AAsociation of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE)
All the partners involved in the development of BULATS are founder members of ALTE, which have been involved in the development of language assessment in the mother tongue of their own country or region. Founded in 1989 by the Universities of Cambridge and Salamanca, ALTE has grown from its original eight members to 32 plus over 40 affiliate institutions, representing the testing of 27 languages. ALTE was set up to promote the trans-European recognition of language certification by encouraging and developing common standards for all stages of the language testing process. The ALTE Framework of Levels for Language Ability was developed in response to ALTE's objectives and has gained currency throughout Europe as the common standard to which all language qualifications should be linked. The Framework also corresponds to the Common European Framework established by the Council of Europe. For an up-to-date list of ALTE members, contact ALTE at www.alte.org
Alliance Française
Alliance Française is a state-approved, non-profit making organisation, founded in 1883. It is dedicated to the teaching and dissemination of French language and culture, and has over 1,300 centres serving 380,000 students in 133 countries. Globally, the Alliance offers a variety of cultural activities and courses at all levels for people of all ages and occupations. It also offers seven different diplomas in language, civilisation, literature, business French and commercial translation, all set and marked in Paris. www.alliancefr.org
The Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut is a non-profit-making, publicly funded organisation based in Munich. It was founded in 1951 to promote a wider knowledge of the German language abroad and to foster cultural co-operation with other countries. A worldwide organisation, it now has over 140 centres in 76 countries and helps over 108,000 students. The Goethe-Institut plays an important role in providing access to German language and culture all over the world and offers a range of German language examinations, ranging from 'threshold' (basic) level to very advanced, and leading to internationally recognised qualifications in German. www.goethe.de
Universidad de Salamanca
Founded in 1218, the Universidad de Salamanca has a strong international scientific and intellectual reputation, due in part to its promotion of Spanish language and culture, and its teaching and research activities in the field of Spanish as a Foreign Language. The University is responsible for developing, setting, marking and evaluating the official Diplomas in Spanish as a Foreign Language which are issued and certified by the Instituto Cervantes.
