Language exams as a policy instrument

Abstract

Utilising language management theory (Jernudd and Neustupný 1987; Nekvapil 2016), this paper explores motivations for the language exam as an instrument of organised management in the form of policy in the Czech context and analyzes its outcomes more than ten years after its initial implementation. First, we provide an overview of research on language testing as a form of organised management, discussing how emphasis has been placed on citizenship, and explain the relevance of researching the use of language exams for permanent residence in the European Union, where an important distinction is made between EU and non-EU citizens. We consider the selection of the appropriate Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level for the exam and the overall question of exemptions, which may raise doubts about the exam’s overall effectivity as a tool for the linguistic integration of foreigners. We show that there are several tendencies in the understanding of the situation by individuals who have already passed the exam, including the view of it as a mere formality, and, conversely, as a major hurdle. We conclude by exploring potential policy consequences of these outcomes, emphasising the idea that language support from the state and employers needs to be provided intensively and immediately following the individuals’ arrival in the country.