English criteria in China linked to international tests

中国英语能力等级接轨国际考试

 

China's Standard of English Language Ability, or CSE, the country's first evaluation standard for English proficiency, has been linked with the International English Language Testing System and Aptis, marking its official entry into the international examination system.

中国英语能力等级量表,简称CSE,是中国首个针对英语水平的评估标准,已与国际英语测试系统(即雅思)、普思考试对接,标志着其正式进入国际考试体系。

 

The National Education Examination Authority under the Ministry of Education is developing an English exam that will apply the CSE standard to college students, said Yu Han, the authority's deputy director.

教育部下属的国家教育考试中心副主任于涵表示,委员会正在研发一项英语考试,使CSE标准适用于大学生。

 

The authority and the British Council released the results on Tuesday.

而中国教育部考试中心和英国文化教育协会在周二联合宣布了结果。

 

The standard, issued by the ministry and the State Language Commission last year, defines three categories of English language ability-basic, intermediate and advanced - with nine levels altogether.

教育部和国家语言文字工作委员会去年颁布的标准划分了英语语言能力的三个阶段,“初级,中级和高级”,共有九个等级。
 

 

By comparing the CSE with the IELTS, researchers found that a score corresponding to Level 4 in CSE is equivalent to an overall score of 4.5 in IELTS and scores of 5 in listening, 4.5 in reading, 5 in speaking and 4 in writing. A score corresponding to Level 8 in CSE is equivalent to an overall score of 8 under the IELTS standards, and scores of 8.5 in listening, 7.5 in reading, 7 in speaking and 7.5 in writing.

通过比较CSE和雅思,研究人员发现,CSE中4级对应的分数相当于雅思总分4.5分,其中听力5分,阅读4.5分,口语5分,写作4分。CSE中8级对应的分数相当于雅思总分8分,其中听力8.5分,阅读7.5分,口语7分,写作7.5分。

 

The linking of IELTS and Aptis to the CSE displays the CSE's value in practical English learning, Yu said at a news conference.

于涵主任在新闻发布会上表示,雅思、普思考试与CSE对接体现了CSE在实际英语学习中的价值。

 

"It also contributes to the opening-up of China's education, bringing its standards to the world and sharing Chinese wisdom in the field of language education," he said.

他说:“这也有助于中国教育的开放,将其标准传播至世界,在语言教育领域分享中国智慧。”

 

In 112 pages, the English proficiency standard lays down detailed requirements for listening, speaking, reading and writing. It also includes practical skills, such as translating, where standards are rare worldwide.

在112页的英语水平标准中,详细规定了听,说,读,写的要求,其中还包括一些实用技能,如翻译,其标准在全球范围内很少见。
 

 

The CSE applies to all levels of English learners from elementary school to university and focuses on students' ability in everyday practical language, broader communication skills and understanding of the culture in English-speaking places.

CSE适用于从小学到大学的各级英语学习者,重点关注学生日常使用语言的能力、更广泛的沟通技巧以及对说英语国家的文化理解。

 

The standards aim to unify various kinds of English tests in China that have different standards and clarify the educational objectives of English education in China. It can also guide the country's reforms in various English language tests, so they will be more focused on testing students' practical skills in using English, rather than skills in taking tests, Yu said.

该标准旨在统一中国各种不同标准的英语考试,进而明确中国英语的教育目标。于涵主任说,它还可以指导国家在各种英语语言测试中的改革,所以他们将更专注于测试学生使用英语的实际技能,而不是应对考试的技巧。

 

Barry O'Sullivan, head of assessment research at the British Council, said: "Both IELTS and Aptis are communication-based tests, as they focus on all four language skills-listening, speaking, reading and writing - and assess test-takers' actual ability to use the English language, which lays a solid foundation for linking the two tests to the CSE."

英国文化教育协会测评研发中心主任Barry O'Sullivan表示:“雅思和普思考试都是基于沟通的测试,因为他们注重所有语言技能,即听力,口语,阅读和写作,并评估考生实际使用英语的能力,这为两项考试与CSE对接奠定了坚实的基础。”
 

 

The linking results will be of particular value to policymakers at educational institutions by helping them meet curriculum goals.

对接的结果将通过帮助教育机构的政策制定者实现课程目标,对其产生很大的帮助。

 

They will also encourage the improvement of teaching methods, learning materials and teaching practices in classrooms, he said, adding that the results will also allow test-takers to have a deeper understanding of their English proficiency by referring to the descriptions of language ability in the CSE that are mapped to their IELTS or Aptis test scores.

他还表示,他们还鼓励改善课堂教学方法、学习材料和教学实践。对接后,这也将使考生通过参考和雅思、普斯考试对接的CSE标准中语言能力的描述,更深入地了解自己的英语水平。

 

The national examination authority is also working on linking the standards with the Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL.

下一步,教育部考试中心还将会把标准与托福考试对接。

(翻译:MS小冰晶)