ETS Trials Preofessional English Test in Beijing

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, November 17, 2002

ETS Trials Preofessional English Test in Beijing

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The Test of Professional English (TOPE), a product of the US-based Educational Testing Service (ETS), had its first trial Saturday in Beijing, in a step towards entering China's huge language testing market.

The TOPE, which targets government and enterprise employees, is said to emphasize communicative abilities instead of receptive abilities. It lasts two and a half hours and consists of listening, speaking, reading and writing components.

Chinese government officials have shown intense interest in the test. Wu Yongke, director of the Personnel Training Department with the State Economic and Trade Commission, said China's language testing market was filled with English tests, but still lacked one that could meet government administration and enterprise needs.

The test seemed to adequately evaluate general English ability for government administration and enterprise employees, said Wu, adding he hoped the TOPE could improve English levels.

According to Topeak Co. Ltd., a Beijing-based company cooperating with ETS in promoting the TOPE in China, the test will be launched in six cities next year, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dalian and Chengdu. The ETS plans to give the test four or five times a year.

ETS testing expert Alexandra Woodford said the pilot test, which attracted about 1,000 candidates, provided abundant samples for the evaluation. ETS would make a thorough study of the pilot and prepare for TOPE's official launch next year.

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