Language Testing

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Language Testing

• Topic 1. Introduction Overview

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1.1 Basic concepts and key terms

• Language testing
• It is a branch of applied linguistics.It is
  evident that the field is interdisciplinary. That
  is, it draws on a wide number of perspectives
  associated with different disciplines.(Educational
  Theories, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics,
  Educational Measurement, Educational Statistics,
  Computer Science,and etc.).
• In TEFL, this is a theoretical concept, concerned
  with testing theories, test construction
  principles and methods, test results analysis and
  interpretation, and etc.

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• Language ability
• Current capacity to perform an act. Language
  testing is concerned with a subset of cognitive
  or mental abilities, and therefore with skills
  underlying behavior (for example, reading
  ability, speaking ability) as well as with
  potential ability to learn a language (aptitude).
• Ability is difficult both to define and to
  investigate, no doubt because, like all
  constructs, it cannot be observed directly. Much
  of language testing is concerned with
  establishing the validity of such constructs.
• (See Bachman, Lyle F. 1990. Fundamental
  Considerations in Language Testing. Shanghai
  SFEP, pp3 6.)

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• Backwash/Washback
• The effect of testing on teaching and learning.
  Language test backwash is said to be either
  positive or negative.
• Impact
• The effect of a test on individuals, on
  educational systems and on society in general.
• Sometimes it is used interchangeably with
  backwash.

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1.2 Distinctions of the terms measurement, test
and evaluation

• Please refer to Bachman, Lyle F. 1990.
  Fundamental Considerations in Language Testing.
  Shanghai SFEP. pp18 23.

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1.3 The relationship between teaching and testing
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1.4 The sources of inaccurate tests
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1.5 Functions of tests/ Reasons for Testing

• 1.5.1 functions in teaching and learning
• Tests are used in teaching as a means to ensure
  effective teaching, to improve teaching quality,
  to obtain feedback on student learning progress,
  to validate teaching programs, and to select
  certain candidates for a job or for a place on a
  course.
• In learning, tests are used to measure students
  language ability, to discover how much they have
  been learning, to diagnose students strengths
  and weaknesses, and to motivate students in
  learning.

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• 1.5.2 functions in research
• Language tests have a potentially important
  role in virtually all research, both basic and
  applied, that is related to the nature of
  language proficiency, language processing,
  language acquisition, language attrition, and
  language teaching.

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1.6. Discussion questions

• 1. What is the relationship between language
  testing and language teaching?
• 2. What can we do with language testing in
  language teaching?
• 3. What are the two main sources of inaccurate
  tests?