Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Beyond dichotomies: unravelling the complexities of international standardised English language testing. |
| Authors: |
Harding, Luke |
| Source: |
ELT Journal: English Language Teaching Journal. Jan2026, Vol. 80 Issue 1, p110-116. 7p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*Language ability testing, *Standardized tests, *English as a foreign language, *Test validity, Lingua francas |
| Abstract: |
This article discusses the issues raised in O'Sullivan's and Hashimura et al.'s Point-Counterpoint articles with the aim of introducing new angles on the topic of international standardised English language testing and opening the debate further. In the first section, I provide summaries of the positions taken by O'Sullivan and Hashimura et al. contrasting the "tests as a social good" and "critical language testing" paradigms. Second, I explore international standardised English language testing as a site of complexity, focusing on the nature of this complexity in conceptualising language testing as a field, language tests (as social objects), and language testing organisations. Third, I address shifts towards measuring innovative constructs and the prospect of greater localisation. Finally, I conclude with a call for research that explores complexity in greater depth with a view to change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: |
Education Research Complete |
