English-Language Proficiency Requirements for Migration to Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and the Implications for Language Testing Research

Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics / Association Canadienne de Linguistique Appliquée. Departement de langues, linguistique et traduction, Pavillon de Koninck, Universite Laval, Quebec, QC G1K 7P4, Canada. Web site: https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/CJAL

Y

27

English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Immigration; Language Proficiency; Land Settlement; Refugees; Language Tests; Foreign Countries; Citizenship; Scores; Advocacy; Public Policy

1481-868X
1920-1818

Language proficiency testing has long played a role as both facilitator and barrier in global migration. This paper outlines how Canada and other traditional migrant destination countries use English-language proficiency testing for immigration, asylum and resettlement, and citizenship. It identifies commonalities between these three related areas of migration and the covert values that are often embedded in the required test scores. It identifies different approaches for conducting research under the umbrella of Shohamy's (2001) "Critical Language Testing" and concludes with language testing research and advocacy suggestions specific to the Canadian context.

As Provided

2023

EJ1402974