Have you ever wondered what role the optional language test plays in a BTS student’s curriculum? Well, this optional, often overlooked, test is much more than just a bonus. It can enhance your profile, broaden your education, and even differentiate you in the job market. Imagine: you master a language in addition to the required one, demonstrating your ability to adapt and communicate in an international professional context. This is why, in 2025, more and more students are turning to this option. Together, we’ll analyze all the facets of this test: its process, its requirements, the languages available, and how to prepare effectively. You don’t need to be bilingual, just ready to take on a challenge that can make all the difference.
By the way, did you know that the test is oral and requires in-depth comprehension and interaction in the chosen language? Don’t panic, it’s based on documents related to your field of study, making it both accessible and practical. What’s more, the language chosen for this option must be different from the required language, which broadens the range of possibilities. It’s a real springboard to enrich your BTS training and your professional future.
So, are you ready to discover all the secrets to succeeding in this optional language test and making it a real asset in your career path? We’ll go into detail about how it works, offer plenty of practical advice, and see what doors this test can open for you. Follow the guide, let’s go!
Complete presentation of the optional BTS language test: What you need to know
So, what exactly is this optional language test for the BTS? It’s an option that allows you to showcase your proficiency in a second foreign language, other than the one required in your program. It counts as a weighting of 1 and is administered orally only. You’ll generally have 20 minutes of preparation then 20 minutes of questioning in front of the panel.
These 20 minutes of preparation aren’t meant to let you down; on the contrary, you’ll receive a text, taken from a press article or a website, related to your professional field. You read it carefully and prepare a summary and a 5- to 10-minute commentary. Then, you’ll interact with the examiner, who will ask you questions to expand on or clarify certain points.
Here’s why it’s well designed to remain practical:
- 📝 The text is directly related to your profession or specialty. 🎯 The objective is to demonstrate your ability to understand a written document and express an opinion orally.
- 🌍 The chosen modern language must be different from the required language.
- ⏰ The entire test lasts approximately 40 minutes, with time well-balanced between preparation and presentation.
- Stage
| Duration | Description | Receipt of the text |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate | Distribution of a written document in a foreign language related to the field | Preparation |
| 20 minutes | Reading, summarizing, and providing a commentary | Oral presentation |
| 5-10 minutes | Summary and commentary of the written document to the jury | Oral interview |
| 10-15 minutes | Questions and answers for further discussion | In summary, this test is both simple in format and quite rich in its expectations. It’s not a test where you have to recite lessons, but rather to demonstrate how you know how to use the language in a professional context. It’s quite practical, especially when you want to boost your CV and skills. |
Discover our optional language exam, which allows you to assess your language skills at your own pace. Prepare with tailored resources and earn a recognized certificate to enhance your academic and professional career.
Want to know more about the mechanics of this exam? It’s essential for effective preparation. The exam aims to assess a B1 level, which corresponds to everyday language skills, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Specifically, you are asked to understand a written document and participate in a conversation in a foreign language.
The text received is selected to match your professional field, which helps you understand and project yourself. During the 20 minutes of preparation, you must prepare two things:
🔍 A clear and structured summary of the document.
- 💬 A personal commentary, with your opinion or analysis related to the topic. After this first step, you will present this summary/commentary orally in 5 to 10 minutes, then move on to the interview. During this interview, the examiner will question you to check your understanding, your ability to argue, explain your ideas, and maintain a fluid interaction.
- It’s important to note a few specific features:
🎧 Sometimes, the test includes audio or video documents of less than 3 minutes, which you listen to twice and must report on orally.
🌐 The documents can be varied: dialogues, broadcasts, articles, or documentaries related to the professional world.
- 🔄 The available languages are numerous, which opens up a variety of opportunities (detailed list below).
- 🏫 The presence of an examiner competent in the chosen language at the academy is essential to be able to take the test.
