Introduction to language testing
- 1. 1 Far-western University Faculty of Education B.Ed. in English Education Course Title: Introduction to Language Testing Semester: Fifth Course No. : Eng.Ed.352 Credit Hour: 3 (45 hours) Full marks: 100 Pass marks: 45 1. Course Introduction This is an introductory course on Language Testing. The aim of the course is to introduce the students the basic concepts of language testing and involve them in designing the tests. This course gives them orientation on language testing terminologies and qualities of the tests. 2. Objectives General objectives of this course are to: a) introduce the students to the basic concepts of language testing b) make them familiar with approaches and qualities of language testing. c) expose them to the various types of tests d) provide them exposure to the aspects of language testing e) enable the students to construct test items to measure language skills. 3. Contents with Specific Objectives Specific Objectives Contents in Detail explain the basic concepts of language Testing differentiate between Testing and Evaluation define language testing as a separate discipline Unit One: Introduction to Language Testing 1.1. Testing and Teaching 1.2. Language Testing as a Separate Discipline 1.3. What is to be tested a changing concept 1.4. Testing, Evaluation, Assessment and Examination be familiar with the Approaches to language testing discriminate between different approaches to language testing differentiate between subjective and objective testing Unit Two: Approach to Language Testing 2.1. Background 2.2. The Essay Translation Approach 2.3. The Structural Approach 2.4. The Integrative Approach 2.5. The Functional Approach 2.6. The Communicative Approach 2.7. Subjective vs. Objective Testing Classify language tests Unit Three: Classification of Tests 3.1. Goal Based Tests 3.2. Mode Based Tests 3.3. Medium Based Tests 3.4. Aspect Based Tests 3.5. Reference Based Tests
- 2. 2 describe the sub-skills of language skills Design language tests to measure different skills Unit Four: Testing Language Skills 4.1. Sub Skills of Language Skills 4.2. Testing Listening 4.3. Testing Speaking 4.4. Testing Reading 4.5 Testing Writing Assignment 1 : Designthe test items to measure different language skills distinguish different types of validity explain different types of reliability and ways measuring reliability talk about the qualities of language tests Unit Five: Qualities of Language Tests 5.1. Reliability 5.2. Validity 5.3. Washback Validity 5.4. Practicality 5.5. Scoreability 5.6. Administrability familiar with the techniques of testing grammar vocabulary and pronunciation devise tests to test grammar vocabulary and pronunciation. Unit Six: Testing Language Aspects 6.1. Testing Grammar 6.2. Testing Vocabulary 6.3. Testing Pronunciation Assignment 2 : Designtest items to measure language Aspects develop skills in scoring tests be familiar with scoring techniques Unit Seven: Scoring Tests 7.1. Scoring Subjective Tests 7.2. Scoring Objective Tests 7.3. Scoring Techniques 4. Methodology and Techniques Modes of instruction: Lecture Exercises Guided study Tutorial Independent study Project work Modes of learning: Attending lectures, Doing assignments, Writing papers,
- 3. 3 Independent and private study, Reading books, reviewing journals and papers, Critiquing Group study Peer discussion 5. Evaluation Scheme Internal 40% External 60% The internal examination will be conducted as follow: a) Regularity and class participation 5% b) Quizzes: 3 5% c) Class presentation: 1 20% d) Term paper/assignment: 1 20% e) Mid-term Exam 20% f) Assignment 2 20% g) Group Work and Pair Work/Group Project: 1 10% 6. Prescribed Texts a) J.B. Heaton.(1988). Writing English Language Tests: A practical Guide for Teachers of English as a Second or foreign Language. Longman. b) Hughes, A. Testing for Language Teachers. Delhi. Cambridge University Press. c) Khania, T.R. Examination for Enhanced Learning. Prepared by : Arjun Singh Negi Rajendra Prasad Joshi