Gizhko I.M., Rassolova L.V.
Donetsk National University of Economics and Trade
named after M.Tugan-Baranovsky
MAKING THE MOST OF THE
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LANGUAGE EXAMINATIONS
Nowadays
the ability to communicate in English in the workplace is a necessary skill. Language
proficiency levels allow teachers to determine the learning/training gap – i.e.
the difference between the beginning and target levels of students on a
particular course – expressed in terms of internationally-recognised language
performance scales.
When
determining the target level of Ukrainian university graduates, it is necessary
to take into account existing requirements for language proficiency levels in
academic and professional environments worldwide, as measured by internationally
recognized language examinations.
The
strategic skills necessary to do business in English seem to be: making phone
calls, meetings/negotiating, socializing, writing business correspondence,
active listening, learning business terminology, etc.
Trinity’s
Spoken English for Work (SEW) is an examination that assesses ability in a
variety of situations: for example in telephone conversations, presentations
and more informal discussions. The examination takes the form of a one-to-one
oral assessment with the examiner who travels from the UK. Spoken English for
Work examinations are non-professional specific and equally appropriate for
those well-established in their careers and for those about to enter the world
of work.
Trinity’s
SEW examination provides a reliable and valid scheme of assessment through
which candidates, employers and teachers may measure progress and development
of English language use in a work context. The four levels provide a measure of
linguistic competence from elementary to advanced levels, B1 to C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment.
The
examinations are not profession-specific, although candidates can choose to
talk about their job if they wish. The examination content covers a wide range
of subject matter and tasks which arise in a variety of real-life working
situations. Candidates are assessed on their language abilities and not their
knowledge of specific professions. It is assumed that candidates will have
studied general English before embarking of these examinations. The progress is
marked by: greater linguistic demands categorized under grammar, lexis and
phonology; increasing evidence of the use of communicative skills and the
expression of functions; an increasing degree of independence which allows the
candidate to initiate and take control of the interaction.
The EFL
teachers can use the Trinity SEW syllabus while preparing candidates for a
particular level. This syllabus is a working document which can be widely used
in the learning environment as well as in the examination. It is a very
important reference for teachers, instructors and learners.
As
Ukraine has declared its intention to become an equal partner within the
Bologna Process framework, Ukrainian universities are expected to confront the
European standards in language proficiency. Following the recent National ELT
reform at secondary level and taking into account international practices in
language education at tertiary level, the National ESP Curriculum states that
the minimal acceptable English language proficiency level to qualify for a
Bachelor’s degree is B2 (Independent User).Bearing in mind professional needs
and target situation of Master’s students in Ukrainian higher educational
institutions, the ESP Curriculum recognizes that the English language
proficiency level B2+ may be sufficient for verbally non-demanding specialisms,
while the C1 level may be required for highly verbal specialisms.
Bibliography
1.Bakayeva,
H., O.Borysenko, V.Ivanischeva, A.Khodtseva, L.Klymenko, S.Kostrytska,
T.Kozymyrska, T.Skrypnyk, N.Todorova and I.Zuyenok (2005) The National ESP Curriculum for Universities. Kyiv: Lenvit.
2.Hughes,
A. (1989) Testing for Language Teachers. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
3.Trinity
(2010) International Syllabus for Graded
Examinations in Spoken English (GESE). Trinity College: London.
4.Trinity
(2009) Spoken English for Work (SEW)
Examinations. Syllabus 2008-2010. Trinity College: London.