Language for Specific Purposes: Current and Future Issues

Abstract

This article presents a number of issues on the topic of Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) testing that were raised during a plenary discussion at the 30th annual Language Testing Forum. The comments particularly focused on (a) past and current conceptualizations and categorizations of LSP tests, (b) tensions between specificity and practicality in LSP test design, and (c) the role of locality in LSP testing. The views exchanged on each of these themes are reported and considered in light of current research and debates. Suggestions are made for future research in the area of LSP testing.

Notes

¹ Note that as opposed to the ICAO Rating Scale descriptors, which do not explicitly mention the domain, reference is made to the aviation domain in the ICAO Holistic Descriptors. For example, it is stipulated that “proficient speakers shall use a dialect or accent which is intelligible to the aeronautical community” (ICAO Doc 9835 Appendix A ICAO SARPs referring to Annex 1 Personnel Licensing 1.2.9).

² For similar concerns, see Diane Schmitt’s (2012) opinion piece.

³ So far, most research has focused on cognitive processing during reading test completion.