Testing Real-life English skills
Dr Michael Milanvic, Chief Executive, University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations
The University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations are the world's leading range of certificated exams for learners of English. Each year they are taken by learners of English in 135 countries. The exams are characterised by an uncompromising commitment to assessment of the highest quality and they are recognised by employers, universities and official bodies throughout the world. Cambridge ESOL exams focus on a learner's ability to communicate. This is essential to developing their English language skills. We are proud and honoured to be collaborating with The Society for Testing English Proficiency (STEP), Japan's leading testing body, in introducing STEP BULATS to Japanese learners of English. STEP BULATS tests the communication skills needed in real business situations and offers companies and organisations a rapid, reliable and cost-effective way of assessing the English language skills of employees, trainees and job applicants. As Japan continues to internationalise and more Japanese companies enter the global marketplace, managers need to know that their staff have the right English language skills to function effectively in an international environment. BULATS is based on detailed Can-Do statements which specify what learners can be expected to do at each level of achievement. This means that results can be interpreted in a way that is comprehensive and easy to understand. The introduction of STEP BULATS into Japan is the first collaborative project between STEP and Cambridge ESOL. We believe that this collaboration will benefit our two organisations and English language learning more generally in Japan. We look forward to further developing our close relationship and to collaborating in other areas of test development and research in the future.
