ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the development and usage of a localized English Assessment developed for the Malaysian Public Service. Launched in 1998 and initially developed for the Administrative and Diplomatic Scheme, the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) has been designed to put in place a mechanism for recommending suitable training for these officers. Over the years, the assessment has been repurposed to assume a much more important role of fast-tracking Malaysian public service officers to higher positions. This initiative has been extended to officers from other schemes and grade levels. This assessment is an example of how a job-related English for specific purposes test was developed for use in a very specific context in Malaysia. With this assessment, many other models for different target groups have been developed, bringing to fruition the English Language Testing System for the Malaysian Public Service.
