Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Informational operations
Interactional operations
Length expressed in seconds or minutes or number of turns taken (for short utterances or
exchanges)
Dialects standard or non-standard varieties
Authenticity should contain such natural features as assimilation and elision (tend to increase
with speed of delivery), hesitation (pauses, fillers, etc.)
Other specifications intended audience, style, topics, range of grammar and vocabulary
SETTING THE TASKS
Language intended for NS authentic speech (readily found: radio, television, internet)
Recordings for the test as natural as possible (keep redundancy ~ What I mean to say is...)
avoid passages originally intended for reading
Keep items sufficiently far apart in the passage (be aware of danger of already passed answers)
SS ~ aware of key words in item and passage (item: the second point that the speaker makes;
passage: my second point is...)
Sufficient time allowed before listening to get familiar with the items
TECHNIQUES
Multiple choice Short and simple alternatives (keeping all in head while listening!)
Short answer Works with short and straightforward questions where the correct, preferably
unique, response is obvious.
Gap filling Should be used where a short answer question with a unique answer is not possible
ELL6411:
Language
Testing
Session
8
Dr.
Oksana
Afitska
Labelling of diagrams and pictures, completing forms, making diary entries, showing routs on
maps.
Note taking
Listening to lecture note taking first, then reading, and answering to the test items
Use passage from which notes can be taken successfully
ELL6411:
Language
Testing
Session
8
Dr.
Oksana
Afitska
Correct spelling is not required for a response to be scored (but it should not be just an attempt of
recognising sounds)
The gaps may be longer than one word
Transcription
MODERATING ITEMS
is essential
Either already recorded items or those read by the test writer as they should be spoken when
recorded
Moderators take the test and analyse items and their reactions to them
But if conditions are unequal in the room live presentation (with a single speaker for each - part
of a - test).
ELL6411:
Language
Testing
Session
8
Dr.
Oksana
Afitska
SCORING
Do not deduct points for errors of grammar or spelling (provided that it is clear that the correct
response was intended).
Douglas Brown, H. and P. Abeywickrama (2010) (2nd Ed). Language assessment: principles
and classroom practices. Chapter 6: Beyond Tests: Alternatives in assessment. London:
Pearson Education.
M. Patri (2002) The influence of peer feedback on self- and peer-assessment of oral skills.
Language Testing, 19 (2) 109131. [AVAILABLE ON MOLE]
ELL6411:
Language
Testing
Session
8
Dr.
Oksana
Afitska
HOMEWORK TASK
Design short items that attempt to discover whether candidates can recognise: sarcasm, surprise,
boredom, elation. Try these on your classmates and ask for their comments.
SEMINAR TASK 1
Design a test that requires candidates to draw (or complete) simple pictures. Decide exactly what
the test is measuring. Think what other things could be measured using this or similar techniques.
Administer the test and see if your classmates agree with you about what is being measured.