Sino-British Academic Exchanges Take Step Forward in English Assessment

As the global leader of English teaching and assessment, the British Council has more than 80 years' experience in the field of English language assessment. In December 2016 , China's Ministry of Education and the British Council signed a memorandum of understanding on the mutual recognition between the British English test and China's English proficiency level. Both parties also agreed on holding a joint conference on English language assessment, to accelerate international exchange and cooperation in English language learning, teaching and assessment.

"It is an honour to provide academic support to the linking project of China's Standards of English, and to be a partner and practitioner to support English assessment reform initiatives in China . IELTS and Aptis, which have been mapped with Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), become the first two internationally recognised English tests carrying out the linking research to CSE," said Barry O'Sullivan , head of British Council Assessment Research and Development.

At the conference, the British Council and NEEA announced the launch of 'The Joint Research Grant Scheme ', which aims to promote research by international language assessment experts on the CSE and the linking research of the CSE to international examinations and language testing systems.

"We will be focusing our efforts on attracting local educators, researchers in China , as well as professionals, researchers and policy makers in assessment and education in other countries and regions," explained Tim Hood , Director Examinations China, British Council.