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Issues of validity in tests of English as a world language: whose standards?
Author(s) -
LOWENBERG PETER H.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
world englishes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.6
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1467-971X
pISSN - 0883-2919
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-971x.1993.tb00011.x
Subject(s) - language assessment , linguistics , test of english as a foreign language , world englishes , standard english , psychology , sociology , philosophy
Despite the current extensive research on many variables associated with English language testing, little attention has been focused on the inherent variability in the linguistic ‘norms’ for Standard English that are generally tested. This paper examines data from domains of Standard English in several native‐speaker (e.g. British) and non‐native (e.g. Malaysian) varieties of English, focusing on linguistic and attitudinal factors leading to changes in these norms. It then discusses implications of these changes for test construction aimed at assessing proficiency in English as a global language, particularly through such standardized instruments as the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC).