Beijing, 30 November 2024 – The 2024 English Language Assessment Symposium, hosted by the British Council, took place today in Beijing. Experts from China’s Ministry of Education’s National Education Examinations Authority (NEEA), as well as specialists from both China and the UK, gathered to share the latest academic research in the field of English language teaching and assessment. This collaboration demonstrates the power of research in advancing the development of English education and testing. The first batch of "English Testing Research Projects," jointly established by NEEA and the British Council, has successfully concluded. The research findings highlight the positive impact of the China's Standards of English Language Ability (CSE) in advancing assessment development, optimising classroom teaching, and enhancing teacher assessment literacy. The British Council and NEEA are also preparing new funding opportunities for future research projects.
Additionally, the 2023-2024 IELTS Test Taker Performance Big Data Report for Mainland China was officially released during the seminar. The report provides an objective analysis of IELTS test takers' performance in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, revealing trends and insights to support the development of high-level international talent.
Two Decades of Strategic Cooperation to Promote High-Quality Development of English Language Teaching and Assessment in China
Since 2004, the British Council has collaborated with NEEA to administer the IELTS exam in China, and has actively engaged in research to promote the high-quality development of English teaching and assessment. In 2016, the China-UK Education Cooperation Partnership Action Plan was signed by the Education Ministers of both countries, formalising joint efforts to align IELTS and other international English exams with the CSE. By the end of 2018, IELTS and APTIS exams had successfully aligned with the CSE.
With the shared understanding that the development of teaching and assessment requires research support, China and the UK have deepened their cooperation in the field of research. In 2020, NEEA and the British Council jointly established a research fund to support the first batch of 25 "English Assessment Research Projects." These research teams, drawn from multiple universities and research institutions, covered various educational levels, including high school, vocational colleges, universities, and graduate schools.
At the seminar, research findings from the first batch of these funded projects were summarised. The research teams creatively developed different usage scenarios for CSE, showcasing its diverse applications—from supporting multi-dimensional assessment and ensuring exam quality to optimizing classroom teaching and enhancing teachers’ assessment literacy. The integration of IELTS and other international exams with the CSE further demonstrated the important role of language standards in bridging teaching, learning, and assessment, offering valuable insights for the field of language education.
Researchers and participants praised the CSE and its positive impact. Many teachers and students noted that the CSE provides a unified competency standard for teaching, learning, and assessment, which meets the needs of frontline teaching. The "learning-oriented" assessments under the CSE have positively influenced students' autonomous learning capabilities and their English proficiency.
Given the success of the first phase of the research fund, NEEA and the British Council expressed plans to launch the second phase of the English Assessment Research Project, promoting further theoretical innovation and practical applications in English language assessment research.
Nick Thomas, Director China at the British Council and Culture and Education Minister at the British Embassy, said, “The British Council and NEEA have maintained a strategic partnership for over 20 years. We will continue to strengthen our cooperation and work together to further support the development of English assessment and education in China.”
Prof. Barry O’Sullivan, Director English Language Research at the British Council, remarked, “As the academic representative for the UK side during the first research phase, I am honoured to see how the research findings have provided practical guidance for English language teaching in China. With over 90 years of experience in the field of English language research, the British Council looks forward to continuing to leverage its expertise to foster exchange and cooperation between China and the UK in English education.”
Release of IELTS Test Taker Performance Report: Big Data Supports the Development of International Talent
In addition to the forward-looking guidance provided by research, big data analysis in assessment can offer valuable insights into the learning outcomes of Chinese English learners. During the symposium, the 2023-2024 IELTS Test Taker Performance Big Data Report for Mainland China was released, presenting a multi-dimensional analysis of test taker performance in English communication skills. The report helps educational institutions, teachers, test takers, and parents better understand the strengths and weaknesses of students' English proficiency, enabling targeted efforts to enhance their abilities.
The report revealed that in the 2023-2024 academic year, nearly 60% of test takers in Mainland China scored 6.0 or higher in the academic IELTS exam. This upward trend in scores was evident across various regions, cities, and universities, reflecting a continued improvement in the overall English proficiency of test takers. Notably, the progress in output skills, such as writing and speaking, was particularly significant, with average scores for writing and speaking increasing by 0.4 and 0.2, respectively, compared to 2018-2019.
The reasons for taking the IELTS exam have also become more diverse, with an increasing number of test takers taking the exam for purposes such as assessing English proficiency, applying for domestic universities, or seeking employment, in addition to studying abroad. This shift indicates the growing recognition of IELTS as a reliable tool for assessing English ability both domestically and internationally, as well as the younger generation's focus on developing their English communication and cross-cultural skills.
Since 2004, the British Council and the NEEA have collaborated to administer the IELTS exam in Mainland China, empowering English language teaching and international education. With strong support from NEEA, the number and coverage of IELTS testing centers in China have steadily increased. As services improve, the number of testing center partners has risen to 169, covering 44 cities across the country and forming a robust "computer-based + paper-based" testing network.
Ms. Tiffany You, Director Examinations for British Council China, stated, “This year marks the 35th anniversary of the IELTS exam and the 45th anniversary of the British Council’s presence in China. Throughout our collaboration with the Chinese market, we have gained a deep understanding of Chinese test takers. Based on these insights, we have continually improved the support we provide for English language learning and assessment. Moving forward, we will continue to work closely with NEEA to operate IELTS exams fairly and transparently in China, optimising the exam experience for Chinese test takers and helping them develop the English communication skills they need to succeed on the international stage.”