Course Contents

Course Content Week 1 What is a test? Assessment and Teaching. (Brown) Brief history of approaches to language testing Current issues in classroom testing Week 2 Objectives and expectations: Some common misconceptions (Bachman & Palmer) Competence in language testing An approach to language test design and development Week 4 Test usefulness: qualities of language tests (Bachman & Palmer) Characteristics of a good test a. Reliability b. Validity c. Practicality Applying principles to the evaluation of classroom tests. (Brown) Week 5 Describing tasks: Language use in language tests Precision in different test tasks A framework of language task characteristics Week 6 Approaches to language testing: The essay- translation approach (Heaton) The structuralist and integrative approach The communicative approach Week 7 Subjective testing (Heaton) Objective test Writing multiple choice items Week 8 MID TERM Week 9 Testing reading Comprehension Initial stages of reading (Heaton) Types of test for reading comprehension Week 10 Testing vocabulary: selection of items Types of test formats for testing vocabulary Week 11 Test of grammar and usage Constructing tests for grammar Constructing error recognition multiple choice items Week 12 Testing Auditory discrimination & Comprehension Tests of Sound/ auditory Discrimination Testing oral production/speaking Constructing the oral test/ Test administration Week 13 Testing writing skills (Heaton) Types of tests/ Grading the composition Week 14 Assessing Young learners (Penny McKay) Week 15 Presentations Week 16 FINAL EXAM

Course Synopsis

The aims of this course are to: • introduce participants to the fundamental principles of language testing and language test evaluation • develop skills in the design, trialling, moderation and validation of testing instruments for a range of purposes including: formative and summative assessment, self-assessment, language profiling • Develop a culture of evaluation among future ELT professionals.

Course Learning Outcomes

Module Learning Outcomes On completion of the course students will be able to: • describe and discuss a range of contexts, purposes and methods for language testing • discuss and critique the appropriacy and usefulness of various methods for testing writing, speaking, listening, reading and integrated skills • plan and organize the test development process, specification of test tasks and procedures • analyze, describe and report data derived from test scores using a range of techniques including item analysis, estimation of reliability, investigation of validity and potential test bias • describe and discuss appropriate techniques for the evaluation of language tests • understand of the theoretical principles of evaluation and testing. • apply evaluation principles to specific areas of ELT practice (e.g. teaching, materials, learner outcomes and professional development). • apply them in an overall evaluation strategy. • develop applicable frameworks for evaluating teaching and learning situations