- Phase
- Description
| Objective | Document Distribution | Written or audiovisual document in a foreign language |
|---|---|---|
| Assess written and oral comprehension | Individual Preparation | Maximum 20 minutes |
| Structure your ideas and prepare a summary + commentary | Oral Presentation | 5-10 minutes |
| Express your ideas clearly | Interview with the Jury | 10-15 minutes |
| Interaction, Arguments, and Responses | This organization allows you to test not only your language knowledge, but also your ability to interact, which is very important in the BTS (Higher National Diploma) program as well as in professional life. This is the key to success in this test: fluency in speaking, even if your level is not perfect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKSBqfjM7XY | Languages available for the optional BTS language exam: A wide choice to personalize your training |
Did you know that the language offerings for the optional exam are very extensive? It’s not just the most common languages, far from it. In addition to traditional English and Spanish, you can choose from around thirty languages, including several regional languages and even French Sign Language. This is a real plus for personalizing your training and standing out from the crowd. Here’s an overview of the languages you may encounter in the optional test:
🇬🇧 English
🇫🇷 Arabic
🇦🇲 Armenian
- 🏴 Basque
- 🇧🇷 Breton
- 🇪🇸 Catalan
- 🇫🇷 Corsican
- 🇰🇭 Cambodian
- 🇨🇳 Chinese
- 🇩🇰 Danish
- 🇪🇸 Spanish
- 🇫🇮 Finnish
- 🇬🇷 Modern Greek
- 🇮🇱 Hebrew
- 🇮🇹 Italian
- 🇯🇵 Japanese
- 🇳🇱 Dutch
- 🇳🇴 Norwegian
- 🇮🇷 Persian
- 🇵🇱 Polish
- 🇵🇹 Portuguese
- 🇷🇺 Russian
- 🇸🇪 Swedish
- 🇹🇷 Turkish
- 🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- 🌺 Melanesian languages
- 🌻 Occitan-langue d’oc
- 🌴 Tahitian
- 🪶 Regional languages of Alsace
- 🍂 Regional languages of the Moselle region
- 🤟 French Sign Language
- Language
- Type
- Availability
- German
| Foreign language | Widely spoken | Basque |
|---|---|---|
| Regional language | Available under certain conditions | French Sign Language |
| Sign Language | Accessible depending on the academy | Vietnamese |
| Oriental language | Rare but possible | Spanish |
| Foreign language | Widely spoken | However, for you to choose a language, a competent examiner must be available in your academy. This isn’t always easy for rarer languages. If this isn’t possible, the exam may be held in another academy, or you may even have to change languages. Here too, you need to be a little flexible! |
| In any case, this diversity is a real advantage for making this option a valuable tool in your higher education and future career. | Discover everything you need to know about the optional language exam: format, preparation, and tips for success. Improve your language skills and open up new opportunities with this flexible assessment. | Why choose the optional language test for a BTS (Higher National Diploma)? Concrete advantages and benefits |
Still hesitant about taking this option? Then here are a few points that will convince you to give it a try. The optional language test for a BTS (Higher National Diploma) is a real plus on your path, especially since it is designed to recognize your efforts without requiring perfection.
The benefits are numerous:
Resume enhancement
: Having an additional foreign language officially recognized is a plus that can make a difference with recruiters.
🌟
- Language skills enhancement : This test requires you to practice the modern language in a professional context, which is the key to success. 🎓
- Gateway to higher education : A good command of a foreign language opens doors to other training programs or internships abroad. 💼
- Professional Asset : In many sectors, foreign language proficiency is an essential criterion for career advancement or international employment. 🗣️
- Improved Oral Practice : This test focuses on oral expression, which is often overlooked in BTS courses. Benefit
- Impact Concrete Example Resumé Enhancement
| Improved Employability | A student mentions German in addition to English and lands an internship in Germany. | Language Strengthening |
|---|---|---|
| Improved Oral Fluency | A candidate improves their confidence in a foreign language thanks to the test. | Facilitates Higher Education |
| Access to International Master’s Degrees | A student with a good level of Spanish can pursue a Master’s degree in Barcelona. | Employment Asset |
| Professional Development | A graduate speaks three languages and becomes an export sales assistant. Improving Oral Practice | Expected Skills for a BTS |
| A BTS communication student gains fluency thanks to this option. | Choosing this exam means taking a little time off from your BTS program for a gain that can serve you throughout your life. It’s worth the effort, especially if you’re considering an international career or simply want to stand out. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLRuQ2IlQbA |
| Practical Tips for Preparing for the Optional BTS Language Exam | Preparing for an oral exam can be daunting, especially in a foreign language. So how can you avoid stress and achieve maximum success? Here are some practical tips that are easy to incorporate into your schedule. | 1. |
Daily Listening
2.
