The multicultural diversity in Macau encourages the development of English as a lingua franca. This paper discusses reading as a compulsory input of L2 learning and examines reading assessment in language classrooms. To standardize and promote English language learning in Macau, the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) of Macau promulgated the Requirements of Basic Academic Attainment (BAA) for local schools and teachers, to assure students possess adequate proficiency for further studies (pursuing higher education) and employment. In the current study, 9 authentic reading comprehension tests of each grade are assessed from 3 senior secondary schools as a means to investigate English reading proficiency in Macau. 3 teacher raters participated to assess the 9 reading tests according to the BAA requirements. Apart from BAA rating, coh-metrix is used to further analyze the characteristics of the reading passages. This study reveals that different schools and grades have solitary reading test design, and the readability of the test passages are generally lower than the suggested grade level. This study gives an implication that current reading assessment in Macau can hardly help students to develop reading competence and provides some suggestions for reading instruction.
 

reading competence,the Requirements of Basic Academic Attainment,classroom-based assessment,reading skills,test assessment