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Hi Adrian I'm not an EFL testing specialist, but I suspect that some of the English language tests that are mapped on to the Common European Framework would include: IELTS, TOEFL, TEEP, TEAP etc. These are of course, predominantly used to screen would-be students wishing to study in Universities in Australia, UK, US and suchlike. Barry O'Sullivan and Cyril Weir, I believe, are up to speed on these matters. As to becoming an EFL testing specialist - I guess a starting point would be to do an MA in TESOL or App Ling with a specialisation in language testing. It's surprising how few EFL testers there are about - probably a legacy of the decades when "test" was a four letter word in UK educational circles. Regards, Eddie On 29/07/2010 10:13, Salmond Adrian wrote: > Hello and thanks for the response. > > No, I wasn't being ironic. I just wondered exactly what this specialism entails. I had in mind people writing content for FCE exams and the like or designing new tests in a similar vein. > > I guess the aim is to design reliable and valid tests that would enable other professionals to place learners on an agreed framework e.g. Common European Framework (I presume there are other international frameworks? It would be interesting to find out). > > I haven't come across the authors Eddie mentions so I will look into these. > > How does one become an EFL testing specialist? Is there any specific training in this? (I'm not planning a change of career, I'm just wondering). > > > > Adrian Salmond > Education Co-ordinator > John Howard Centre > 12 Kenworthy Road > London > E9 5TD > tel. 020 8510 2468 > > [log in to unmask] > > > -----Original Message----- > From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eddie Williams > Sent: 28 July 2010 13:09 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: EFL Research > > Just in case Adrian Salmon's question is not ironic: > > An EFL testing specialist is someone who knows more than the average > person about > the construction and analysis of tests that attempt to measure various > aspects of proficiency > and performance in people who are learning English as an additional > language (EFL is > admittedly considered a slightly dated acronym by the more progressive > elements, > but its meaning is clear). > > This specialisation is not pursued in a mindless and mechanical manner: > check out work by Charles Alderson, > Carline Clapham, Alan Davies, Arthur Hughes, Barry O'Sullivan, Diane > Wall, Cyril Weir among others in the UK. > > Non-Brits include Jim Cummins, Tim Macnamara, Charlene Rivera, Meryl > Swain, and a host of others. > > Take some time out to read their work, then you'll know what an EFL > testing specialist is. > > And if the question was ironic, then a scan through the work of the > above is even more desirable! > > That said, there is no doubt that there are some "entrepreneurs" about > (I choose the word advisedly), > who are not averse to exploiting the current situation in the UK - we > must be on our guard! > > Eddie > > On 28/07/2010 09:40, Adrian Salmond wrote: > >> What is an "EFL testing specialist"?? >> >> *********************************** >> ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. 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