Created by OpenEDG

About English for IT

Practical English for people who work with technology.

English for IT is a learning and certification programme created and owned by OpenEDG, the Open Education and Development Group. It helps learners develop the English they need to understand technical information, participate in workplace conversations, and communicate with IT professionals.

The programme supports both individuals studying independently and institutions incorporating English for IT into their existing programmes.

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Our purpose

Why we created English for IT

English plays an important role in technology, but many people entering the industry use it as a second or additional language. Understanding the technology is only part of the challenge. Learners also need to understand instructions, explain problems, discuss solutions, and work with colleagues in English.

These needs extend beyond technical roles. People across an organisation use digital tools and communicate with developers, support teams, and other IT specialists. English for IT connects language learning with the vocabulary and situations learners encounter in study and work.

Education, assessment and certification

The organisation behind the programme

OpenEDG develops learning, assessment, and certification programmes spanning programming, digital skills, and professional English. English for IT draws on this wider experience in helping people learn and demonstrate technology-related skills.

Other OpenEDG projects and platforms include:

Python Institute

Python Institute is a nonprofit initiative by OpenEDG supporting Python learning and professional development worldwide. It works with schools, universities, and other organisations to develop curricula, learning resources, assessments, and certifications.

Its online study resources include free courses for beginners and more advanced learners. Certification pathways cover entry, associate, and professional levels, with programmes in general-purpose programming, data analysis, software testing, security, automation, and artificial intelligence.

Explore Python Institute

Digital Literacy

The Digital Literacy programme helps learners build practical skills for using technology at home, in education, and at work. It covers four areas:

Digital awareness
Using computers and mobile devices
Creating, communicating, and collaborating
Safety and security

Learners practise managing digital information, using collaboration tools, protecting their privacy, and recognising online risks. Its certification pathway offers four milestone exams or one comprehensive assessment.

Explore Digital Literacy

TestNow

TestNow is OpenEDG’s online exam delivery platform. It provides tools for creating and managing exams and practice tests, updating assessment content, and controlling delivery.

OpenEDG uses TestNow to administer its English for IT certification exams.

Explore TestNow

Learning through Edube Interactive

English for IT courseware is available through Edube Interactive, OpenEDG’s online learning platform. Together, these projects connect foundational digital skills, specialist technical knowledge, language learning, and assessment.

Visit Edube Interactive

People behind the programme

Language teaching meets industry experience

The English for IT courses and exams were developed by a team from the USA and Europe, combining qualified teachers of English as a second language with industry professionals.

This brought language-teaching expertise and knowledge of technology workplaces into the development process. The aim was to create material that helps learners practise English in contexts relevant to their education and professional lives.

The original certification

How the B2 certification was developed

The original English for IT B2 certification exam was developed jointly by OpenEDG and Certiport. Certiport contributed expertise in exam development and psychometric analysis, and also resells English for IT products.

Defined language objectives
The development team reviewed the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages’ B2 Can Do statements and used them to build the exam’s objective domains. These define the areas of language knowledge and ability assessed by the exam.
Psychometric analysis
The B2 exam’s development included psychometric analysis as part of the assessment-development process.
Angoff standard setting
The team used a structured expert-judgement method to establish a passing standard for the B2 exam.

These development and recognition details apply specifically to the B2 certification exam.

Explore the B2 exam and its objective domains

English for IT B2 certification badge, GSE 59–75 — English for IT B2 / GSE 59–75

Certiport

B2 exam development and product distribution

Certiport worked with OpenEDG on the original B2 exam and was instrumental in obtaining its ACE credit recommendation.

English for IT on Certiport

American Council on Education

B2 exam credit recommendation

The B2 exam received an ACE credit recommendation. Details of the reviewed exam and the recommendation are available in the ACE National Guide.

View the ACE credit recommendation

Our development

A programme that has grown with learners’ needs

English for IT began with the B2 programme and expanded to provide pathways for learners at earlier stages of their English development.

2021
The original B2 course and certification exam launched.
2024
A2 and B1 courses joined the programme.
2025
The programme expanded with A2 and B1 certification exams.

Today, learners and institutions can explore course and certification options at A2, B1, and B2, choosing the level that fits their starting point and goals.

Find your next step

Learning independently?

Explore the course levels and syllabi to find a suitable starting point.

Explore English for IT courses

Teaching English or technology?

Explore how English for IT could complement your existing programme through institutional evaluation access.

Request institutional evaluation access