Abstract
The focus of this chapter is on the English language requirement for the granting of permanent residence in the UK; in particular we are interested in the kinds of language use being sampled by the approved tests. The first part of the discussion will offer an account of the CEFR for Languages and the two officially approved tests of spoken English, also known as Secure English Language Tests: IELTS B1 level Life Skills and Trinity College London Graded Examinations of Spoken English (GESE) Grade 5. Both of these tests are said to be referenced to CEFR B1 level. In the next section we provide a brief characterisation of B1-ness embedded in the CEFR. We will then describe the two secure tests, paving the way to analysing the interactional moves performed by the test participants (in published samples). In the final part of the paper, we will comment on the adequacy of the tests in terms of construct validity, fitness for purpose and policy viability.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Developments in language education: A memorial volume in honour of Sauli Takala |
Editors | Ari Huhta, Gudrun Erickson, Neus Figueras |
Place of Publication | Jyväskylä, Finland |
Publisher | EALTA (European Association for Language Testing and Assessment), with University of Jyväskylä |
Pages | 203-225 |
Number of pages | 23 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-951-39-7748-1 |
Publication status | Published - 31 May 2019 |
Keywords
- English
- citizenship
- CEFR