The Cambridge Guide to Second Language Assessment

by Coombe, Christine; Davidson, Peter; O'Sullivan, Barry; Stoynoff, Stephen

• ISBN13: 9781107677074
• ISBN10: 1107677076
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-01-30
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

This collection of original articles provides language teachers with a theoretical background of key issues associated with language testing as well as practical advice on how to improve the effectiveness of the tests they develop and implement. Written by internationally prominent researchers and educators, the chapters are organized into five sections: key issues in the field, assessment purposes and approaches, assessment of second language skills, technology in assessment, and administrative issues. Chapters assume no particular background knowledge and are written in an accessible style.

Table of Contents

Preface -

Key Issues

A brief history of language testing

Foreign/second language assessment literacy

Principles of language assessment

The assessment development process

Test Specifications

Linking assessment with instructional aims and learning

An overview of language standards for language learners

The common European framework of reference

Test impact and washback

Test-taking strategies Andrew

What teachers need to know about test analysis

Ethics in language testing and assessment Annie Brown

Professional development in language assessment

Assessment Purposes and Approaches

Choosing the right type of assessment

Communicative language testing

Alternative assessment in language education

Task-based language assessment

Authentic assessment

Placement testing

Assessing young learners

ESL assessment in the workplace

Student involvement in assessment through self and peer assessment

Assessment of second language pragmatics

Assessing Second

Assessing reading

Assessing writing Sara

Assessing listening

Assessing speaking

Assessing grammar

Assessing vocabulary

Technology in Assessment

Computerized language assessment

Web-based language assessment

Software to facilitate language assessment

Administrative Issues

Managing assessment in large EFL classes

Marking assessments (rubrics, rating scales)

Accommodation in language testing

Author/subject index

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