ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we address the problem of context in the field of specific purposes language testing. The chapter provides a descriptive example of assessment practices which are situated within the occupational domain of international aviation with multicultural and multilingual actors. The chapter describes a transdisciplinary research (TR) approach to high-stakes test development (i.e., construct specification and validation), informed by selected social theories (English as a lingua franca, intercultural awareness, interactional competence, and distributed cognition). We highlight the role of these social theories and the engagement of transdisciplinary stakeholders from different disciplinary and professional communities who share a collective interest in the complex issue of testing the English aural/oral language proficiency of pilots and air traffic controllers, to illustrate the value of a transdisciplinary approach in high-stakes test development within specialized professional contexts.
