Language Testing

This series provides brief, clear introductions to the main disciplinary areas of language study. This book examines test design, the rating process, validity, measurement, and the social dimension of language testing. Traditional and newer forms of language assessment are considered.

Preface

ix

Author's preface

xi

SECTION 1 Survey

1

(86)

Testing, testing...What is a language test?

3

(10)

Understanding language testing

4

(1)

Types of test

5

(1)

Test purpose

6

(1)

The criterion

7

(3)

The test--criterion relationship

10

(1)

Conclusion

11

(2)

Communication and the design of language tests

13

(10)

Discrete point tests

13

(1)

Integrative and pragmatic tests

14

(2)

Communicative language tests

16

(1)

Models of communicative ability

17

(4)

Conclusion

21

(2)

The testing cycle

23

(12)

Understanding the constraints

24

(1)

Test content

25

(1)

Test method

26

(1)

Authenticity of response

27

(2)

Fixed and constructed response formats

29

(2)

Test specifications

31

(1)

Test trials

32

(1)

Conclusion

33

(2)

The rating process

35

(12)

Establishing a rating procedure

36

(1)

The problem with raters

37

(1)

Establishing a framework for making judgements

38

(2)

Rating scales

40

(3)

Holistic and analytic ratings

43

(1)

Rater training

44

(1)

Conclusion

44

(3)

Validity: testing the test

47

(8)

Threats to test validity

50

(1)

Test content

50

(2)

Test method and test construct

52

(1)

The impact of tests

53

(1)

Conclusion

54

(1)

Measurement

55

(12)

Introduction

55

(1)

Measurement

56

(1)

Quality control for raters

56

(3)

Investigating the properties of individual test items

59

(3)

Norm-referenced and criterion-referenced measurement

62

(2)

New approaches to measurement

64

(1)

Conclusion

65

(2)

The social character of language tests

67

(12)

Introduction

67

(1)

The institutional character of assessment

68

(1)

Assessment and social policy

68

(1)

Assessment and educational policy

69

(1)

The social responsibility of the language tester

70

(2)

Ethical language testing

72

(1)

Accountability

72

(1)

Washback

73

(1)

Test impact

74

(1)

Codes of professional ethics for language testers

75

(1)

Critical language testing

76

(1)

Conclusion

77

(2)

New directions --- and dilemmas?

79

(8)

Computers and language testing

79

(2)

Technology and the testing of speaking

81

(2)

Dilemmas: whose performance?

83

(4)

SECTION 2 Readings

87

(34)

SECTION 3 References

121

(10)

SECTION 4 Glossary

131

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Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials