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Kucuk, Funda; Walters, JoDee – ELT Journal, 2009
This article reports on a study of the validity and reliability of tests administered in an EFL university setting. The study addresses the question of how well face validity reflects more objective measures of the quality of a test, such as predictive validity and reliability. According to some researchers, face validity, defined as the surface…
Descriptors: Language Tests, Test Validity, Achievement Tests, English (Second Language)
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Sunderland, Jane; And Others – ELT Journal, 1988
Evaluation of Chinese-speaking students' responses to a "Reporting Test" of oral proficiency in English as a foreign language indicated that the test may be valid and applicable for assessing oral proficiency. (CB)
Descriptors: Chinese, Communicative Competence (Languages), English (Second Language), Language Proficiency
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Matthews, Margaret – ELT Journal, 1990
Discusses problems with the current trend in using behavior trait-based criteria to assess English-as-a-Second-Language productivity skills, and describes alternatives to such testing that involve the matching of linguistic tasks against nonlinguistic criteria. (Author/CB)
Descriptors: Communicative Competence (Languages), English (Second Language), Evaluation Criteria, Language Proficiency
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Fulcher, Glenn – ELT Journal, 1987
Communicative oral language tests have claimed high content validity, but have also elicited concern that the assessment scales are based on theory with little empirical justification. A new approach to construct validity can be found in discourse analysis, which could lead to the development of new communicative discourse tests in all skills. (CB)
Descriptors: Communicative Competence (Languages), Construct Validity, Discourse Analysis, Language Proficiency
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Allison, Desmond; Webber, Richard – ELT Journal, 1984
Examines the case for performative testing of communication skills for purposes of academic study. Also, the merits and limitations of performance tests and communicative tests are considered in relation to reinforcing teaching and learning and selecting and recommending students for future courses of study. (SL)
Descriptors: Communicative Competence (Languages), English (Second Language), Language Tests, Second Language Instruction
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Traynor, Raymond – ELT Journal, 1985
Contends that the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) has some very serious defects. First, it does not test either the ability to speak or to write English. Second, it has strong cultural biases. Third, a relatively large number of right answers can be obtained by guesswork. (SED)
Descriptors: English (Second Language), Evaluation, Language Proficiency, Language Tests
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Buck, Gary – ELT Journal, 1989
Examination of the reliability and validity of paper-and-pencil pronunciation tests of English as a second language in Osaka (Japan) showed very low reliability. Correlations with more direct measures of pronunciation showed very low validity of written pronunciation tests. Sample tests are appended. (Author/CB)
Descriptors: English (Second Language), Foreign Countries, Higher Education, Language Tests
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Brown, David – ELT Journal, 1983
The validity of written cloze tests for measuring oral skills was evaluated by comparing cloze test scores with recorded interviews. It was concluded that the tests may be a good indirect measure of oral ability. The advantages of these tests include ease of construction, administration, and scoring. (MSE)
Descriptors: Cloze Procedure, Communicative Competence (Languages), Comparative Analysis, English (Second Language)
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Caudery, Tim – ELT Journal, 1990
An examination found no significant differences between timed- and untimed-essay test scores of adolescent students of English as a Second Language. Results suggest that there is a need for more expansive research regarding sample size and age, different time limits, students' educational backgrounds, writing skill training, communicative aims,…
Descriptors: English (Second Language), Essay Tests, Language Proficiency, Language Research
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Shohamy, Elana; And Others – ELT Journal, 1986
Describes a study of the development of a new oral proficiency test which could replace the existing English as a Foreign Language Oral Matriculation test in Israel. The deficiencies of the existing Oral Matriculation test are specified, and the components of the experimental test are described. (Author/SED)
Descriptors: Communicative Competence (Languages), Comparative Testing, English (Second Language), Foreign Countries
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Harlech-Jones, Brian – ELT Journal, 1983
In a study of the vocabulary proficiency of some South African ESL teacher trainees, the General Service List of English Words' validity was evaluated. It was found that mastery of this list would meet most of the vocabulary needs of the test group. Recommendations are made for practical uses of word counts. (MSE)
Descriptors: English (Second Language), Foreign Nationals, Language Proficiency, Language Teachers
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Tomlinson, Brian – ELT Journal, 2005
This article advocates making the provision of opportunities for learning the main objective of language testing. It recognizes the need for tests to be fair, valid, and reliable, but asserts the priority of what it calls "learning validity", in order to prevent time being wasted on language courses on tests, and the preparation for them. The…
Descriptors: Test Validity, Testing, Language Tests, Second Language Learning