General Tests of English Language Proficiency (G-TELP) are English language tests, developed by the International Testing Services Center (ITSC) in 1985. They comprehensively evaluate the practical English use ability of test takers who do not speak English as their native language.[1]
There are different forms of the exam: The G-TELP Test consists of areas such as grammar, listening, reading and vocabulary totaling a possible 99 score. There are also the G-TELP Speaking and Writing Tests. The G-TELP speaking test is composed of tasks that assess content, grammar, fluency, vocabulary, and pronunciation of content. The G-TELP Writing test is composed of tasks that assess grammar, vocabulary, organization, substance, and style. Both assessments use a score scale of Level 1 to Level 11. [2]
History
In 1983, the International Testing Services Center under San Diego State University conducted research on the development of an English test with professors, linguists, and evaluation experts from the University of California, Los Angeles, Georgetown University, and Rado International College.[3] For about three years after the completion of development, feasibility was verified and completed through sample surveys and preliminary test trials in countries around the world, including the United States, China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, and the test began officially in 1985.
ITSC develops, administers, and evaluates G-TELP tests for people of all ages. ITSC is a research-oriented, independent educational measurement and evaluation organization that aims to provide equal educational opportunities to people all over the world.
Currently, tests are being conducted in the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Argentina and Saudi Arabia. San Diego State University, Georgetown University, and Lado International College administered G-TELP as a college admission test.[4][5]
The G-TELP is made by licensed and qualified agents in many countries. The test is a comprehensive English proficiency assessment to measure competence in grammar, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. It assesses general English language proficiency instead of focusing on merely academic or business contexts, with multiple-choice four-choice questions.
The G-TELP provides score quickly. Conveniently, test takers receive the announcement of results within a week of the test date. It also provides comprehensive analysis and diagnosis through absolute evaluation.
The G-TELP is criterion-referenced rather than norm-referenced like other commonly-used tests are. The criterion referenced method analyzes the language abilities of A and B in addition to the simple comparison between A and B. The strengths and weaknesses of each structure and question information type are analyzed and diagnosed in detail. The test enhances the educational outcomes by suggesting the learning direction of the examinees.
The G-TELP Level Test consists of 5 levels from Level One, the highest level, Level Five, the lowest. By focusing on a specific level of proficiency, each test achieves more extensive sampling of performance than a single test which assesses multiple levels. Listening skills are more emphasized at the lowest level, Level Five, and reading skills are more emphasized at the highest level.[7]
Test formats and content
This is a comprehensive English proficiency assessment consisting of three areas: grammar, listening, and reading and vocabulary. Each item is composed of multiple choice questions. Scoring is carried out in the absolute evaluation method, and the test is composed of five levels, so it is possible to evaluate each level.[8]
Level
Questionnaire method and time
Evaluation standard
Level 1
Listening: 30 questions (about 30 minutes)
Reading and Vocabulary: 60 questions (70 minutes)
Able to communicate on an equal basis with foreigners who speak their native language
Able to interpret international conferences
Level 2
Grammar: 26 questions (20 minutes)
Listening: 26 questions (about 30 minutes)
Reading and Vocabulary: 28 questions (40 minutes)
Able to communicate without difficulty in daily life and business counseling
Able to attend meetings and seminars with foreigners, and study abroad
Level 3
Grammar: 22 questions (20 minutes)
Listening: 24 questions (about 20 minutes)
Reading and Vocabulary: 24 questions (40 minutes)
Able to travel overseas and simple business trips
Level 4
Grammar: 20 questions (20 minutes)
Listening: 20 questions (about 15 minutes)
Reading and Vocabulary: 20 questions (25 minutes)
Able to communicate through short sentences of basic vocabulary
Level 5
Grammar: 16 questions (15 minutes)
Listening: 16 questions (about 15 minutes)
Reading and Vocabulary: 18 questions (25 minutes)
Able to listen and understand daily greetings and introductions
Test scores
The G-TELP's personal score report includes the Overall Proficiency, which indicates whether the grade is Mastery , the Skill Area Scores, which are grammar, listening, reading, and vocabulary scores, and the Task/Structure Score. Linking G-TELP score ranges to other scores. The comparison scores are provided by G-TELP Korea, the company that performs the G-TELP tests.[9][10]
G-TELP Speaking
G-TELP Speaking is an internationally recognized English Speaking test developed by the evaluation experts of the International Testing Services Center. The Speaking test assesses grammar, vocabulary, organization, substance, and style. The G-TELP Speaking Test takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The test has about 30 questions and a score range between Level 1 and Level 11, with test takers grouped into eleven proficiency levels for Speaking.[11][12]
G-TELP Writing
G-TELP Writing is a test that evaluates practical English writing skills of non-native English speakers in everyday life. The writing topics of G-TELP Writing are based on real life and consist of problems that can occur frequently in daily life, such as responding to letters or inquiries, writing reports, and writing journals. In addition, the writing topics and questions are structured so that the test takers can improve the correct composition, expression, and style of writing in English.
