Aligning China's Standards of English Language Ability with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Abstract

In the field of second language assessment, there is limited empirical research on the alignment of different language proficiency standards. This study aims to establish level correspondences for overall language proficiency between China's Standards of English Language Ability (CSE) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). All 467 CEFR descriptors and 104 CSE anchor descriptors were used in 15 questionnaires. Approximately 5441 teacher ratings and 23,260 student ratings were collected and analysed by Rasch analysis, fixed common item equating, and statistical comparison. The results show that CSE descriptors of a certain level tend to scatter at several adjacent CEFR levels, one of which is relatively predominant. CSE level 1 corresponds mainly to the CEFR below A1 level, level 2 to A1, level 3 to A2, level 4 and level 5 to B1, level 6 to B2, level 7 to B2 and C1, level 8 to C1 and C2, and level 9 to C2. This study enriches the literature on alignment between standards. It has implications for language teaching, learning, and assessment for different stakeholders in China and abroad.

Appendices

Appendix 1: CSE Levels and Target Group of English Learners

CSE	Target group of English learners
Level 1	Grade 3 primary school pupils
Level 2	Grade 6 primary school pupils
Level 3	Junior high school graduates
Level 4	Senior high school graduates
Level 5	Non-English major sophomores
Level 6	Non-English major undergraduates or English major sophomores
Level 7	English major undergraduates
Level 8	English major postgraduates
Level 9	Professional users such as professional translators or interpreters

Appendix 2: Rating Scale in the Main Study (English Translation)

Category	Interpretation
0	In any circumstances, I can't perform like this; my English proficiency is obviously lower than this descriptive standard
1	In favorable circumstances, I can merely perform like this; my English proficiency is a little lower than this descriptive standard. Favorable circumstances may involve external help, familiar topics or situations, time to prepare or think, favorable surroundings or personal states, etc
2	In normal circumstances, I can do it by myself; my English proficiency corresponds to this descriptive standard in general. Normal circumstances refer to the general situation in daily life
3	In unfavorable circumstances, I can still perform like this; my English proficiency is a little higher than this descriptive standard. Unfavorable circumstances may involve unfamiliar topics or situations, no time to prepare or think, unfavorable surroundings or personal state, etc
4	In any circumstances, I can perform like this; my English proficiency is obviously higher than this descriptive standard

Appendix 3: Sample Items in the Questionnaires (English Translation)

Scale category	Descriptor	Rating
Creative Writing	Can write very short, basic descriptions of events, past activities and personal experiences
Spoken Fluency	Can make him/herself understood in short contributions, even though pauses, false starts and reformulation are very evident
Asking for Clarification	Can ask very simply for repetition when he/she does not understand
Co-operating	Can indicate when he/she is following
Reading for Orientation	Can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus, reference lists and timetables
Listening to Announcements & Instructions	Can understand simple directions relating to how to get from X to Y, by foot or public transport
Watching TV & Film	Can identify the main point of TV news items reporting events, accidents etc. where the visual supports the commentary
Informal discussion	Can discuss everyday practical issues in a simple way when addressed clearly, slowly and directly
Conversation	Can say what he/she likes and dislikes

Appendix 4: Number of the CEFR Descriptors in Different Sub-skills

CEFR level	Listening descriptors (n.)	Speaking descriptors (n.)	Reading descriptors (n.)	Writing descriptors (n.)	Total descriptors (n.)
A1	2	21	5	10	38
A2	12	121	20	21	174
B1	23	107	16	36	182
B2	16	86	13	28	143
C1	14	32	7	16	69
C2	2	23	2	11	38

Appendix 5: Number of the CSE Descriptors in Different Sub-skills

CSE level	Listening descriptors (n.)	Speaking descriptors (n.)	Reading descriptors (n.)	Writing descriptors (n.)	Total descriptors (n.)
Level 1	12	35	3	17	67
Level 2	14	51	18	26	109
Level 3	23	67	36	34	160
Level 4	26	84	34	35	179
Level 5	24	72	31	30	157
Level 6	16	69	25	30	140
Level 7	13	58	19	21	111
Level 8	12	41	15	16	84
Level 9	6	24	7	7	44