TESTING GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY AMONG MILITARY CADETS OF THE SECURITY SERVICE OF UKRAINE IN LINE WITH STANAG 6001 STANDARDS

Grammar and vocabulary testing have long been a cornerstone of language proficiency assessment, historically identified with language competence.However, with the development of language proficiency tests, there has been a shift towards assessing practical language skills in real-world settings, particularly in the military.This shift is particularly relevant within the framework of STANAG 6001, where language proficiency tests are designed to assess the communicative competence of military personnel in high-stakes situations, such as military operations, where functional language use is paramount.Despite the increasing focus on language testing in action, grammar and vocabulary remain critical components of language proficiency, directly impacting the ability of cadets to perform military tasks such as following orders, writing reports, and participating in operational discussions.This paper explores the balance between assessing grammar and vocabulary and the primary goal of language proficiency within the STANAG 6001 framework: the ability to use language effectively under pressure.The research focuses on the need to reassess the traditional components of grammar and vocabulary, ensuring that they are relevant to both pedagogical and operational purposes.Drawing on Hughes's Testing for Language Teachers (2nd edition), this research is based on Bachman and Palmer's construct validity framework, which emphasizes the importance of testing real-world tasks rather than isolated language knowledge.It also integrates Long's interaction hypothesis and Vygotsky's sociocultural theory into Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT), which emphasize the importance of interactive communication and cultural context in language learning.The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data, to examine the relationships between stress, motivation, self-efficacy, and performance on grammar and vocabulary tasks.The STANAG 6001 tests are scored using a multi-level language proficiency scale, with proficiency levels ranging from 1 (survival) to 5 (nativelike fluency).This study highlights the importance of assessing cadets' ability to perform language tasks under pressure, focusing on practical communication skills in operational settings.In addition, the study recommends incorporating more authentic military contexts into testing, addressing stress management in military training programs, and enhancing selfefficacy through targeted support systems.Ultimately, this research aims to improve language proficiency assessments by ensuring that grammar and vocabulary tests not only measure knowledge but also reflect the real-world communication skills necessary for military success.