Language Testing

Course Description
This course provides an overview of current developments in the assessment of English language
learners in the context of school learning and academic achievement. The focus is on the
theoretical and practical issues in testing and assessment. The subject examines language
assessment including proficiency and placement tests, high-stakes standardized testing, and
traditional and non-traditional assessment. The subject emphasizes the general principles of
English language test construction and administration.
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Outcomes:
Educ 335 practitioners will be expected to demonstrate:
1. an awareness of various approaches to language assessment and current issues in the field
2. Knowledge on methods in measuring language proficiency and academic achievement
3. An ability to evaluate test format or assessment procedures, with reference to their purpose and
context of use
4. A skill in developing a small -scale test or assessment procedure.
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Contents

 What is Language Test?

 Purposes of Assessment
 Principles of Language Assessment and Testing ( Validity, Reliability ...)
 Types of Assessment ( Formative and Summative)
 Test Specification (Purpose and Relevance)
 Types of Tests (Placement, Achievement, Proficiency …)
 Scoring and Grading/ Rating Process
 Alternative Forms of Assessment Portfolios…
 Stages of Test Development
 The assessment of listening and reading skills
 The design of speaking and writing tests
 The educational and social impact of language tests
 Computer based testing and other innovations
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Topics for the Report
 Test Specification –Purpose and Relevance Scoring and Grading/ Rating Process ( Cagol, Golda)

 Alternative Forms of Assessment –Portfolios, Journals (Dusal , Donabel)

 Stages of Test Development (Bual, Israel)

 The Assessment of Listening skills (Gumapac, Myrna)

 The Assessment of Reading skills (Nicosia, Roden)

 The design of speaking tests(Rosales, Ariel)

 The design of writing tests

&
 The educational and social impact of Language Tests (Torregosa Mischelle)

 Computer based testing and other innovations (Vinculado, Orlando)