Discusses criteria used in assessing language for specific purposes tests. Examines the issue of separability of language and content and reinforces points made by Jacoby and McNamara (1999) that second language assessments based entirely on linguistic criteria may fail to satisfy the purpose of the test user, whereas the use of indigenous…

Describes a working model used to determine the target language use in a language for specific purpose test project: the Listening Summary Translation Exam in Taiwanese (LSTE/T). The purpose of the LSTE/T was to evaluate the summary translation ability of applicants who want to work as linguists in law enforcement agencies in the United States.…

Interviewed teachers from around the world to examine a specific purpose (SP) versus general purpose (GP) distinction in their orientations to the work they do. The difference in orientation was signaled in the criteria the teachers use to assess students' writing. (Author)