Topic 3:
Approaches to
Language Testing
Dr. Premalatha Nair
IPGKBA
• What is language testing?
• The two important approaches to
Overview language testing
To make decisions
What is Represents an attempt
to provide objective
language data that can be used
testing? with subjective
impressions to make
better, more
defensible decisions
Types of educational
decisions
• Instructional decisions
• Grading decisions
• Diagnostic decisions
• Selection decisions
• Placement decisions
• Counselling and guidance
• Programme or curriculum
• Administrative policy
Ismeth is very excited today because
Integrative he is going to sit for the English test.
Approach The first section of the test requires
him to circle the irregular past tense.
The second section requires him to
use the answers in section A to form
five sentences. Ismeth is happy
because he has memorized all the
tenses taught in class.
Strengths
Now,
identify
the Weaknesse
following: s
• The traditional form of testing does
Based on the not guarantee students’ mastery of
the language and their ability to use
scenario… it in their daily lives.
• The test focusses on discrete
component of the language hence
ignoring the meaning and context
Example:
Como estas?
Muy bien, gracias.
• Pn. Sneha asks her students to listen to
the audio on ‘The Solar System’ quietly.
Scenario Next, she asks each student to write down
key words when the audio is played for
2 the second time. Based on the key words,
the students are then required to write an
essay on the given topic.
• What do you think of the
activities given by Pn Sneha?
First, listen to
the audio:
Listening skills
Next, writing
The essay: Writing
skills
process…
Focusses on the
understanding
of the topic:
Integration of
several parts of the
language elements
Now, what • Integration of various language skills
•
is Example: through dictation, a teacher
is able to test students’ spelling,
vocabulary, syntax
Integrative • Integrates knowledge of systematic
components of language (ex:
testing grammar and vocabulary) with an
understanding of the context
(McNamara, 2000)
approach?
This approach does
not view language as
an isolated
component but rather
linked to its context.
Integrative Meaning is
Approach considered
important
Measures
learners
competence
Cloze tests
Examples Dictation
of tests
Translation
essays
Flutcher and Davidson (2007) claim most
tests do not emphasize on the extent
knowledge on language is applied in a
meaningful communicative situation.
Communicative
Testing
Approach
Besides competence, teachers should focus
on performance since it resembles real life
situations
On how
language is
used in real
communication
Testing emphasizes
Focus the use of authentic
language based on
different situations
and different purposes
Lays more
emphasis on the
notion and
function (agreeing,
persuading..)
The
principles
of
testing…
• Process of obtaining information that
What is is used for making decisions about
Assessment? students, curricula and programs and
education policy.
Measurement?
• A procedure for assigning numbers (scores) to
specified attribute or characteristic of a person in
such a way that the numbers describe the degree
to which the person possesses the attribute
(Nitko, 1983)
Evaluation
Application of judgment or
values, concerning the result
of measurement or
unquantified observation
Assessment
• Ongoing process of gathering and analyzing
evidence of what a student can do
• All varieties of paper-pencil assessment, the
production of all kinds of products, and the
Tests exhibition of all sorts of skills, provided that
the work is done under controlled uniform
condition.
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses
of both the approaches.
Tutorial Task • Refer to GC for the task.
