Language requirements and language testing for immigration and integration purposes

摘要: The present document is the result of a literature-based study recent developments in field language requirements and testing for immigration integration purposes. was carried out as part regular research programme 2011-2014 at Swiss national Research Centre on Multilingualism (RCM)1. introduction use formal tests prerequisites obtaining entry visas, residence permits and/or citizenship are fairly but rapidly evolving practices many Western countries, particularly Europe. These assessments have been made object academic debate research, subject several scholarly publications. This report seeks to structured overview aspects these assessments; basis our provided by corpus summary literature put forward this paper divided into two main chapters. first provides an developments, mainly over past decade, regarding immigration, residency naturalization; it also describes new, different stages process. Because information presented often based accounts academics critical new tendencies, chapter introduces contested issues, primarily from perspective. second deals systematically with topics ongoing purposes under consideration major categories assessment validation Bachman & Palmer’s (2010) Assessment Use Argument (AUA) framework providing conceptual background account. 1 | authors would like thank Severine Beaud Duarte Rodrigues great contribution she collection screening publications early phase project. valuable comments internal reviewer, Thomas Studer, greatly appreciated. Our concludes series recommendations future assessment-related publications, practices. Overall, findings confirm subjectively perceived increase (sometimes complemented cultural knowledge testing) ’Western’ Europe, decade. Although common general trend discernible, we able observe considerable diversity concrete definition corresponding assessments, instance, levels proficiency required. analyses reveal that published treats various involved rather unevenly. In particular, only very few papers actually aimed demonstrate (or challenge) validity specific test its use. Most deal either meaningfulness content respect skills selected (typically ‘sufficient integrate society’) beneficence preparatory leading up hold stakeholders, or they raise questions about immigrants per se which so fundamental nature marginally accommodated existing frameworks. conclusion, make work concerning following points: inclusion disciplines specialising social, ethical legal related purposes; commitment accountability systematic within up-to-date framework; employment needs design use; need more impact studies regimes; desirability transparency outcomes.