Oral English Exams to be Required for Graduation

BEGINNING next year, studentsgraduating from public high schools willbe required to pass an oral English exam,the daily La República reported. Now,the English exams required for graduationtest students only on grammar and literature,Vice-Minister of Education WilfridoBlanco told the daily.The implementation of the new test isin response to the growing need forEnglish proficiency in the workforce.Between 50% and 80% of job seekers inCosta Rica cannot speak the languagewell, according to the daily.The initiative will be presented to theHigh Council of Education for officialapproval this year, so that it can takeeffect in 2006.