Abstract:

This study is aimed to investigate the results of the English language diagnostic test for the first year undergraduate students (n=1460) at BMSTU Department of English for Industrial Engineering. The norm-referenced test was derived from a shortened version of Russian Unified State Exam in English. The scores obtained by the test takers were used to evaluate their reading, writing and speaking skills as well as to determine their readiness for the ESP instruction during the Bachelor’s degree course. The results of this investigation demonstrated that the students showed the highest reading and the lowest speaking test scores. The data collected helped to reveal and measure the most problematic components of communicative competence in order to develop a learning-centered ESP course syllabus, which includes highly interactive models using role-playing, experiential activities, and collaborative exercises.

Keywords:

EFL testing, foreign language proficiency, communicative competence.