Language Assessment

Language Assessment

1. Collects information & makes decision about language learner ability

   • Test performance
   • Score
   • Learner's capacity
   • Inference

2. Types

   • Proficiency Assessment
     • Skill in real world + context
   • Achievement Assessment
     • Learning in a program (grades)

3. Purposes

   • Curriculum
   • Communication
   • Accountability

4. Test method

   • Elicit particular response in test-takers
   • Characteristics
     • Settings
     • Rubrics
     • Input
     • Output
     • Relation between input & output
     • Related to Validation
       • Sub-types
         • Content
         • Criterion-related
         • Construct
   • Test analysis
     • Item difficulty
       • Test construct
       • Examinees tested
       • Test use
     • Correlation
       • Similarity of tests measuring the same construct

5. Construct (unconnected to curriculum)

   • Ability/Performance
     • Ability
       • Abstract demostration of knowledge
     • Performance
       • Actual performance of relevant tasks
   • Specific/General purpose
     • Specific
       • Test-tasks represent tasks in target situation
     • General
       • Assesses language in a non specific context
   • Perspective and Specificity

6. Washback

   • Influence of testing in teaching

7. Alternative assessment

   • Observation
   • Portfolios
   • Self-assessment
   • Learning journals
   • Project work
   • Peer-assessment
   • Teacher-developed tasks & simulations
   • Outcome-based assessment