Item-writing considerations in creating instruments using Likert-type scales, according to Michael Busch, include semantics of labeling response choices and number of response categories. Jean Turner discusses problems regarding the use of Likert-scale questionnaires for L2 research, for instance the cultural background of language learners being…

Discusses the effects of age on second language acquisition, considering recent data and highlighting the misconceptions. Claims that proponents of the critical period hypothesis have misinterpreted research on speed of acquisition, misattributed age differences to neurobiological factors, and misemphasized poor language learners in research on…

Examines theoretical and practical issues in ESL testing including inadequacies of definitions of language proficiency with respect to test taker characteristics; empirical evidence in support of relationship between test taker characteristics and performance on language tests; and guidelines to dealing with test taker characteristics and language…

Presents study administered to Egyptian FL students to identify optimal combinations and weights of subscales of English language proficiency for predicting ESL proficiency while following constraints posed by syllabus. Results show error identification, grammar accuracy, vocabulary, and composition as best predictors. (Author/BK)

Anthony Bruton comments on Brown and Hudson's article "The Alternatives in Language Assessment," (v32 n4 Win 1998). Raises questions about some of their definitions and categories and suggests additional items that need to be considered by test takers. Brown and Hudson reply with clarifications of terms and definition of the scope of their paper.…

Examines the relative contributions of linguistic and strategic competence to the performance of international teaching assistants (ITAs) on a teaching task. Study one examines the relative contribution of language and teaching skills to overall test performance, and study two examines the effect of a one-semester training class on the retest…

Discusses the types of language tests that language teachers can use in their classrooms for their specific purposes. Language assessments are classified into three categories: selected-response assessments; constructed-response assessments; and personal-response assessments. A definition is provided for each assessment type, and advantages and…

Cloze tests are valid, reliable second language proficiency tests. This paper discusses the construction, administration, scoring and interpretation of cloze tests of overall language proficiency. Other uses of the cloze in ESL are mentioned. Finally an explanation of the cognitive processes in doing cloze tasks is offered. (CHK)

Examined the extent to which native-English speaking and English-as-a-Second-Language listeners performed better on a test when the speaker shared their native language. Four groups of listeners with different native languages heard lectures presented in English by speakers of different native languages. Both native and nonnative listeners scored…

Analyzes the challenges to constructing a professional identity faced by foreign-trained teachers enrolled in the Upgrading Pilot Program for Foreign-Trained Teachers developed by the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa. Implications for language education, language testing, professional identity, and policy making are discussed. (JL)

Discusses the rationale for, and end results of, a small-scale study of the effects of learners' creativity on language learning. The study was part of an ongoing, larger-scale project on individual differences at Eotvos University in Budapest, Hungary. (Author/VWL)

Examines metaphoric competence and its relationship to cognitive style and second language learning and teaching. Describes four measured aspects of metaphoric competence in participants' first and second language: originality of metaphor production; ability to find meaning in metaphor; speed in finding meaning in metaphor; and fluency of metaphor…

This article suggests criteria for evaluating listening comprehension tests. The weaknesses of typical test items are discussed and suggestions for new types of items are given. (CFM)

Reports the results of research investigating the effectiveness of three types of English-as-Second-Language (ESL) programs in Quebec. Equivalent ESL curricula were taught over the regular 10-month school year in "distributed" programs, over a 5-month period in "massed" programs, and over a 5-month period along with…