The test lasts about 60 minutes and consists of 5 areas. It is composed of tasks that assess grammar, vocabulary, organization, substance, and style. The test has a score range between level 1 and the level 11, with test takers grouped into eleven proficiency levels for Writing.[13]
G-TELP Business
G-TELP Business is evaluates the ability to use English in a business setting containing business-oriented materials, topics and situations. The examinee's proficiency is measured through his/her responses to the various work-related situations and conditions presented.[14][15]
G-TELP Business Speaking
G-TELP Business Speaking evaluates an examinee’s ability to use English to communicate in a business setting. The test includes Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced sections that evaluate proficiency at eleven levels of practical ability. The test assesses Content, grammar, fluency, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The G-TELP Business Speaking Test takes approximately 35 minutes to complete. The test has about 30 questions and a score range between Level 1 and Level 11.
G-TELP Business Writing
G-TELP Business Writing evaluates an examinee’s ability to write clearly and effectively in a business setting. The test lasts about 60 minutes and consists of 5 areas. It is composed of tasks that assess grammar, vocabulary, organization, style, and substance. The test has a score range between level 1 and the level 11.[16]
G-TELP Jr.
G-TELP Jr. is a test that evaluates the practical English proficiency of elementary and middle school students. It consists of a total of 5 grades and evaluates grammar, listening, reading comprehension and vocabulary. It is scored in an absolute evaluation method.[17]
Countries
This is a global English proficiency evaluation certification test conducted internationally. Test takers can take G-TELP in more than 14 countries.
In China, it was used as a system to evaluate the communication skills of hotel and lodging establishments in the China National Tourism Administration,[21] and is being used at the government level, such as being used for the 2008 Summer Olympics Organizing Committee's English Language Proficiency Test and Volunteer Selection Test.
In United States, It is used as a qualification for official language proficiency in the Korean-American college student training program also known as WEST.
^Kelly, Paula C. (1988). Accessing A Global Language: A Comparison of G-TELP and TOEFL Performance (EdD). University of San Diego.
^Kim, Hyongjung; Seol, Hyunsoo (2021). "A Study on the Validity of the G-TELP Level Test". The Research Institute of Korean Education. 39: 23–38. doi:10.22327/kei.2021.39.4.023.
^Kim, Hyongjong (2021). A Study on the Validity of G-TELP Level Test (Master). The Graduate School of Chung-ang University.
^Kawakami, S. (2005). "An Additional Check on the First Level-5 G-TELP Test to Be Carried Out at NIT as a CRT : The Domain Score Dependability Method and the S-P Chart Diagnosis". 日本工業大學硏究報告. 34: 15–24.
^Ogasawara, Shinji (2012). "How to Effectively Teach English to Students in the Proficiency-Based English Classes". Journal of Research and Development Center for Higher Education. 3: 9–20.
^Seol, H. (2022-03-30). jamovi 통계프로그램의 이해와 활용. Seoul: 학지사. ISBN9788999726576.
^Lee, Jeeyeon (2018). "An Analysis Study of the Test Usefulness of Five Standardized EFL Tests for Korean Civil Service Employment Exam". Studies in English Education. 23: 739–768.