Vocabulary Cards
📚: Prepare fact sheets (employment, environment, economy, etc.) with useful vocabulary and expressions. Review them regularly, especially before the exam. 3. Oral Practice
🗣️: Don’t be alone! Try speaking out loud, with a friend or a teacher, to gain confidence and fluency. 4. Work on Summarizing
✍️: Learn to summarize a text quickly by identifying the main ideas; this is the key to success during preparation. 5. Time Management
⏰: Go through the document in detail in 20 minutes, without getting lost. Structure your presentation so you can clearly present the summary and your commentary. 6. Know Your Professional Context
🏢: Stay up-to-date on terms related to your specialty; this helps with argumentation and understanding documents. Tip Description Why it’s important
Daily listening Watching/listening to content in the language Listening and listening comprehension
| Vocabulary sheets | Preparing a personal glossary | Quick and targeted review |
|---|---|---|
| Oral practice | Regular practice with an interlocutor | Confidence and fluency |
| Quick synthesis | Quickly identifying main ideas | Meeting preparation deadlines |
| Time management | Efficient use of preparation time | Less stress and better organization |
| Contextual knowledge | Specific vocabulary mastery | Better comprehension and argumentation |
| Preparing for the optional language test isn’t just about reviewing a language; it’s about immersing yourself in real-life, professional use. This is the best way to emerge confident from the exam, having fully demonstrated your ability to adapt. | Language tests and language assessment: what’s the impact on the BTS? | In higher education, language proficiency is a frequently assessed criterion. The optional language test in the BTS (Higher National Diploma) program is part of this assessment process. But how exactly is it graded, and what purpose does it really serve in your training? |
| This test is assessed on a scale of 0 to 20 points, with a coefficient of 1, meaning that only points above 10 actually count toward your overall average. This is quite motivating, as it recognizes any improvement above the average. | It measures your overall level according to the CEFR, including: | 📖 Written comprehension (summary of the text). |
🗣️ Oral comprehension and expression, particularly in interaction.
💡 The ability to structure clear and coherent speech.
📊 The relevance of your answers to questions and your ease in communicating. Summary table of assessment criteria:
Criterion
Description
- Weight in the grade
- Reading comprehension
- Quality of the summary and relevance of the commentary
- 30%
Oral expression
| Clarity, fluency, and coherence of the presentation | 40% | Interaction |
|---|---|---|
| Ability to respond to questions and exchanges | 30% | This test therefore assesses real practical skills. If you plan to continue your studies or work in an international environment, it gives you a good gauge of your actual level, with an emphasis on oral communication. |
| How does the optional language test impact your training and career prospects? | We often talk about grades and success, but ultimately, why is this optional language test so important for your overall training and your future career? Well, it acts as a real springboard in your career path. | First, it forces you to practice a new modern language at a level useful for your profession. This enriches your training, making it more versatile, and can open the door to international mobility, internships, or jobs abroad. |
| Second, it prepares you for the globalized professional environment in which many companies now operate. Knowing how to communicate in another language has become a standard in several sectors: commerce, industry, technology, tourism, and services. | Here are some concrete impacts to remember: | 🌍 Openness to international opportunities, internships, or projects abroad. |
💼 Strengthening your candidate profile in the face of demanding employers.
📚 Facilitating further studies in bilingual or international programs.
🧠 Development of essential transversal skills, such as intercultural communication.
🔄 Increased adaptability and confidence in a dynamic professional environment. Impact
Description
Example
- International mobility
- Facilitates internships and jobs abroad
- A student completes an internship in China thanks to their Chinese language skills
- Asset on the job market
- Candidate better positioned with international recruiters
| A bilingual graduate lands a position in exporting | Further studies facilitated | Access to specialized master’s or bachelor’s degrees |
|---|---|---|
| A student enrolls in a European master’s degree | Transversal skills | Communication, adaptation, intercultural project management |
| A BTS business graduate communicates easily with a foreign client | Professional confidence | Greater confidence in the workplace |
| A recent graduate manages exchanges in English without stress | Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the optional language test in a BTS program | Question |
| Answer | Can I choose any language for this optional test? | No, the language must be different from the required language, and an examiner must be available in your local academy. Otherwise, you will have to take the test in another academy or choose a different language. |
| How long does the test last? | Approximately 40 minutes, divided between 20 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of oral examination. | Do you need to be fluent in the language to pass? |
Not necessarily; a B1 level is sufficient. The key is to understand the document and communicate clearly orally.
| Is this test mandatory for a BTS (Higher National Diploma)? | No, it is optional but can earn bonus points. |
|---|---|
| How can you effectively prepare for this test? | By practicing the language regularly, making vocabulary cards, listening to authentic documents, and practicing your speaking skills. |