Certification and diplomas
The question are what point grading and teaching towards exams is necessary is a complex and tricky one - often dependent on the individual or dynamic of a specific group. While some are highly motivated by study for exams and enjoy marking their progress this way, others find the pressure causes anxiety and is detrimental to their general learning. As most people will only ever be asked for their highest certificate in a given subject I generally avoid exams for people until it becomes essential. The most successful education system in the world Finland gives no grades at all to any student under the age of the 13. Nonetheless most students enjoy receiving participation certificates and as often the biggest gift a native speaker can give is to inspire students with the confidence to speak in a foreign language without fear.












