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On January 16, GEC Academy concluded its multi-city Product Launch Tour in Beijing, following events in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Wuhan, and Chengdu. Co-hosted by GEC Academy and Oxford University Press (OUP), the Beijing event marked the official launch of the Oxford Test of English Advanced in mainland China, together with the unveiling of GEC’s comprehensively upgraded product portfolio. Themed on Assessing Real-World English Skills, the event brought together language assessment experts and education leaders from China and abroad to explore evolving approaches to English proficiency assessment and their role within globally oriented education pathways.
In the opening remarks, Mr. Sheng Yan, CEO of GEC Academy, announced that GEC Academy has been officially appointed as an exclusive authorized partner of OUP for the Oxford Test of English Advanced in mainland China. He noted that the partnership represents a long-term commitment to building a future-oriented infrastructure for international education.
“We believe that rigorous and reliable English assessment should serve diverse goals, whether for academic study, research, professional development, or global engagement,” Mr. Yan said. “One of GEC’s aims is to translate real-world language ability and international competence into a clear, step-by-step growth pathway for learners, where assessment, teaching, and practice reinforce one another.”
Keynote Speech: Accessing Real-World English Skills, by Professor Anthony Green, Director of the Center for Research in English Language Learning and Assessment at OUP and former President of the International Language Testing Association
In the keynote session, Professor Anthony Green outlined the positioning and core objectives of the Oxford Test of English Advanced. He highlighted how the test’s computer-adaptive design and highly contextualized tasks are intended to ensure scientific validity and fairness, while accurately reflecting how English is used in academic and real-world settings.
“The Oxford Test of English Advanced was designed not only to assess knowledge of the language, but to capture how learners communicate and respond in diverse academic and social contexts,” Professor Green said. “By grounding assessment in real-life scenarios, we aim to ensure that learners are prepared not just for study, but for future international work and engagement.”
Panel Discussion: How Can International Assessment Meet Diverse Needs?
Hosted by Mr. Yan, the panel discussion explored how international English assessment can better address the diverse needs of learners and institutions, from the perspective of how global assessment standards can be meaningfully adapted to local contexts, as well as how assessment can play a broader role in supporting teaching, learning, and skill development beyond selection alone. Participants agreed that well-designed international assessments, when implemented thoughtfully, can bridge global standards and local practice while supporting more inclusive and future-oriented learning pathways.
Parallel Sessions: Global Standards, Diverse Needs: Implementing Real-Life English Assessment in China; Discover Opportunities with GEC and OUP in China
During the parallel sessions, GEC announced a comprehensive upgrade of its research and learning initiatives, designed to support diverse learning needs and strengthen students’ academic capabilities and overall competencies. The upgraded portfolio includes LUMINAI Robocrafters Camp, Oxford Test of English Advanced, The LASER Award in Research Skills for Academic Study, and the Global Skills Project (GSP).
Through this season’s multi-city Product Launch Tour, GEC presented a more integrated vision for education, which connects real-world language ability with broader academic growth and skills development. By combining internationally aligned assessment, research-based learning, and skills-oriented programs, GEC seeks to equip learners with academic strength, global perspective, and the adaptability needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Take a look back at some of the highlights at the event:
