Language tests, linguistic gatekeeping and global mobility

ABSTRACT

Language tests are increasingly being used as gatekeeping tools in a globalised world. This article examines the processes of linguistic gatekeeping by the use of language tests in the context of migration. We draw on half a dozen cases of test-takers of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test who applied for entry into Australia on student, work or residency visa. We argue that while test-using migration programmes in countries such as Australia may give the impression that language tests are required for diagnosis of applicants’ ‘linguistic health’ and certification of ‘linguistic immunity’, official demands of language test scores may also be only distantly related to their actual language ability. From test-takers’ perspectives, the processes of linguistic gatekeeping can be linked to profit-making, suggesting how neoliberalism relates to immigration. In a neoliberal policy context, migration desires can be capitalised by gatekeeping authorities for their education and labour markets; these authorities may also capitalise on gatekeeping mechanisms such as language tests and test scores as commodified policy artefacts. Policy concerns for migrants’ linguistic health may, then, be related to financial health of testing industries. The article contributes to our understanding of the relationships between language policy and globalisation by illustrating the linguistic management of global mobility in transnational migration.

KEYWORDS:

• Language tests
• linguistic health
• language policy
• migration
• Australia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

M. Obaidul Hamid http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3205-6124

Notes

1 TOEFL is owned by Education Testing Services. Please refer to https://www.ets.org/. PTE is owned by Pearson. Refer to www.pearsonpte.com

2 Le was a colleague of one of the authors with whom she shared her IELTS story. She also gave consent to the use of her story in this paper in a de-identified manner.

3 Refer to https://migrationalliance.com.au/immigration-daily-news/entry/2014-03-cpa-skills-assessment-certificates-being-held-back-by-ielts-validity-dates.html

4 This case was selected from Hoang’s (2018) research on IELTS and TOEFL from test-takers’ perspectives. Lorita was interviewed on 3 August 2014. Ethical clearance was obtained for the research from an Australian university.

5 Refer to http://ielts-sucks.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/ielts-bottom-line.html.

6 Refer to the above website.

7 The article can be found in the following link: https://independentaustralia.net/australia/australia-display/testing-skilled-migrants-english-ridiculous-and-insulting,5989

8 This submission is available at: http://www.tesol.org.au/files/files/577_Sub292_-_ACTA_sub_to_Citizenship_Inquiry_July_2017.pdf

9 The audio and transcript of the Radio National programme is available in the following link: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/language-barriers/2948964 The 51 comments are also available from this site.

10 This policy statement was supplied by Cambridge English Language Assessment following the authors’ request for evidence of the score use policy.

11 Copied from an IELTS brochure entitled ‘Ensuring quality and fairness in international language testing’. Available at www.ielts.org