通用用途商务英语与通用用途英语能力量表比较研究——以GSE-LOPE和CSE口语量表为例

A comparative study of BEGP and EGP language scales:The case of speaking scales between GSE-LOPE and CSE

以“全球英语量表—职业英语学习目标”(GSE-LOPE)与“中国英语能力等级量表”(CSE)口语量表为例,本文通过比较两种不同用途的英语能力量表描述语在横向和纵向维度之异同,研究通用用途商务英语(BEGP)量表的显著特征。结果显示,在横向维度上,二者所依据的理论基础及描述语分类和分级所采用的方法基本相同,但在具体参数的设置和描述语收集方法上存在一定差异;在纵向维度上,GSE-LOPE口头表达能力描述语聚焦于职场中有限的特定场景和典型任务,重视对任务完成质量的评估,强调口语表达的清晰性而非准确性;CSE口头表达能力描述语涉及日常生活、学习、工作各个方面,注重描述语的通用性,兼顾口语表达的准确性和清晰性。在交际策略方面,GSE-LOPE比CSE更加重视交际氛围营造以及话题管理策略。本研究结果可为我国研发包括BEGP在内的ESP量表提供借鉴与参考。

For exploring the distinctive features of language scales of Business English for General Purposes(BEGP),the paper focuses on the differences in two speaking scales designed for different purposes from horizontal and vertical dimensions by comparing Global Scale of English-Learning Objectives for Professional English(GSE-LOPE)and China's Standards of English Language Ability(CSE).The research results showed that in the horizontal dimension,the two speaking scales were constructed on the same theoretical foundation and adopted the similar methods of classifying and scaling descriptors.However,there were some differences in the parameter setting and the methods of collecting descriptors to achieve their different purposes.In the vertical dimension,the descriptors of GSE-LOPE speaking scale described specific situations and typical activities in international work places,centering on the assessment of task performance and language clarity instead of accuracy,while the CSE was concerned with the common situations and tasks in daily life,learning and work,with a focus on the generalizability of descriptors and assessment of both language accuracy and clarity.With regard to oral communication strategies,more emphasis was put on the rapport building and topic management strategies in GSE-LOPE than in CSE.These findings could provide some insights into developing ESP scales,especially BEGP scales in China.