Issues in testing business English : the revision of the Cambridge Business English certificates / Barry O'Sullivan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

O'Sullivan, Barry.

Series:

Studies in language testing ; 17.

Studies in language testing ; 17

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

English language--Business English--Examinations.

English language.

English language--Study and teaching--Foreign speakers.

English language--Business English.

Physical Description:

xiii, 394 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2006.

Summary:

Demand is steadily growing for language tests with a specialised focus which will suit the needs of key professional domains as diverse as business, law, the airline industry, and teacher education. This book explores the testing of language for specific purposes (LSP) from a theoretical and practical perspective, with a particular focus on the testing of English for business purposes. A range of tests - both past and present - is reviewed, and the development of business English testing at Cambridge ESOL is discussed. The description of the revision of the Business English Certificates (EEC) forms a major part of the book and offers a unique insight into an approach to large-scale ESP test development and revision.

The volume: reviews the historical development of testing English for business and presents current thinking and practice in this area, provider a sound theoretical rationale in support of the testing of English for business and other specific purposes, presents a case study of the development and revision of an internationally recognised test of English for business, offers a systematic methodology for describing LSP tests together with practical guidance on test development issues. This volume will be of particular relevance to language test developers and researchers interested in language testing for specific purposes and contexts of use; it will also be of interest to ESP teachers - particularly those teaching English for business, as well as to lecturers and postgraduates working in the field of LSP.

Contents:

Series Editors' note x

Chapter 2 The revision of BEC 82

Chapter 3 Major changes to the suite 119

Chapter 4 Changes in the BEC papers 130

Chapter 5 Conclusions and the way forward 174

Appendix 1.1 JOCT Evaluation Criteria 96

Appendix 1.2 CEFLS Pilot Test 197

Appendix 1.3 CEIBT-Test of Reading and Writing-June and November 1992 205

Appendix 1.4 BULATS - Standard Test English 225

Appendix 1.5 BULATS - Speaking Test 241

Appendix 1.6 BULATS - Standard Test German 244

Appendix 2.1 ALTE Work Typical Abilities 260

Appendix 3.1 BEC 1 Sample Paper 261

Appendix 3.2 BEC 2 Sample Paper 277

Appendix 3.3 BEC 3 Sample Paper 291

Appendix 4.1 BEC Preliminary Sample Paper 302

Appendix 4.2 BEC Vantage Sample Paper 328

Appendix 4.3 BEC Higher Sample Paper 353

Additional information on tests of language for business purposes 378.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0521013305

OCLC:

65202621

Publisher Number:

9780521013307