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LAL Resources v4

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19 views25 pages

LAL Resources v4

Uploaded by

blake2605
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Language assessment resources

A toolkit for teacher development


Overview

The resources suggested in these materials come


from a range of sources including:

• free websites
• books
• subscription-based journals
• examination boards
• organisations and networks.

Copyright: Matt Wright

2
Learning objectives

By the end of the materials you will be able to:

• find key sources of information on the topic


of language testing and assessment.

Copyright: Matt Wright

3
Websites

• The first section of these materials provides details


of websites dedicated to language assessment.

• The websites are free to use and no subscription is


required.

Copyright: Matt Wright

4
The British Council

• The British Council’s Language Assessment Literacy project


provides information and training for anyone who is interested in
issues of language assessment.

• Their resources include animated introductions which give you an


insight in to the main topics in Language Assessment.

• The animations are quick and easy to follow and cover a range of
topics including: test development, validity, assessing each of the
skills and assessing young learners.

• You can access the materials on the project web pages.

5
Language Testing Resources website

• The Language Testing Resources website is


designed and maintained by Professor
Glenn Fulcher from the University of
Leicester.
• The site contains a huge range of resources
on language assessment and includes video,
podcasts, reading lists, information about
relevant journals and links to many online
articles.
• This site is particularly useful for those
undertaking an academic course of study.
Copyright: Matt Wright
• Visit the Language Testing Resources
website.
6
CEFTrain project

• The CEFTrain Project is an excellent site for those interested in the


Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
(CEFR).

• It provides an overview of the CEFR and a training area in which


you can look at samples of students’ work and try to assess them
against CEFR levels. A commentary is then provided by the
CEFTrain team.

7
Books

• In the next few slides we recommend some useful


books on testing and assessment.

Copyright: Matt Wright

8
Practical Language Testing

Practical Language Testing by Glenn Fulcher

This book provides both a practical and theoretical introduction to key


issues in language assessment. Its aim is to provide teachers with the
knowledge, skills and understanding they need to design and use
tests effectively. Fulcher provides readers with a practical guide for
both designing classroom assessments, and evaluating and improving
existing assessments.

It is likely to be of interest to teachers seeking to develop their


practice, as well as those studying for academic qualifications.

9
The Cambridge Guide to Second
Language Assessment

The Cambridge Guide to Second Language Assessment


Edited by Coombe, C., Davidson, P., O’Sullivan, B., and Stoynoff, S.

This book focuses on ‘current approaches


and practices in the assessment of
foreign/second language performance’. It
covers a wide range of topics and helpfully
includes a list of suggested
reading/resources at the end of each
chapter, making it ideal for those who want
to research a specific topic in more detail.

10
Assessing Young Learners

Assessing Young Learners


By Sophie Ioannou-Georgiou

If you teach young learners, this book is


essential reading as it focuses on helping
teachers to engage with assessment in a
way which is age-appropriate for learners.

This book has a practical focus and comes


complete with photocopiable resources
which can be used to support your
assessment practices.

Copyrigh: Matt Wright

11
Assessing Young Language Learners

Assessing Young Language Learners


by Penny McKay

This book deals with the assessment of


young learners in both second and foreign
language contexts. As well as practical
guidelines, this book also discusses relevant
theoretical perspectives in some detail.

This is part of the Cambridge Language


Assessment series of books which contains
multiple titles related to assessment.

12
Journals

• Journals are an excellent source of up-to-date information and


research. In the next section, we list key journals in the field of
language teaching and assessment.

13
Language Testing

Language Testing is an international, peer-


reviewed journal which is published four
times a year.

The journal includes research on


assessment in both first and second
language contexts. It features research
related not just to classroom practice, but
also to wider issues such as testing theory,
policy and ethical issues in testing.

14
Language Testing in Asia

Language Testing in Asia is an online, peer-


reviewed journal which focuses specifically
on language testing and assessment in Asia.

Copyright: Matt Wright

15
English Language Teaching Journal

The ELT Journal is a peer-reviewed journal


which is published quarterly. Unlike the
other journals listed here, the ELT Journal
does not focus solely on assessment, but on
all aspects of English language
teaching. However, it is a popular
publication which regularly features articles
related to assessment and testing and
therefore warrants inclusion.

Copyright: Matt Wright

16
Organisations and networks

The following pages provide details of organisations


and networks.

Copyright: Matt Wright

17
ILTA

• The International Language Testing Association (ILTA) is an


international group of language testing and assessment scholars
and practitioners.

• The organisation aims to stimulate professional growth through


workshops and conferences and to promote dissemination of
information about language testing and related fields. The annual
conference draws practitioners and researchers from across the
globe.

18
The European Association for Language
Testing and Assessment (EALTA)

• The purpose of EALTA is to promote the


understanding of theoretical principles of
language testing and assessment, and
the improvement and sharing of testing
and assessment practices throughout
Europe.

• EALTA holds an annual conference and


organises training in language testing
through regional workshops; the creation
of reading lists and the development of
web-based distance courses. Copyright: Matt Wright

19
The International Association for Teachers
of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL)

• IATEFL is one of the largest English language


teaching (ELT) organisations in the world. Its work
does not focus specifically on assessment but
encompasses all aspects of ELT.

• IATEFL has 15 special interest groups, including


‘Testing, Evaluation and Assessment’ which allows
its members to connect with others who share an
interest in this field.

• Visit the TEASIG website.

20
EAQUALS

• EAQUALS is an international, independent, non-


profit membership association which serves the
interests of language learners and the language
education profession.

• The EAQUALS website has a useful section on the


the CEFR which includes the Core Inventory,
background resources, and training and
standardisation materials.

21
The Council of Europe

• The Council of Europe promotes linguistic


diversity and language learning in the field of
education.

• Its Language Policy Unit website has a range


of resources which are likely to be of interest
to teachers of all languages. The section on
the CEFR includes a range of resources
including a toolkit and a list of related
publications.
Copyright: Matt Wright
• Visit the web pages.

22
ALTE

• The Association of Language Testers in Europe


works to promote multilingualism across Europe,
and the globe. It supports organisations which
produce examinations and certification for
language learners and sets quality standards for
language assessment.

• The website includes details of its annual


conference and a wide range of testing and
assessment related resources.

23
Examination boards

The following organisations offer English


language exams. Their websites contain
information about the exams, as well as
resources for learners and teachers.

• Cambridge Assessment
• IELTS
• Pearson English Assessment
• TOEIC ETS
• Trinity College London

Copyright: Matt Wright

24
What next?

You have now finished these materials on


language assessment resources. We hope you
have found them useful and enjoyable. If you
are interested in learning more about
assessment, please look at our other materials
on:

• Assessing young learners


• Language assessment for teachers
• Assessment for Learning
• Assessing level and CEFR

Copyright: Matt Wright

25

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