Using Internet-based language testing capacity to the private sector

Abstract

Language testing has a large number of commercial applications in both the institutional and private sectors. Some jobs in the health services sector or the public services sector require foreign language skills and these skills require continuous and efficient language assessments. Based on an experience developed through the cooperation of Antwerp University and the Polytechnic University of Valencia, a language testing platform was used to produce simple and multi-language skills assessments for a publishing company. Results indicate that academic low stakes testing platforms can replace efficiently the use of larger tests or costly language testing companies that either are expensive or just do not tailor the tests according to their customer-specific needs properly. Since academic institutions work on a non-profit basis, the revenues can be used for further research or improving their current developments.