English for employability: Why teaching general English is not enough

Admissions teams rely on English test scores to make high-stakes decisions. If there is any doubt about the integrity of those scores, the entire process can be compromised. Fraudulent results or weak security measures can lead to delays, rejections and reputational damage for institutions and for agents who recommended the test. That is why security is a top priority for Pearson and a defining feature of PTE Express.

"Secure by design" and what sets PTE Express apart

PTE Express incorporates multiple layers of protection to guarantee authenticity and fairness:

• Biometric ID verification: Every test taker's identity is confirmed using advanced biometric checks, reducing risks of impersonation.
• AI-Enabled monitoring: AI continuously monitors the test session to detect any suspicious behaviour in real time.
• Fraud detection protocols: Our built-in algorithms flag anomalies and prevent any score manipulation.
• Remote proctoring: Live and automated proctoring ensures that the test environment remains secure when taken from home.

These measures work together to create a testing experience that institutions can trust and students can feel confident about.

Transparency builds confidence

Security is not just about technology: it is also about communication. Pearson provides clear guidelines on how PTE Express maintains its integrity, giving universities and families peace of mind. When you share these details with your customers, you reinforce your role as a knowledgeable advisor who prioritizes quality and fairness.

The impact on institutions and agents

For universities, security means reliability. Admissions officers can confidently accept PTE Express scores, as they know they meet a rigorous standard. For agents, recommending PTE Express strengthens your reputation. You are not just offering speed and convenience: you are also providing a solution backed by global expertise and a commitment to integrity.

Speed without compromise

One of the most impressive aspects of PTE Express is its combination of robust security and rapid turnaround. Students can receive certified results within 48 hours, enabling them to meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality. This balance of speed and security is what makes PTE Express a game-changer for US-bound students and the agents that support them.

Lead with security in your conversations

When presenting PTE Express to students or institutional partners, emphasize its security features alongside its convenience. Highlight biometric checks, AI-monitoring and fraud prevention as key differentiators. These elements resonate strongly with universities that prioritize integrity and families who value fairness when making investments. 

Adults often spend over half the workday on "busywork" plus hours each week on email: long study sessions aren’t realistic. But busy schedules don’t have to stop your progress in English. The solution is short, consistent, contextual speaking practice with fast feedback. With the right system, 10–20 minutes a day is enough to build confidence, fluency and clearer pronunciation. This learner-friendly guide shares a step-by-step, time-efficient approach grounded in microlearning and real-life conversation.

Core principle:

Consistent speaking practice improves fluency and pronunciation more than an occasional long study session does, especially when the speaking practice mirrors real situations such as ordering food, joining meetings or interviewing.

What does this look like in practice?

• Predictable routines: Same time, short sessions.
• Real-life contexts: Work, travel, daily interactions.
• Quick feedback loops: Record → adjust → repeat.

Use microlearning to turbocharge your sessions: essentially, focus on one skill only for each session, and keep it under 20 minutes. These powerful, focused and – crucially – short sessions fit rest periods and commutes, making daily practice easier to repeat and track. With exercises like quick role-plays, mini-dialogues and brief listening-then-speaking bursts, practice can be fun and energizing too. Follow our five practice tips and make learning work for your lifestyle.

Teaching large language classes can feel overwhelming, but research and practice consistently show that scale is a design challenge, not an impossible challenge. With intentional course structure, active learning routines and the right technology, instructors can create engaging, rigorous and humane learning environments even in high-enrolment contexts. The strategies below focus on what works at scale.

Challenges of large language classes

A “large class” has no universal definition. In the UK it may begin around 25–30 students; in the U.S., 35+; in many developing contexts, 60 or more. Regardless of the threshold, size amplifies common teaching challenges: