In July 2014, after a couple of years’ development work, Eaquals Associate Member, Pearson launched the Global Scale of English (GSE) Learning Objectives for Adults – a set of Can Do statements to support the learning, teaching and assessment of Adult learners. Ten years on and that initial set of Adult learning objectives now form just a small part of the resources and tools that have been developed to support learners, educators, ministries of education, employees and employers around the world.

This year, Pearson celebrate the 10^th anniversary since the launch of the GSE and reflect on the advancement in language learning, teaching and assessment in recent years, with the launch of their brand-new report, The Global Scale of English: Reflections on 10 years of innovation.

What is the Global Scale of English?

The GSE is both a proficiency scale and a language framework designed to provide a detailed understanding of learners’ English levels. It is the result of extensive global research and goes beyond other language measurement tools, such as the CEFR, to offer unparalleled insights into learners’ skills.

The GSE ensures optimal learner placement and measurable progress tracking. It provides tangible insights into learners’ English language competencies, boosting motivation and confidence.

Accurately place learners: Easily measure reading, writing, listening and speaking skills on the simple 10-90 scale.

Measure and fast-track progress: Learning objectives describing what learners ‘can do’ at each point on the scale enable the creation of personalized learning journeys, short-term learning goals and the monitoring of progress towards these goals.

In just a decade, the GSE has grown to support educators, learners and businesses across diverse learning stages.

The evolution of the GSE

From the initial set of 100 new GSE Learning Objectives, they now have almost 4,000 for all types of learners, from pre-primary to adults learning English for academic study and work. Their resources include comprehensive grammar and vocabulary databases, text analysis software and job-specific tools, all aligned to the GSE.

Pearson stated that they wouldn’t be where they are today without the support of thousands of people around the world. This includes researchers, psychometricians and the 6,000+ teachers who collaborated with them to rate and validate the new learning objectives.

Key milestones

The GSE’s journey is marked by many key milestones that highlight its growth and impact on global language education. Here are but a few notable achievements to showcase how far the GSE has come.

Plans and frameworks: The GSE resources provide guidance and support for the language learning process. Key educational frameworks, including for Pre-Primary learners, Young Learners, General Adult Learners, plus frameworks for Academic and Professional English use, have been developed to help support English teaching in all contexts and for all ages. Educators can use these frameworks to deliver effective lessons, plan curriculums, shape learning and develop lessons further.

Recognition and awards: Recognition for the GSE by other education bodies such as the Council of Europe (CEFR), EAQUALS, NEAS and ACCET has strengthened its reputation within the worldwide education community. Furthermore, the GSE’s nomination for the British Council ELTons Award for Innovation in Teacher Resources in 2020 further demonstrates its value and growing recognition.

Tools and applications: Teachers and students can benefit from the GSE Toolkit and GSE Text Analyzer. These tools provide helpful resources for educators and learners to make the most of the GSE. The GSE Job Profiles is an innovative resource that connects language learning with specific job requirements.

Global Scale of Languages expansion: It doesn’t just stop with English either. The GSE’s expansion now includes the Global Scale of Languages (GSL) for French, German, Spanish and Italian, demonstrating our commitment to supporting language learners and educators across multiple languages.

What’s next?

The 10-year anniversary of the Global Scale of English represents a significant milestone in language education. The GSE, underpinning Pearson’s English learning programs, including the Pearson English Journey, aims to provide detailed, accurate, and personalized learning for students worldwide. Person look forward to another decade of supporting learners, educators and businesses.

Read The Global Scale of English: Reflections on 10 years of innovation, and find out how to the GSE can enhance your teaching today.