国外教育机构对中国学生英语能力及相关测试的需求分析

Analysis of Overseas Educational Institutions’ Needs for Chinese Students’ English Language Proficiency and Associated Tests

本研究从国际视角反观我国英语教学与测试,探究国外教育机构对我国学生英语能力及相关测试的评价与需求。基于“连续解释性设计”,本研究通过问卷调查与半结构访谈发现:(1)国外教育机构认为,中国学生的英语能力总体有改观,但其语言运用能力、学术英语素养、思辨能力及跨文化能力有待提升,健康的考试观有待养成;(2)少数机构在招生时认可我国英语考试成绩,且多数机构认为,考试的信效度、语言技能考核的全面性及考试内容的真实性等对我国英语考试能否获得国际认可起决定作用。该研究的发现或可为我国外语教学和评测的实践与改革提供参考。

This study surveys the needs of overseas educational institutions for Chinese students’ English language proficiency and associated tests. Adopting a sequential explanatory design, the study reveals through questionnaires and interviews that Chinese students’ English language proficiency has been found enhanced in general, but there is still room for improvement in students’ ability for use, academic literacy, critical thinking, intercultural communication, and their attitude towards examination. Moreover, only a few institutions accept the scores of China’s English tests in admission of Chinese students, and most institutions contend that test reliability and validity, coverage of all language skills, and authenticity of testing materials and tasks are the major factors to decide whether China’s English tests could gain international recognition. These findings may shed some light on English language teaching and testing in China.