中、美、英商务英语考试阅读模块之效度比较研究:TBEM-4,TOEIC和BEC(中级)

Comparative validity of reading modules in three business English test:TBEM-4,TOEIC and BEC(Vantage)

本文对中、美、英三国三项商务英语考试TBEM-4,TOEIC和BEC(中级)阅读模块之效度进行比较研究。调查结果显示:(1)在任务环境效度方面,三项阅读测试考试任务、考试题型和考查技能相似,但BEC(中级)和TBEM-4阅读任务仅由单语篇组成,而TOEIC既有单语篇也有"互动型"双语篇阅读任务,旨在考查受试互文表征构建能力;在语言要求上,TOEIC文本难度和专业性指数均略低于其他两项考试,但三者之间试题难度并无显著性差异;(2)在效标关联效度方面,除TOEIC外,BEC(中级)和TBEM-4均与TEM-4成绩呈显著性相关;(3)在认知效度方面,多数受试认为尽管TOEIC阅读测试任务涉及的商务背景知识略少于BEC(中级)和TBEM-4,但考试任务更加真实;(4)在后果效度方面,多数受试更倾向报考BEC(中级),因为该考试在国内影响力大,认可度高。文章最后为中国商务英语考试的研发和完善提出建议。

This study aims to compare the validity of reading modules in TBEM-4,TOEIC and BEC（ Vantage）. The results show that 1） in respect to the context validity of task setting,three tests share similarities in tasks,format and focus skills,but BEC（ Vantage） and TBEM-4 include only one text in each reading task,while TOEIC consists of both one text and two interactive texts designed to test the ability of creating intertextual representation; in terms of linguistic demand,the indexes of text difficulty and specificity of TOEIC are lower than that of the other two tests although there is no significant difference in difficulty on the whole; 2） in aspect of criterion-related validity,the reading score of both BEC（ Vantage） and TBEM-4 is significantly correlated with that of TEM-4 although TOEIC is not;3） in terms of cognitive validity,most subjects think TOEIC tasks are more authentic than BEC（ Vantage） and TBEM-4 although it requires less background knowledge in business; 4） in regards to consequential validity,most subjects prefer to take BEC（ vantage） because of its authority and impact in China. Some suggestions for improving business English tests in China are proposed at the end of the study.