Language Testing Approaches Quiz and Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of formative assessment?

To provide feedback to students on their learning progress (correct)
To evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period
To predict student performance on a standardized test
To rank students based on their performance

Which type of test is designed to provide feedback on student mastery of specific learning objectives?

Formative assessment
Criterion-referenced test (correct)
Summative assessment
Norm-referenced test

What is the main concern in scoring norm-referenced tests?

Improving instructional methods
Money and efficiency (correct)
Providing feedback to students
Measuring student mastery of learning objectives

What is the purpose of informal assessment?

To monitor student learning during the instructional period (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of test is typically used to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period?

Summative assessment (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of structural approach to language testing?

Individual language skills assessment (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of reliability in language testing?

To ensure consistency in scoring (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern in criterion-referenced tests?

Assessing student mastery of specific learning objectives (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of alternative assessment?

Continuous long-term assessment (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of test is used to compare a student's performance to that of their peers?

Norm-referenced test (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of formative assessment?

To identify areas where students need additional support (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of criterion-referenced tests?

Evaluate student performance based on a predetermined standard (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of computer-based testing?

Practice for upcoming standardized tests (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of summative assessment?

The product or outcome of learning (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of informal assessment?

To observe student behavior and learning in a natural setting (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of intelligence is related to problem-solving skills?

Logical-mathematical intelligence (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of dictation in language assessment?

To evaluate overall textual comprehension (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind the Unitary Trait Hypothesis?

Language proficiency is an indivisible trait (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key feature of Communicative Language Testing?

Focus on real-life language use (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of Performance-Based Assessment?

It has high content validity (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of Integrative Tests?

They only measure linguistic competence (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of Criterion-Referenced Tests?

To compare learners to a standard (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of Norm-Referenced Tests?

They compare learners to a norm or group (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of Formative Assessment?

To identify areas for improvement during learning (C) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Types of Assessment

Formative assessment is used to improve learning, and summative assessment is used to evaluate learning.
Norm-referenced tests compare test-takers' scores to a mean, median, standard deviation, and percentile rank.
Criterion-referenced tests give feedback on course or lesson objectives, and are used in classroom-based assessment.

Approaches to Language Testing

Structural approach (1950s) views learning as the acquisition of habits, and focuses on contrastive analysis, phonology, vocabulary, and grammar.
This approach tests one skill at a time, and uses statistical measures of reliability and objectivity.

Current Issues in Classroom Testing

New views on intelligence, including Howard Gardner's seven types of intelligence: spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, and logical-mathematical.
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is also considered.

Traditional vs. Alternative Assessment

Traditional assessment: one-shot, standardized exams, timed, multiple-choice format, decontextualized test items, and norm-referenced scores.
Alternative assessment: continuous, long-term, untimed, free-response format, contextualized feedback, and criterion-referenced scores.

Computer-Based Testing

Advantages: classroom-based, self-directed, individualized, and practice for standardized tests.
Disadvantages: lack of security, possibility of cheating, and no human scorer.

Unitary Trait Hypothesis

This hypothesis views language proficiency as an indivisible trait, and does not distinguish between discrete points of language.

Communicative Language Testing

Focuses on how language is used in real-life situations, and correspondence between language test performance and language use.
Includes authenticity of tasks, strategic competence, and pragmatic abilities.

Performance-Based Assessment

Involves oral production, written production, open-ended responses, integrated performance, group performance, and interactive tasks.
Has high content validity, but is time-consuming and expensive.