ERIC Number: ED227702
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1983
Reference Count: N/A
Foreign Language Testing: A Practical Approach.
Finocchiaro, Mary; Sako, Sydney
This text on foreign language testing provides an overview of testing principles, problems, and practices, and examines the multiple roles of the classroom teacher, as well as the construction and scoring of more formal language tests. The following types or foreign language tests are distinguished: achievement or attainment tests, proficiency tests, diagnostic language tests, and aptitude tests. The importance of validity, reliability, comprehensiveness, and practicality in preparing and using foreign language tests is also considered. Student measurement, instructional evaluation, and curriculum evaluation are identified as uses of language test results. The importance of determining test objectives for formal tests is addressed. Formal language tests include language aptitude tests, specialized terminology tests in special purpose courses, language behavior tests, communicative competence tests, and translation tests. The following additional topics are addressed: the preparation of alternate forms, pretesting and posttesting, special grading systems used in achievement tests, grading systems for proficiency tests, and writing a test manual. Appended materials include a test administration manual for listening and reading comprehension of English for speakers of other languages; examples of test items; and a bibliography of books and articles, periodicals and reports, organizations, test publishers, and tests (with information on each test). (SW)
Descriptors: Achievement Tests, Aptitude Tests, Communicative Competence (Languages), Diagnostic Tests, English (Second Language), Language Skills, Language Tests, Listening Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Second Languages, Teacher Made Tests, Teacher Role, Test Construction, Test Items, Test Reliability, Test Validity, Testing Problems, Writing Skills
Regents Publishing Company, Inc., 2 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016 ($9.95).
Publication Type: Books; Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A