serious legislative opposition, since it undermines the need for a single national language, people are reaping the benefits of the option. A small percent of the total population of GED applicants take the exams in Spanish, and in states like California, there is no discriminatory distinction concerning the language in which the exam was taken, when it comes to recognizing the GED diploma.
The Spanish version of the GED test is essentially a direct translation of its English-language counterpart, which is created by the GED Testing Service - a department of the American Council Education which is based in the district capital. This measure is enforced in answer to the increasing demand for a second-language version of the exam, particularly on states with a significant Hispanic population. Although the exams are more practical for them to take in their mother language, it is nevertheless necessary for them to still have a working knowledge and understanding of English in order to be fully competitive in their employment fields. A lot of industry terms are in English, and contain language-specific context, that the need to understand them as is is of crucial importance.
In answer to the demand, state testing centers have also offered review classes in the Spanish language, wherein some of the Spanish-speaking students intend to take the exams in English, while others are preparing themselves for a few years before taking the test. Some also supplement the state-sponsored classes with professional tutoring, as provided by learning centers. In remote areas wherein applicants have no other means for furthering their academic development, the state representatives come to them and prepare them for the next-scheduled GED exams.
Resource materials for the GED exams are also available in the Spanish language, in print or electronic formats. These offer a combination of practical features, such as detailed explanations which are designed for those who are unfamiliar with how a textbook works; exercises, activities, and drills for learning reinforcement; a variety of visual aids, including charts and graphs, illustrations, and tables; a pre-evaluation diagnostic test; and an extensive sample of full-length trial tests. These materials are designed and written by professionals who have a working experience with GED applicants, and translated in close observation of the original context by bilingual teachers. Not only will students have a better understanding of the subject aspects of the GED exams they are about to take, but they will also have a competitive knowledge of the test formats and how they are taken, as well as the proper use of the tools which they are allowed to utilize with the test.