SDSU has developed the first international language exam for Latin American business in Spanish offered in the United States.

The Examen Internacional de Negocios en Español focuses on business and economics of Latin America and Spain and is useful for students, educational institutions and businesses.

"The EXIGE certificate ensures that an employer is hiring someone with proficient business Spanish skills, including reading, writing, speaking, listening and cultural understanding," says Steven J. Sacco, chair of international business at SDSU and one of the test's developers.

At SDSU, international business majors are required to learn a foreign language and conduct studies abroad in the target language. The SDSU test assures students, teachers and prospective employers that the student not only knows Spanish, but can use the language effectively to do business internationally. It is four hours long and is taken on a computer at about 30 centers worldwide, including SDSU and the San Diego World Trade Center, one of the test's sponsors. It was developed by eight experts in Spanish language and business and was funded by a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. For info, call contact Claudia Allen at (619) 594-3008.

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