Sheryl Cooke’s dissertation proposes rethinking the English language testing standards
The main premise of Cooke’s work is that the context of English use in the contemporary global community requires a reconsideration of how we test English language proficiency. The discussion aims to demonstrate that the focus of English language tests should be on a test taker’s ability to produce comprehensible speech rather than on the proximity of their language to an idealised ‘native speaker’ form. This shift in mindset – or failure to change – will have consequences for individual English speakers from all language backgrounds, for educational systems, and for broader society.
Unprecedented in its widespread use, English today is truly a global lingua franca. It is the international language of trade, academia, and diplomacy. It is spoken by at least some people in most countries of the world and connects speakers from a myriad of different language backgrounds. The language takes on a variety of roles and many different identities as it is moulded to express ideas and share knowledge. It is dynamic, changing to suit different purposes, different speakers, different contexts.
“English as a lingua franca – or ‘ELF’ as it is commonly known – is not one fixed form. Rather, it is a communicative tool, adapting and changing to meet the needs of its users”, Cooke explains.
English language belongs to everyone in the global world
On any given day, most English conversations happening around the world do not involve a native speaker of the language. The language has become untethered from the culture and speakers traditionally associated with English, and people no longer learn English to interact only with native speakers. As a lingua franca, English belongs not only to the English, Americans, Australians but, alongside their other languages, to the Chinese, Mexicans, Finns and many others who wish to engage with the wider world.
ELF is fluid and dynamic, defying clear definition and this is at odds with the practice of language assessment which is interested in measuring a speaker’s performance in English in relation to a fixed standard.
“While there has been growing recognition and acceptance of variability in the use of English in international communication and even in language teaching classrooms, many English language tests continue to apply ‘native speaker’ criteria, leading to negative consequences for test takers who are successful real-life communicators in English.”
MA Sheryl Cooke defends her doctoral dissertation in Applied linguistics (CALS) "The Assessment of English as a Lingua Franca and the Comprehensibility Construct" on May 3, 2025 at 12 in Agora Auditorium 2 in Mattilanniemi Campus of the Ģֱ. The opponent is professor Luke Harding (Lancaster University) and custos professor Ari Huhta.
The event is in English, and it will be streamed at .
The dissertation is accessible in JYX:
Contact details:
Sheryl.cooke@britishcouncil.org
Phone: +44 749 828 8883
